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The type and grade of stainless steel fasteners that you invest in will determine just how corrosion resistant they are and of course how durable and long lasting you can expect it to be. Whether you are buying nuts, bolts, nails and screws, rivets and pins or anchoring systems, you must take the environment into consideration.
Professionals must know what the difference is between 18-8 vs 304 vs 316-grade stainless steel. We’re going to help simplify it for you. Here’s what you need to know about each of these grades:

18-8 grade stainless steel
This refers to the 300 series of stainless steel with a chromium and nickel content in percentages. That means that an 18-8 grade fastener has 18% chromium and 8% nickel content. 18-8 type stainless steel has better resistance to corrosion than the 400 series. It can be hardened by only cold working and isn’t magnetic.

304 stainless steel
This is a basic alloy. It cannot be heat hardened and is also non-magnetic. While this grade of stainless steel won’t rust, it will tarnish and has a strong resistance to the effect of various chemicals and acids. It is commonly used for sinks, pots, pans, tables and similar. As such, 304 stainless steel is very often used in the dairy and brewing industries.

316 stainless steel
This product offers high tensile strength and has a corrosion resistance that can withstand harsh environments. It is also non-magnetic and must be hardened through cold working. The difference between type 304 and 316 stainless steel is the incorporation of molybdenum of up to 3%. This grade of stainless steel is commonly used in the surgical industry, paper pulp industry and in the production of dyes and chemicals.

Find all the fasteners you need at our Fasteners

Choosing the correct grade of stainless steel is essential to ensuring that your product is of the right quality and that no damage is experienced along the way. Now that you know the difference between 18-8, 304 and 316-grade stainless steel, you can make a better choice for your application in terms of fasteners. Contact us via email or telephone for more information and advice on our stainless steel fasteners at our Fasteners today.

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