Material & Grade Guide
Material & Grade Guide
Grade and material decide how much load a fastener can carry and how well it stands up to its environment. This guide compares the common steel grades, stainless families, and non-ferrous options so you can spec with confidence.
Low Carbon Steel
Ductile, easy to form, and economical. The workhorse behind most standard hardware. Strength is modest, so it is typically plated for corrosion resistance.
Medium Carbon Steel, Grade 5 (SAE J429)
Heat-treated for medium strength near 120,000 psi tensile. A dependable step up from low carbon for automotive and machinery joints.
Alloy Steel, Grade 8 (SAE J429)
Quenched and tempered to roughly 150,000 psi tensile for high-strength, high-load joints. The go-to for structural and heavy equipment work.
ASTM A307
General-purpose structural bolts in low carbon steel, rated near 60,000 psi. A common, cost-effective choice for non-critical structural connections.
ASTM A193 B7 and A194 2H
Alloy steel built for high-temperature and high-pressure service, such as flange studs and nuts in piping and petrochemical systems.
Stainless 18-8 / 304
The general stainless grade. Strong corrosion resistance, largely non-magnetic, and a clean appearance for indoor, outdoor, and wet environments.
Stainless 316
Marine-grade stainless. The added molybdenum gives superior resistance to chlorides and salt, making it the choice for coastal and chemical exposure.
Stainless 410
A hardenable martensitic stainless that can be heat-treated for higher strength. Common on stainless self-drilling and self-tapping screws.
Brass, Silicon Bronze, and Aluminum
Non-ferrous options for specific needs. Brass offers corrosion resistance with a clean, non-magnetic look; silicon bronze excels in marine work; aluminum is light.
| Material / Grade | Tensile Strength | Corrosion Resistance | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Carbon Steel | Low | Low (plated) | General hardware |
| Grade 5 / Medium Carbon | ~120 ksi | Low (plated) | Automotive, machinery |
| Grade 8 / Alloy Steel | ~150 ksi | Low (plated) | Structural, heavy equipment |
| ASTM A307 | ~60 ksi | Low (plated) | General structural |
| A193 B7 / A194 2H | High | Moderate | High temp and pressure |
| Stainless 18-8 / 304 | Moderate | High | Indoor, outdoor, wet |
| Stainless 316 | Moderate | Very high | Marine, coastal, chemical |
| Stainless 410 | High (hardened) | Moderate | Self-drilling stainless |
| Brass / Bronze / Aluminum | Low to moderate | High | Marine, electrical, light weight |
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