- Huyett Marketing Department
- 09/27/2019
No matter what you are engineering or repairing, knowing whether to specify stainless steel or carbon steel fasteners for your application depends on how they will be used as well as what environment they will be used in. The following comparison between the two will help you determine which is the best choice for you.
Stainless vs. Carbon Steel
Before we can compare the benefits of stainless steel and carbon steel fasteners, we have to take a closer look at the materials…
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel is one of the most widely used types of steel in the world. This material is the face of our household appliances, medical equipment, and food service accessories. It is also used in places that may not be as apparent to the untrained eye such as under the hood of your car, in the production of heavy industrial equipment, and in the construction of high impact buildings.
Stainless steel is so widely used because it is tough, flexible, and easily maintained. The versatile alloy metal is made up of a maximum 1.2% carbon and a minimum of 11% chromium by mass. Unlike iron, chromium doesn’t oxidize, so stainless steel resists corrosion or rusting.
Carbon Steel
Carbon steel is widely used because it is easily machined and relatively inexpensive due to its higher composition of affordable elements in iron and carbon. Carbon steel is classified as steel with 1.2% - 2.1% carbon, and a maximum of 1.65% manganese, 0.60% silicon, and 0.6% copper by mass. As the carbon percentage rises, the steel becomes harder and stronger, but also less ductile meaning it is more likely to crack then bend when placed under high tensile stress.
Unlike stainless steel, carbon steel is much more susceptible to rust and corrosion, making the metal more difficult to maintain in hydraulic applications and wet environments. To combat issues with rust and corrosion, carbon steel can be galvanized with a corrosion-resistant liquid zinc coating, plated with a non-corrosive metal, or protected with a layer of oil or paint.
Stainless Steel vs Carbon Steel Fasteners
Huyett manufactures and distributes over 700 fastener lines and over 165,000 unique SKUs, so we understand that selecting the right fasteners for your application can be a daunting process. The first thing to consider when choosing the right material for your key stock, pins, retaining rings, grease fittings or other fasteners is the environment they will be exposed to and the amount of strength that will be required by the process in question.
Choose Stainless Steel Fasteners For:
- Components exposed to corrosive environments such as saltwater or chemicals
- Hydraulic applications such as:
- Car braking systems
- Power steering
- Heavy lifting machinery
- Medical equipment – specifically grade 440 (surgical) and grade 316 (biomedical)
The two most common series of stainless-steel fasteners are:
- The 300 series, which contains the most widely used types of stainless-steel fasteners – grade 304 and grade 316. These are often selected for projects because they feature high tensile strength and superior corrosion resistance due to the relatively high chromium and nickel content. Grade 300 steel fasteners are most common in areas with higher levels of interaction with chemicals or moisture. 304 Stainless Steel, for example, is commonly used in food processing operations while 316 Stainless Steel, has superior corrosion resistance and is more suitable for marine grade applications.
- And, the 400 series – including grade 409, 410, 430, and 440 – which are made with all chromium and no nickel, so they are slightly less corrosion resistant than the 300 series, but they are able to be hardened through heat treating. For this reason, 400 series stainless steel fasteners are used where additional strength is necessary.
Choose Carbon Steel Fasteners For:
- Applications in regions that are dry or experience low humidity and rain
- High volume machine parts such as:
- Shafts
- Spindles
- Sprocket assemblies
- High-pressure and high-heat structural applications such as:
- Engine mounts
- Landing gears
- Power transmissions
There are three main classifications of carbon steel: Low (or mild) carbon steel is the most widely produced and generally contain less than 0.30% carbon. Medium carbon steel has carbon concentrations between 0.31% and 0.6% which helps to increase load bearing ability and wearability. And high carbon steel has a carbon range above 0.61%, making the metal hard, brittle, and useful for areas with intense pressure or heat, such as valves and pressure vessels. An added benefit to carbon steels with carbon contents above 0.30% is that they have the ability to be direct or through hardened.
Another factor to consider when choosing your fasteners is cost. Carbon steel fasteners are generally less expensive than stainless steel fasteners due to the variety of alloying elements found in stainless steel including nickel, chromium, and manganese. If your fasteners will be placed in a non-corrosive environment, the lower cost carbon steel fasteners may be the way to go to keep your project under budget.
Where to Source Wholesale Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel Fasteners
Huyett is a leading manufacturer and distributor for a wide range of industrial fasteners. No matter what you are building or engineering, you can trust that Huyett will have the right parts for your project. Our vast product line contains both stainless steel and carbon steel fasteners – among others of the hard to find variety. If you can’t find the part you need in the material that you are looking for, we are also the best source you’ll find for custom products, with in-house manufacturing, engineering support, and more. In addition, our low quantity minimums, streamlined online purchasing process, and our fast delivery are unmatched in the industry. When you need fasteners,
contact Huyett first!
