Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

-----

Is A4 hardware okay? If not, can I get metric 316L ?

2007

I am looking for several different metric fasteners for a major project we are working on. We are dealing with a system that will be submersed in chlorinated water permanently. Our design team has requested 316L hardware as a minimum, and everyone keeps coming back with A4.
I need a range from M10 to M24, 40mm to 200mm long, and all the associated washers, nuts, etc. I am talking a couple thousand pieces here, and I need to start getting some of these ASAP.

The suppliers we have contacted keep telling us A4, but it is difficult to establish if they are doing this because it is better, or just because that is what they have and they are not listening to the project needs.

Jay Boychuk
Applications/buyer - Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

Technically, A5 according to ISO 3506 has a composition equivalent to Type 316L. A4 is equivalent to Type 316. Depending on the chloride concentration, the application may require something with better corrosion resistance than A4 or A5. Bufab Stainless offers a number of stainless steels other than A4, with their products being distributed in North America by SPS.

Toby Padfield
Automotive module supplier - Michigan
2007