When it comes to outdoor projects, the best choice of fastener material is often stainless steel. These screws feature special properties that make them able to withstand harsh outdoor elements, such as rain and snow. These properties also make them an ideal choice for building and fixing a wide variety of items, from decks to lawn decorations. Stainless steel screws are available in a range of sizes and styles to meet all your project needs, from home improvement to commercial construction.
Stainless steel is an iron-based metal that contains at least 10% chromium. This element is what gives it its resistance to corrosion and other environmental factors that can deteriorate other types of metals, such as galvanized zinc. In addition to chromium, stainless steel alloys typically contain other metals, such as carbon, silicon, nickel, manganese, and molybdenum. These additional metals are what give stainless steel its other remarkable qualities, such as strength and hardness.
The high tensile strength of stainless steel is one of the reasons it is such an ideal choice for outdoor applications. Stainless steel can withstand forces up to 150,000 tensile pounds per square inch (PSI), while screws made from galvanized steel can only hold up to 62,000 PSI. In terms of durability, stainless steel also outperforms galvanized screws when it comes to resisting cracking and splitting.
Another reason to consider stainless steel screws for your next outdoor project is that they can be used in most types of wood. Unlike other types of fastener materials, such as bronze or brass, stainless steel is strong enough to withstand the vibrations caused by heavy equipment and machinery that could otherwise damage these types of wood.
Many homeowners and commercial builders choose to use stainless steel screws in their projects because they can be used with a wider array of tools than other kinds of fasteners. Stainless steel is compatible with most common power drills and can be driven by standard wrenches, making it an excellent choice for projects that require a lot of drilling. Additionally, this type of fastener can be weldable, which makes it even more versatile.
A common question that people have about stainless steel screws is whether or not they are stronger than plated steel options, such as those coated with zinc or nickel. While these plated fasteners offer some benefits, they cannot stand up to the rigors of an outdoor environment, as they will corrode much faster than stainless steel. In the long run, any money saved by using plated fasteners will be lost as they need to be replaced more regularly.
Stainless steel screws, on the other hand, are durable and cost-effective in the long run. While they may be more expensive than plated options at the time of purchase, their ability to withstand harsh weather conditions makes them worth the investment in the long run. In the future, ongoing research and development will continue to improve these fasteners, creating innovative alloys that offer greater strength, toughness, and resistance to challenging conditions.
