Cart is empty We only use Marine Grade 316 Stainless steel (A4). The higher nickel content in our 316SS alloys makes them more corrosion resistant than the 304SS (A2) and 18-8 alternatives. If you are planning to use fasteners that will be exposed to marine environments or other corrosive conditions, upgrading from 304SS to 316SS is worth the investment.
Large box stores often sell inferior stainless steels that are simply labeled “stainless”, without naming the metal. The fasteners sold in big box stores are most likely not the same 316SS alloy that is required for marine fasteners. Fair Wind Fasteners sells only fasteners and metal alloys we would personally use. Stainless Steel Nuts and Bolts