Stainless steel rivets are an ideal fastener for products and applications in a harsh, corrosion-prone environment. Stainless steel is perfect for use in marine environments as well as most food industry applications because stainless steel rivets will not rust or otherwise corrode in such a way as to contaminate the food or other consumables being produced or packaged. Located in Canton, MA, Electronic Fasteners offers a selection of these rivets that provide many features and benefits, including:
- Long-term value
- Impact resistance
- Ease of fabrication
- Corrosion resistance
- Strength-to-weight advantage
- Optimal hygienic characteristics
Stainless over other Materials
What exactly is stainless and why is it such a versatile and dependable alloy? Stainless steel is a generic name given to a wide range of corrosion-resistant steel alloys. These alloys can contain a number of elements including chromium, nickel, iron, manganese, silicon, carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, molybdenum, titanium, niobium, copper, tungsten, and vanadium. When the proportions of these materials are changed, the characteristics of the resultant alloy change.
Stainless steel rivets are made of low-carbon steel containing at least 10.5% chromium by weight. Chromium gives the steel its anti-corrosion property by allowing the formulation of an invisible chromium-oxide film on its surface which is known as a passive layer. This layer or film can self-repair if damaged mechanically or chemically when it has available oxygen, even in small quantities. The corrosion resistance of stainless rivets may be enhanced by increasing the chromium content together with the addition of other elements to the alloy such as nickel, molybdenum, and titanium.
While stainless steel rivets are corrosion-resistant, they are NOT corrosion-proof. Corrosion can occur if the rivets are installed or mishandled. The corrosion may be limited to visual damage or more serious, such as pitting or crevice corrosion, leading to functional loss of the alloy and ultimately the steel rivets. Corrosion of the stainless steel can be the result of various factors but typically it is caused by a lack of available oxygen which prevents the formation of the natural and self-repairing barrier of chromium-oxide on the surface. The use of tools and drills made from conventional steel during the installation of stainless steel fasteners may also lead to problems. Even the hardest of tools can produce debris that leaves minute steel particles on the stainless rivet surfaces or in pre-drilled holes. It is these particles that often rust when exposed to moisture or oxygen and can result in a stained or tarnished finish to the stainless steel material.
To learn more about stainless steel rivets, contact the rivet specialists at Electronic Fasteners. Our team can help you identify the right rivets and materials for your project requirements.
