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When it comes to manufacturing high-performance fasteners, stainless steel remains one of the most versatile and reliable materials available. But not all stainless steels are the same. Different grades offer distinct advantages in strength, corrosion resistance, formability, and cost.
If you’re an OEM or engineer selecting fasteners for production or assembly, understanding these differences can help you choose the right material for performance and value.
This guide breaks down the most common stainless steel grades used for fasteners, explains the difference between the 300 and 400 series, and includes a comparison chart you can reference for future projects.
300 Series (Austenitic Stainless Steel)
400 Series (Martensitic and Ferritic Stainless Steel)
Ideal for applications requiring strength, wear resistance, or magnetic properties rather than extreme corrosion protection.
302 is very similar to 304 but has slightly higher carbon content, which increases strength and hardness after cold working.
Advantages:
Springs, wire forms, and fasteners that require higher tensile strength.
The industry standard for stainless fasteners. The term 18-8 refers to its composition: approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel.
Advantages:
General-purpose fasteners in automotive, machinery, and light industrial use.
316 contains 2–3% molybdenum, which provides superior resistance to chlorides and harsh chemicals.
Advantages:
Marine, medical, food processing, and outdoor industrial applications.
A martensitic stainless that can be heat-treated for strength and hardness.
Advantages:
Automotive components, pump parts, and heavy-duty fasteners.
A ferritic stainless with moderate corrosion resistance and good ductility.
Advantages:
Indoor, decorative, or non-structural applications.
A precipitation-hardened stainless steel that offers a strong combination of corrosion resistance and high strength. Often used in aerospace and demanding industrial environments.
Advantages:
Aerospace fasteners, high-load structural components, and precision springs.
Similar to 17-7 but with slightly different aluminum and nickel content for enhanced performance at elevated temperatures.
Advantages:
Aerospace, defense, and high-performance mechanical assemblies.
Choosing the right stainless steel grade is only half the equation. Consistent sourcing and quality assurance matter just as much. At Blue Ribbon Fastener, we supply OEMs with a full range of stainless fasteners across all major grades and specifications. Our technical team helps you identify the ideal balance of cost, performance, and corrosion resistance for your unique application.
Contact Blue Ribbon Fastener today to discuss your stainless steel fastener needs or request a quote from our OEM supply team.
If you’re an OEM or engineer selecting fasteners for production or assembly, understanding these differences can help you choose the right material for performance and value.
This guide breaks down the most common stainless steel grades used for fasteners, explains the difference between the 300 and 400 series, and includes a comparison chart you can reference for future projects.
Why Stainless Steel for Fasteners?
Stainless steel fasteners are known for their ability to resist corrosion, maintain strength in extreme environments, and deliver consistent performance over long lifespans. Key benefits include:- Corrosion resistance in moisture, chemicals, and salt environments
- Strength and toughness across a wide temperature range
- Aesthetic appeal with a clean, modern finish
- Low maintenance and long service life
Understanding Stainless Steel Series
Before diving into specific grades, it’s helpful to understand the main stainless steel series used in fasteners:300 Series (Austenitic Stainless Steel)
- Contains chromium and nickel
- Non-magnetic (except when cold worked)
- Excellent corrosion resistance and formability
- Commonly used grades: 302, 303, 304, 305, 316
400 Series (Martensitic and Ferritic Stainless Steel)
- Contains chromium but little or no nickel
- Magnetic
- Higher strength and hardness, lower corrosion resistance
- Commonly used grades: 410, 420, 430
Ideal for applications requiring strength, wear resistance, or magnetic properties rather than extreme corrosion protection.
Common Stainless Steel Grades Used for Fasteners
302 Stainless Steel
Overview:302 is very similar to 304 but has slightly higher carbon content, which increases strength and hardness after cold working.
Advantages:
- Good corrosion resistance and formability
- Slightly higher tensile strength than 304
- Cost-effective alternative for general applications
Springs, wire forms, and fasteners that require higher tensile strength.
304 / 18-8 Stainless Steel
Overview:The industry standard for stainless fasteners. The term 18-8 refers to its composition: approximately 18% chromium and 8% nickel.
Advantages:
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Non-magnetic
- Easy to machine and form
- Widely available and economical
General-purpose fasteners in automotive, machinery, and light industrial use.
316 Stainless Steel
Overview:316 contains 2–3% molybdenum, which provides superior resistance to chlorides and harsh chemicals.
Advantages:
- Outstanding corrosion resistance in marine or chemical environments
- Retains strength at high temperatures
- Long-term durability in saltwater exposure
Marine, medical, food processing, and outdoor industrial applications.
410 Stainless Steel
Overview:A martensitic stainless that can be heat-treated for strength and hardness.
Advantages:
- High tensile strength
- Moderate corrosion resistance
- Cost-effective in dry or low-moisture environments
Automotive components, pump parts, and heavy-duty fasteners.
430 Stainless Steel
Overview:A ferritic stainless with moderate corrosion resistance and good ductility.
Advantages:
- Economical
- Resistant to mild corrosion and oxidation
- Magnetic
Indoor, decorative, or non-structural applications.
17-7 PH Stainless Steel
Overview:A precipitation-hardened stainless steel that offers a strong combination of corrosion resistance and high strength. Often used in aerospace and demanding industrial environments.
Advantages:
- High tensile and yield strength after heat treatment
- Good corrosion resistance (similar to 304)
- Excellent fatigue resistance
Aerospace fasteners, high-load structural components, and precision springs.
15-7 PH Stainless Steel
Overview:Similar to 17-7 but with slightly different aluminum and nickel content for enhanced performance at elevated temperatures.
Advantages:
- High strength and hardness
- Better performance in high-heat environments
- Maintains stability after heat treatment
Aerospace, defense, and high-performance mechanical assemblies.
Stainless Steel Fastener Comparison Chart
| Grade | Type / Series | Corrosion Resistance | Strength / Hardness | Magnetic | Typical Uses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 302 | 300 Series (Austenitic) | Excellent | High (cold worked) | Slight | Springs, wire forms, general fasteners |
| 304 / 18-8 | 300 Series (Austenitic) | Excellent | Moderate | Non-magnetic | General-purpose OEM fasteners |
| 316 | 300 Series (Austenitic) | Superior (chlorides, chemicals) | Moderate | Non-magnetic | Marine, food, chemical |
| 410 | 400 Series (Martensitic) | Fair | High (heat-treated) | Magnetic | Automotive, mechanical |
| 430 | 400 Series (Ferritic) | Good (mild) | Moderate | Magnetic | Decorative, light duty |
| 17-7 PH | Precipitation-Hardening | Excellent | Very High | Slight | Aerospace, high-load |
| 15-7 PH | Precipitation-Hardening | Excellent | Very High (high-temp) | Slight | Aerospace, high-temp components |
Choosing the Right Stainless Steel for Your Application
| Environment / Requirement | Recommended Grade |
|---|---|
| General-purpose, cost-efficient | 304 / 18-8 |
| Marine or chemical exposure | 316 |
| High strength and hardness | 410, 17-7, or 15-7 |
| Decorative or low-moisture | 430 |
| High-temperature performance | 15-7 PH |
Partner with a Trusted Stainless Steel Fastener Distributor
Choosing the right stainless steel grade is only half the equation. Consistent sourcing and quality assurance matter just as much. At Blue Ribbon Fastener, we supply OEMs with a full range of stainless fasteners across all major grades and specifications. Our technical team helps you identify the ideal balance of cost, performance, and corrosion resistance for your unique application.Contact Blue Ribbon Fastener today to discuss your stainless steel fastener needs or request a quote from our OEM supply team.