What Are Some Uses for Stainless Steel Bolts?

Stainless steel hex bolts represent a combination of two of the most significant refinements known to the engineering world. We'll look at both of these accomplishments separately, then list and describe some of the applications that their existence has enabled.

Development of Hex Head Bolts

The hex bolt was developed decades before the process for stainless steel was developed and became the bolt of choice during the Industrial Revolution of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Before the hex bolts creation, square-head bolts were commonly used, as they were easier to make and use with the metals, tools and technology of the time. Square-head bolts required less machining and less accurate tolerances. A wrench could be used that didn't fit the bolt exactly, but it would be sufficient to enable tightening by hand.

Between 1856 and 1876, a British metallurgist named Sir Henry Bessemer developed what would be called the Bessemer process, a method of producing cheap steel that could be used for everyday applications. This paved the way for bolts to be mass-produced, and the old square-head bolts gave way to hex-head bolts that could be packed more densely and shipped in larger quantities.
The new hex bolts were soon discovered to offer even more advantages by the factories and manufacturing plants that used them.

These new bolts offered more angles of attack for tools to grab onto the facets of the bolts, and many tools were developed specifically to be used with hex bolts. Managers noticed they significantly speeded up the processes of manufacturing.

The bolts started to be used in a greater variety of applications as companies saw the financial benefits of using cheaper mass-produced bolts that were faster to install.

What is Stainless Steel?

By 1913, the Industrial Revolution was making technological inroads in many countries, but rust and corrosion were still hampering the development of many applications. A British researcher named Harry Brearley, who was working for a small arms manufacturer, set out to create a type of steel that kept gun barrels from rusting and eroding quickly.

He began experimenting with steel alloys that contained varying amounts of chromium and other elements. In August of 1913, Brearley created an alloy of 12.8% chromium and 0.24% carbon, the first truly stainless steel. Many people, having no concept of the benefits or applications of a metal that resisted all forms of corrosion, asked what is stainless steel and how could it be used? They soon found out about the universal benefits it provided.

Stainless steel was one of the most important discoveries in metallurgy. It enabled screw and bolt fasteners to be used indoors or outdoors in all types of hot and cold weather and withstand salt, rust, and many forms of chemical corrosion. When the versatility of the hex bolt was combined with the resistance to rust and corrosion that stainless steel was capable of, the stainless-steel hex bolt quickly became the most used fastener in the world.

Many Indoor and Outdoor Applications

As experimentation with the new stainless steel continued to reveal the superior resistance to corrosion of the metal, more applications were found for its use. Today, the shipbuilding and marine industry, as well as the industrial food industry, practically couldn’t exist without the benefits provided by the many uses of stainless-steel bolts. Many other industries and applications also benefit from stainless steel hex bolts, including:

• Chemical Processing. Chemical reactors, storage tanks, pipes, and valves require high resistance to chemical corrosion.
• Agricultural equipment requires machinery to withstand weather and the corrosive properties of pesticides and soil additives.
• Medical and Healthcare equipment needs resistance to corrosion, easy sterilization, and high strength.
• Outdoor construction and architecture require all-weather resistance in a variety of climates.
• Automotive and Aerospace applications require high-temperature resistance and durability.
• Water treatment and wastewater facilities require corrosion and all-weather protection.
• The oil and gas industry requires outdoor equipment and valves, and fixtures to be able to withstand harsh environments and chemical corrosion.
• Renewable energy. Solar panels, wind turbines, and other outdoor renewable energy projects require high resistance to rust and corrosion to make the projects cost-efficient.
• Electrical and electronic equipment requires corrosion resistance and mechanical stability.
• Railway tracks and infrastructure require resistance to exposure to a variety of weather conditions and must be able to tolerate heavy loads.

These are just a sample of the many applications and industries that excel because of the hex bolt and stainless steel combination.

Order Stainless-steel Hex Bolts Online

In Thailand, Nejireo.com offers a variety of quality stainless-steel hex bolts you can order online for delivery anywhere in Thailand. Our hex bolts are manufactured to Japanese Industrial Standards (JIL) and are suitable for any application requiring a high level of resistance to temperatures, weather, and corrosion. Order your quality stainless-steel hex bolts today.