Make sure you choose the right stainless steel grade!
Depending on the industrial application (lifting, oil research, transport, automotive, parachuting), it is essential to choose the correct grade of stainless steel in order to meet the requirements expected by professionals. Both the life span of the part and the safety of the people using it will depend on the correct choice of stainless steel.
At Wichard, we use various categories of stainless steel, plus titanium:
- Stainless steel 316L or 18.12 Mo (austenitic steel)
- Stainless steel 17.4 PH - or HR High strength (martensitic steel)
- Duplex stainless steel (austenitic-ferritic steel)
- Titanium (TA6V)
316L stainless steel is used in industrial applications where corrosion resistance and mechanical strength (e.g. lifting, safety connectors) are essential.
17.4 PH stainless steel is selected for applications requiring higher mechanical strength than 316L. Due to its lower corrosion resistance, it is not recommended for prolonged use underwater.
DUPLEX stainless steel is a new grade of stainless steel which offers the mechanical strength of 17.4 PH stainless steel and the corrosion resistance of 316L, so it is a good compromise.
Finally, titanium is mainly used for its light weight and high resistance to corrosion (e.g. lifting in corrosive environments).
To meet most industrial customer requirements, Wichard shackles are available in three grades: 316L, 17.4 PH and titanium.
Fastening equipment (eye straps, U-bolts, eye bolts and eye nuts) are generally forged from 316L stainless steel, as are carabiners and adjusters.
At Wichard, 17.4 PH stainless steel is widely used in our snap shackle ranges (snap shackles, quick opening snap shackles, trigger snap shackes) as well as in the swivel ranges.
Top tip: how do you know which is 316L and which is HR stainless steel? 17.4 PH (HR) stainless steel is magnetic, so you can use a magnet to check.