Stainless Steel Access Hardware

Materials & Grades:

At Metrol, our stainless steel access hardware products are either grade 316 or 304. 

Stainless Steel 316: This is generally made up of chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and carbon. Heat resistance is present in continuous temperatures of up to 925°c and has a melting point ranging from 1375-1400°c. This feature makes stainless steel 316 perfect for applications in extremely hot environments – examples of this include the chemical and food processing industries. 

Stainless steel 304: This is typically made from chromium, nickel, iron, and possibly other elements such as silicon, carbon, and manganese. Grade 304 has the same tensile and yield strength as 316, meaning it is just as strong. With a melting point between 1400-1450° c, and heat resistance in continuous temperatures of up to 925°c, grade 304 has similar thermal properties to 316. 

Corrosion Resistance:

Stainless steel 316 provides excellent corrosion resistance against chlorides and it withstands oxidation. Due to these properties, stainless steel 316 is often used in the marine (hardware and fittings for boats), medical (hinges, locks, handles on cabinets), and chemical processing (hardware on equipment) industries, as it can be sterilised and perform well under heavy use and wet conditions.

Stainless steel 304 has great corrosion resistance in mild environments – however, it is susceptible to corrosion when exposed to high amounts of chloride, particularly when the temperature is higher than 60°c. Stainless steel 304 has similar oxidation resistance to grade 316 – therefore preventing degradation of the metal.

Customisation & Special Orders:

Get in touch with our team for keyed differently locks or any other customisations you’d like to make.

FAQs

What are the benefits of using stainless steel access hardware?

Stainless steel access hardware requires minimal upkeep due to its resistance to corrosion and discolouration. This benefits specific industries such as marine and transport as the product can be installed and used repeatedly without requiring constant maintenance. Another advantage of choosing this material for your access hardware solutions is that it can be sterilised – this is essential for applications in the medical industry. 

Are Metrol’s stainless steel products suitable for marine environments?

Yes, our stainless steel 316 products will be best suited for marine environments due to their highly corrosion resistant properties. In particular, grade 316 would be the ideal choice due to its ability to resist chloride corrosion and oxidation.

How do I know if stainless steel is the right material for my application?

If your application’s environment is chloride-rich, has high temperatures, or needs to be sterile, it is recommended to consider a product made from one of our available stainless steel grades.

Benefits of Stainless Steel Hardware:

• Highly corrosion resistant
• Durable
• Perfect for marine and transport sectors
• Aesthetically pleasing option 
• Requires little to no maintenance
• Designed to last for long-term usage outdoors or indoors
• Hygienic, making it suitable for medical and food processing industries. 

Metrol offer stainless steel access hardware in both grade 304 and 316 – providing different levels of corrosion resistance. Locks, latches, hinges, cams, handles, and cover stays are all products we sell that are made from stainless steel. If your application is in marine, food processing, medical, or outdoor industries, consider choosing Metrol Springs for your stainless steel hardware that will perform in highly demanding environments. 

Industries:

Marine – stainless steel locks, latches, hinges, and handles may be used for underwater components and hatches.

Transport – locks, latches, hinges, and handles can be used in enclosures to grant access to storage compartments.

Agriculture – in processing machinery, stainless steel hinges can be used on the equipment doors.

Food & Beverage – stainless steel hardware can be sterilised making it a great option for this environment. Hinges on oven doors and handles on drawers are some examples of where hardware can be used in the food industry.

Pharmaceutical - since stainless steel can be sterilised, it would be beneficial to have hinges, latches and handles, made from stainless steel, on doors and cabinets in medical industries. This will prevent contamination of products.

Contact us for more information:

Contact us for guidance on custom solutions, or to discuss any further details regarding stainless steel access hardware, or any of our other products.