A2 Stainless Steel (ISO 3506 group A2 (304 / 1.4301), commonly supplied A2-70) is the most common stainless group for indoor and general outdoor fasteners. Specified on bicycle general threaded fasteners it determines the corrosion behaviour (good general corrosion resistance) and the service temperature range (approx. -200 °C to +400 °C, subject to the property class and the joint); the dimensions are ours rather than a standard's, and are listed in full below.
Why Choose A2 Stainless Steel for Bicycle General Threaded Fasteners
The most common stainless group for indoor and general outdoor fasteners. For bicycle general threaded fasteners, this matters when good general corrosion resistance is the primary requirement.
Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Grade designation | ISO 3506 group A2 (304 / 1.4301), commonly supplied A2-70 |
|---|---|
| Magnetic response | Largely non-magnetic |
| Service temperature | approx. -200 °C to +400 °C, subject to the property class and the joint |
| Corrosion characteristic | Good general corrosion resistance |
Corrosion Behavior in Service
A2 (304) gives excellent atmospheric and most-water corrosion resistance and is the most common stainless for Bicycle General Threaded Fasteners in indoor and general outdoor service. In chloride-bearing environments (marine air, road salt, swimming pools) consider stepping up to A4 (316).
Galvanic & Galling Considerations
Two important notes for stainless bicycle general threaded fasteners: (1) stainless can gall on stainless threads under load — use a thread lubricant or anti-galling compound, especially for M6 and below; (2) when joined to aluminum or galvanized steel, stainless can drive galvanic corrosion of the less-noble metal in wet service — isolate with a coating or sleeve where appropriate.
Using Stainless Fasteners in Aluminum
The galvanic couple here runs the wrong way: aluminum is the less noble metal, so it corrodes and the fastener does not. What governs the rate is the ratio of areas — a large anode and a small cathode is a tolerable combination, the reverse concentrates the attack into thin material around the hole. An isolating washer plus sealant breaks the circuit; where that is impractical, match the fastener to the substrate.
Sizes of Bicycle General Threaded Fasteners Available in A2 Stainless Steel
| Thread designation | Pitch | Typical bicycle location |
|---|---|---|
| M3 | 0.5 | dropout adjustment and small accessory hardware |
| M4 | 0.7 | some derailleur limit screws |
| M4 | 0.75 | common JIS derailleur limit screws |
| M5 | 0.8 | pinch bolts, rotor, fender, rack and bottle-cage mounts |
| M6 | 1.0 | brake caliper, brake pad and rack/fender hardware |
| M7 | 1.0 | some handlebar binder bolts |
| M8 | 0.75 | chainring bolts |
| M8 | 1.25 | stem, crank and suspension hardware |
| 2.2 mm spoke | 56 TPI | common 2 mm spoke threading |
Dimensions are independent of the material: every size above is available in A2 Stainless Steel.
Custom manufacturing · Made to drawing
Need this screw in a grade that is not listed?
A2 Stainless Steel is one of the grades the catalog describes. Lengths and thread lengths outside the standard table are the commonest request, followed by a drive the standard does not offer and a head marked with your own part number. Made by cold heading or warm forging.
Minimum order from 2,000 pieces; samples within 7 days of drawing approval.
