Material specification page for all-metal lock nuts in A4 Stainless Steel. Covers the grade designation (ISO 3506 group A4 (316 / 1.4401), commonly supplied A4-80), corrosion and magnetic behavior, comparable grades and their trade-offs, and the sizes available to ISO 7042 / DIN 980.
Why Choose A4 Stainless Steel for All-Metal Lock Nuts
Specified for marine, coastal and chemical applications. For all-metal lock nuts, this matters when superior, including marine and chloride environments is the primary requirement.
Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Grade designation | ISO 3506 group A4 (316 / 1.4401), commonly supplied A4-80 |
|---|---|
| Magnetic response | Largely non-magnetic |
| Service temperature | approx. -200 °C to +400 °C, subject to the property class and the joint |
| Corrosion characteristic | Superior, including marine and chloride environments |
Corrosion Behavior in Service
A4 (316) adds 2–3% molybdenum to the A2 (304) composition, which dramatically improves resistance to chloride-pitting corrosion. For All-Metal Lock Nuts in marine, coastal, swimming-pool or food-processing environments, A4 is the default selection.
Comparable Grades
For All-Metal Lock Nuts, the alternative stainless grade is A2 (304). The practical dividing line is chlorides: A2 (304) is fine until salt is involved, and A4 (316) exists for the cases where it is — coastal, marine and road-salt service. Neither reaches the strength of a plated class 8.8 or 10.9 fastener.
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 All-Metal Lock Nuts Available in A4 Stainless Steel
| Size | Pitch (mm) | Width across flats s (mm) | Nut height m (mm) | Reference standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M5 | 0.8 | 8.0 | 6.0 | ISO 7042 / DIN 980 | Deformed-top locking, high-temperature capable |
| M6 | 1.0 | 10.0 | 7.0 | ISO 7042 / DIN 980 | Deformed-top locking, high-temperature capable |
| M8 | 1.25 | 13.0 | 9.0 | ISO 7042 / DIN 980 | Deformed-top locking, high-temperature capable |
| M10 | 1.5 | 16.0 | 11.0 | ISO 7042 / DIN 980 | Deformed-top locking, high-temperature capable |
| M12 | 1.75 | 18.0 | 13.0 | ISO 7042 / DIN 980 | Deformed-top locking, high-temperature capable |
| M14 | 2.0 | 21.0 | 15.0 | ISO 7042 / DIN 980 | Deformed-top locking, high-temperature capable |
| M16 | 2.0 | 24.0 | 17.0 | ISO 7042 / DIN 980 | Deformed-top locking, high-temperature capable |
| M18 | 2.5 | 27.0 | 19.0 | ISO 7042 / DIN 980 | Deformed-top locking, high-temperature capable |
| M20 | 2.5 | 30.0 | 21.0 | ISO 7042 / DIN 980 | Deformed-top locking, high-temperature capable |
| M24 | 3.0 | 36.0 | 24.0 | ISO 7042 / DIN 980 | Deformed-top locking, high-temperature capable |
| M30 | 3.5 | 46.0 | 30.0 | ISO 7042 / DIN 980 | Deformed-top locking, high-temperature capable |
| M36 | 4.0 | 55.0 | 36.0 | ISO 7042 / DIN 980 | Deformed-top locking, high-temperature capable |
Dimensions are independent of the material: every size above is available in A4 Stainless Steel.
Custom manufacturing · Made to drawing
Need this nut in a grade that is not listed?
A4 Stainless Steel is one of the grades the catalog describes. Locking method is specifiable independently of the rest: nylon insert, all-metal deformed thread, serrated flange, or none. Made by cold heading or tapping.
Minimum order from 2,000 pieces; samples within 7 days of drawing approval.
