Material specification page for cross-bracing and hillside washers 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 Trade series (cross-bracing washers).
Why Choose A4 Stainless Steel for Cross-Bracing and Hillside Washers
Specified for marine, coastal and chemical applications. For cross-bracing and hillside washers, 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 Cross-Bracing and Hillside Washers in marine, coastal, swimming-pool or food-processing environments, A4 is the default selection.
Comparable Grades
For Cross-Bracing and Hillside Washers, 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
Expect the aluminum to corrode, not the fastener — stainless sits higher in the galvanic series, so the aluminum is the one that gives up material. A small fastener in a thick section spreads the loss over a large area and is usually fine; a large fastener in thin sheet concentrates it and is not. Keep water out of the joint, or isolate the two metals with a nylon or coated washer and a sealant.
Sizes of Cross-Bracing and Hillside Washers Available in A4 Stainless Steel
| Bolt size (in) | A (in) | B (in) | C (in) | D (in) | E (in) | F (in) | G (in) | H (in) | J (in) | K (in) | L (in) | M (in) | N (in) | O (in) | P angle (deg) | Finish options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/8 | 13/16 | 7/16 | 3/8 | 9/16 | 1-3/4 | 7/8 | 9/16 | 1/4 | 1-1/16 | 1-3/16 | 7/16 | 5/16 | 3/8 | 1-3/8 | 53 | plain / galvanized steel |
| 1/2 | 1 | 3/4 | 3/8 | 5/8 | 2-1/16 | 15/16 | 5/8 | 7/8 | 1-1/4 | 1-5/16 | 9/16 | 1/4 | 3/8 | 1-1/2 | 54 | plain / galvanized steel |
| 5/8~1-1/4 | plain / galvanized steel |
