A4 Stainless Steel Gravity Pins are supplied to our own published dimensions — this is a trade-series article rather than one covered by a dimensional standard, so confirm the figures against the part you are replacing. The grade provides superior, including marine and chloride environments and is largely non-magnetic; the practical service range is approx. -200 °C to +400 °C, subject to the property class and the joint.
Why Choose A4 Stainless Steel for Gravity Pins
Specified for marine, coastal and chemical applications. For gravity pins, 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 |
Galvanic & Galling Considerations
For stainless gravity pins the compatibility question is galvanic rather than galling: joined to aluminum or galvanized steel in wet service, stainless drives corrosion of the less-noble metal. Isolate with a coating, sleeve or non-conductive washer where the joint sees moisture. Note also that stainless is softer than hardened carbon steel, so where the part carries a wear or shear duty, check the load against the grade before substituting.
Comparable Grades
For Gravity Pins, the alternative stainless grade is A2 (304). A2 (304) covers general indoor and outdoor service. A4 (316) adds molybdenum, which is what buys the chloride resistance for marine and de-icing-salt exposure. Where strength matters more than corrosion, plated alloy steel in class 8.8 or 10.9 is the swap to make.
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 Gravity Pins Available in A4 Stainless Steel
| Form | Pin diameter (in) | Usable length (in) | Overall length (in) | Mating tube / hole | Material / compliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| tubing gravity pin | 1-1/2~1-5/8 in pipe OD; 9/16 in hole | zinc-plated carbon steel | |||
| pig-tail scaffold pin | 1/4 | 1-11/16 | 2-3/4 | galvanized steel; OSHA/CalOSHA compliant | |
| toggle gravity pin | 3/8 | 2-3/4 | 3-7/8 | galvanized steel |
Dimensions are independent of the material: every size above is available in A4 Stainless Steel.
Custom manufacturing · Made to drawing
Need this pin in a grade that is not listed?
A4 Stainless Steel is one of the grades the catalog describes. End form, hardness and surface finish are all variable; the diameter tolerance is the one that decides the process. Made by cold heading or turning.
Minimum order from 2,000 pieces; samples within 7 days of drawing approval.
