A4 Stainless Steel (ISO 3506 group A4 (316 / 1.4401), commonly supplied A4-80) is specified for marine, coastal and chemical applications. When hex nuts, grade c are specified in this grade, the dimensions remain per ISO 4034; the material determines corrosion behavior (superior, including marine and chloride environments) and the service temperature range (approx. -200 °C to +400 °C, subject to the property class and the joint). Both are covered below with the size table.
Why Choose A4 Stainless Steel for Hex Nuts, Grade C
Specified for marine, coastal and chemical applications. For hex nuts, grade c, 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
Two important notes for stainless hex nuts, grade c: (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.
Comparable Grades
For Hex Nuts, Grade C, 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 Hex Nuts, Grade C Available in A4 Stainless Steel
| Size | Pitch (mm) | Width across flats s (mm) | Width across corners e min (mm) | Nut height m (mm) | Product grade | Reference standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M5 | 0.8 | 8.0 | 8.63 | 4.7 | Grade C | ISO 4034 / DIN 555 |
| M6 | 1.0 | 10.0 | 10.89 | 5.2 | Grade C | ISO 4034 / DIN 555 |
| M8 | 1.25 | 13.0 | 14.2 | 6.8 | Grade C | ISO 4034 / DIN 555 |
| M10 | 1.5 | 16.0 | 17.59 | 8.4 | Grade C | ISO 4034 (DIN 555 specifies a smaller width across flats at this size) |
| M12 | 1.75 | 18.0 | 19.85 | 10.8 | Grade C | ISO 4034 (DIN 555 specifies a smaller width across flats at this size) |
| M14 | 2.0 | 21.0 | 22.78 | 12.8 | Grade C | ISO 4034 (DIN 555 specifies a smaller width across flats at this size) |
| M16 | 2.0 | 24.0 | 26.75 | 14.8 | Grade C | ISO 4034 / DIN 555 |
| M18 | 2.5 | 27.0 | 29.56 | 15.8 | Grade C | ISO 4034 / DIN 555 |
| M20 | 2.5 | 30.0 | 33.53 | 18.0 | Grade C | ISO 4034 / DIN 555 |
| M22 | 2.5 | 34.0 | 37.29 | 19.4 | Grade C | ISO 4034 (DIN 555 specifies a smaller width across flats at this size) |
| M24 | 3.0 | 36.0 | 39.55 | 21.5 | Grade C | ISO 4034 / DIN 555 |
| M27 | 3.0 | 41.0 | 45.2 | 23.8 | Grade C | ISO 4034 / DIN 555 |
| M30 | 3.5 | 46.0 | 50.85 | 25.6 | Grade C | ISO 4034 / DIN 555 |
| M36 | 4.0 | 55.0 | 60.79 | 31.0 | Grade C | ISO 4034 / DIN 555 |
| M42 | 4.5 | 65.0 | 71.3 | 34.0 | Grade C | ISO 4034 / DIN 555 |
| M48 | 5.0 | 75.0 | 82.6 | 38.0 | Grade C | ISO 4034 / DIN 555 |
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. Thread size is the obvious variable and rarely the interesting one — height for clearance, across-flats for the tool already in the cell, and the locking feature for the vibration actually present. Made by cold heading or tapping.
Minimum order from 2,000 pieces; samples within 7 days of drawing approval.
