When Hex Nuts are required in A4 Stainless Steel, the alternative grades and the trade-offs between them matter as much as the dimensions. This page covers both, plus mechanical and corrosion data.
Why Choose A4 Stainless Steel for Hex Nuts
Specified for marine, coastal and chemical applications. For hex nuts, this matters when superior, including marine and chloride environments is the primary requirement.
Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Grade designation | A4-80 (316) |
|---|---|
| Magnetic response | Largely non-magnetic |
| Service temperature | approx. -200 °C to +400 °C |
| Corrosion characteristic | Superior, including marine and chloride environments |
Galvanic & Galling Considerations
Two important notes for stainless hex nuts: (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, the alternative stainless grade is A2 (304). A2 (304) suits general indoor and outdoor service; A4 (316) adds molybdenum for marine and chloride environments. Where higher strength matters more than corrosion, switch to plated alloy-steel class 8.8 or 10.9.
Sizes of Hex Nuts Available in A4 Stainless Steel
| Size | Pitch (mm) | Width across flats s (mm) | Width across corners e min (mm) | Nut height m style 1 (mm) | Nut height m style 2 (mm) | Reference standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | 0.25 | 2.5 | 2.71 | 0.8 | - | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M1.2 | 0.25 | 3.0 | 3.28 | 1.0 | - | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M1.4 | 0.3 | 3.0 | 3.28 | 1.2 | - | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M1.6 | 0.35 | 3.2 | 3.48 | 1.3 | - | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M2 | 0.4 | 4.0 | 4.32 | 1.6 | - | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M2.5 | 0.45 | 5.0 | 5.45 | 2.0 | - | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M3 | 0.5 | 5.5 | 6.01 | 2.4 | - | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M3.5 | 0.6 | 6.0 | 6.58 | 2.8 | - | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M4 | 0.7 | 7.0 | 7.66 | 3.2 | - | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M5 | 0.8 | 8.0 | 8.79 | 4.0 | 5.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M6 | 1.0 | 10.0 | 11.05 | 5.0 | 6.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M8 | 1.25 | 13.0 | 14.38 | 6.5 | 8.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M10 | 1.5 | 16.0 | 17.77 | 8.0 | 10.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M12 | 1.75 | 18.0 | 20.03 | 10.0 | 12.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M14 | 2.0 | 21.0 | 23.36 | 11.0 | 14.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M16 | 2.0 | 24.0 | 26.75 | 13.0 | 16.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M18 | 2.5 | 27.0 | 29.56 | 15.0 | 18.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M20 | 2.5 | 30.0 | 32.95 | 16.0 | 20.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M22 | 2.5 | 32.0 | 35.03 | 18.0 | 22.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M24 | 3.0 | 36.0 | 39.55 | 19.0 | 24.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M27 | 3.0 | 41.0 | 45.2 | 22.0 | 27.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M30 | 3.5 | 46.0 | 50.85 | 24.0 | 30.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M33 | 3.5 | 50.0 | 55.37 | 26.0 | 33.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M36 | 4.0 | 55.0 | 60.79 | 29.0 | 36.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M39 | 4.0 | 60.0 | 66.44 | 31.0 | 39.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M42 | 4.5 | 65.0 | 71.3 | 34.0 | 42.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M45 | 4.5 | 70.0 | 76.95 | 36.0 | 45.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M48 | 5.0 | 75.0 | 82.6 | 38.0 | 48.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M52 | 5.0 | 80.0 | 88.25 | 42.0 | 52.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |
| M56 | 5.5 | 85.0 | 93.56 | 45.0 | 56.0 | ISO 4032 (Style1) / ISO 4033 (Style2) |