A4 Stainless Steel Hitch Pins with Clip Hole combine the dimensional form of Trade series (hitch pin) with the material properties of grade ISO 3506 group A4 (316 / 1.4401), commonly supplied A4-80: superior, including marine and chloride environments, largely non-magnetic, service range approx. -200 °C to +400 °C, subject to the property class and the joint. This page summarizes the grade data, its corrosion behavior in service, the comparable grades, and the sizes supplied.
Why Choose A4 Stainless Steel for Hitch Pins with Clip Hole
Specified for marine, coastal and chemical applications. For hitch pins with clip hole, 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 hitch pins with clip hole 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 Hitch Pins with Clip Hole, the alternative stainless grade is A2 (304). Choose A2 (304) for general use and A4 (316) wherever chlorides are present; the molybdenum in A4 is the whole difference. Remember that stainless is the corrosion answer, not the strength answer — for load, look at class 8.8 or 10.9 instead.
Using Stainless Fasteners in Aluminum
Stainless steel is more noble than aluminum, so with an electrolyte present — rain, condensation, salt spray — the aluminum becomes the anode and corrodes at the joint. Area ratio decides how bad it gets: a small stainless fastener in a large aluminum section is normally acceptable, a large stainless fastener in thin aluminum is not. Where the joint gets wet, isolate the metals with a coated or nylon washer and a sealant, or specify an aluminum or coated fastener instead.
Sizes of Hitch Pins with Clip Hole Available in A4 Stainless Steel
| Shank diameter d (mm) | Usable length (mm) | Cross hole diameter (mm) | Handle type | Working load (kg) | Material | Finish | Retainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 50 | 3.2 | Bent handle | 350 | Steel | Zinc plated | R-clip (separate) |
| 10 | 65 | 3.2 | Bent handle | 550 | Steel | Zinc plated | R-clip (separate) |
| 12 | 80 | 4.0 | Bent handle | 800 | Steel | Zinc plated | R-clip (separate) |
| 16 | 100 | 4.0 | Bent handle | 1400 | Steel | Zinc plated | R-clip (separate) |
| 19 | 120 | 5.0 | Bent handle | 2000 | Steel | Zinc plated | R-clip (separate) |
