Material specification page for small-diameter lockbolt assemblies (bs 7805-1) 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 BS 7805 Part 1:1997.
Why Choose A4 Stainless Steel for Small-Diameter Lockbolt Assemblies (BS 7805-1)
Specified for marine, coastal and chemical applications. For small-diameter lockbolt assemblies (bs 7805-1), 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 Small-Diameter Lockbolt Assemblies (BS 7805-1) in marine, coastal, swimming-pool or food-processing environments, A4 is the default selection.
Comparable Grades
For Small-Diameter Lockbolt Assemblies (BS 7805-1), 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
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 Small-Diameter Lockbolt Assemblies (BS 7805-1) Available in A4 Stainless Steel
| Nominal diameter (mm) | Pin head styles | Collar styles | Strength grade | Assembly | Material options | Reference standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.8 | brazier / truss / countersunk | standard / flanged / wide-flanged / low-profile | 5.8 | pin + collar | carbon steel / stainless steel / aluminum alloy | BS 7805 Part 1:1997 |
| 6.4 | brazier / truss / countersunk | standard / flanged / wide-flanged / low-profile | 5.8 | pin + collar | carbon steel / stainless steel / aluminum alloy | BS 7805 Part 1:1997 |
| 7.9 | brazier / truss / countersunk | standard / flanged / wide-flanged / low-profile | 5.8 | pin + collar | carbon steel / stainless steel / aluminum alloy | BS 7805 Part 1:1997 |
| 9.5 | brazier / truss / countersunk | standard / flanged / wide-flanged / low-profile | 5.8 | pin + collar | carbon steel / stainless steel / aluminum alloy | BS 7805 Part 1:1997 |

