Rigging Products
are often subjected to conditions where corrosion may be a factor. Check out
our video for an overview of the materials and finishes that are most often
used in the manufacturing of rigging fittings, cable, and chain.
If you would prefer a text and picture version of this information, keep
reading.
Many rigging fittings come in two different material types: Stainless Steel and Carbon Steel.
Stainless Steel
offers more corrosion protection and has a superior finish.Carbon Steel
offers more strength and a lower cost.
The products shown here are both 1/2" machinery
eyebolts.
Note the difference in price and working load limit.
Stainless steel products are best suited for outdoor applications, where the
best possible protection from the elements is needed.
Type 304 and Type 316 Stainless Steel
E-Rigging offers products in two different types of stainless steel, Type 304
and Type 316.
While its quite difficult to tell the difference between the two, the primary
difference is chemistry.
Type 316 has more Nickel and Molybdenum than Type 304 which makes Type 316
more resistant to corrosion and chemicals. The presence of these elements in
Type 316 make it more expensive than Type 304.
Each type offers the same polished, chromed, and grained look.
Type 304
is the stronger out of the two, but it can pit and rust in corrosive and saltwater environments.Type 316
is recommended for corrosive and saltwater environments for greatest service life.
Most of the stainless steel rigging products offered at E-Rigging are Type 316
stainless steel.
Carbon Steel Products are made from several different alloys of steel and
chosen for their physical properties to match the application. When produced,
they are unfinished and subject to rusting.
To combat corrosion, these products are Hot Dipped Galvanized, Zinc Plated,
Yellow Zinc Chromate Plated, Painted, or Self Colored (Coated with a Rust
Inhibiting Oil).
Hot dip galvanizing is the process of dipping formed steel into a bath of
molten zinc, which forms a thick, chemically bonded layer of zinc on top of
the steel.
It is the most protective finished used on carbon steel products.
Our hot dipped galvanized components come in at a lower cost than stainless
steel components.
These products can be used in outdoor applications, but are not as corrosion
resistant as stainless steel.
The process of zinc plating involves running a steel component through an
electrically charged bath. A thin layer of zinc bonds to the component forming
the protective coating.
It provides decent corrosion protection, a nice, even finish, and a lower cost
than hot dipped galvanized products.
Zinc plated products can be used outdoors, but will exhibit signs of rust much
sooner than hot dipped galvanized products.
The coating process of the products is similar to zinc plating, but yellow
chromate is added to the zinc for tinting purposes.
Products with this type of coating are primarily used in applications where
they will not be exposed to corrosive elements such as salt water, salt air,
rain, or snow.
This finish is often used to distinguish Grade 70 Transport chain and
fittings.
Our painted steel products are an excellent choice when your application
requires components with a more aesthetically pleasing look, while still
having protective characteristics.
Painted Steel products are just as corrosion resistant as metallic type
coatings, as long as the paint is not scratched or rubbed off, allowing for
the possibility of corrosion or rust to form on the bare metal underneath the
paint.
Some products are coated in a simple enamel type coating.
Lever and chain hoists components are powder coated.
Our self colored steel products are named so because there is no zinc or paint
to protect it.These parts are blast cleaned after they are produced and a rust
inhibiting oil is applied.
The thin coating offers limited protection against rust.
These products are a great cost effective alternative to metallic type
coatings.
We hope this information has cleared up any questions or concerns you might
have about the materials and finishes available on some of our rigging
products.
