A2 and A4 fasteners are both stainless steel fasteners, but they are not selected for the same environment. The main difference is corrosion resistance.
In buyer terms, A2 is commonly used for general stainless applications. A4 is selected when chloride exposure, coastal air, or chemical contact becomes more serious.
The wrong choice may not fail during installation. It usually shows up later as staining, pitting, seized threads, or customer complaints.
Que signifient A2 et A4
Under ISO 3506, A2 and A4 refer to austenitic stainless steel fastener groups. Buyers often compare them with 304-type and 316-type stainless steel.
| Note | Référence commune | Caractéristique principale | Utilisation typique |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2 | Inox de type 304 | Résistance générale à la corrosion | Indoor, machinery, clean outdoor use |
| A4 | Inox de type 316 | Meilleure résistance au chlorure | Marine, coastal, chemical, humid areas |
| A2-70 | A2 with 700 MPa class | Common stainless strength class | Assemblée générale industrielle |
| A4-80 | A4 with higher strength class | Better corrosion plus higher strength | More demanding applications |
Les acheteurs peuvent examiner attaches en acier inoxydable when comparing A2 and A4 options.
When to Choose A2 Fasteners
General Industrial Use
A2 fasteners are suitable for many normal environments.
Use A2 for:
- Machines d'intérieur
- Armoires électriques
- Furniture hardware
- Food equipment with mild exposure
- Clean outdoor structures
- General brackets and covers
A2 is usually easier to source and more cost-effective than A4. For standard sizes, buyers can also check attaches standards.
When to Choose A4 Fasteners
Chloride and Harsh Exposure
A4 is the better choice when corrosion risk is higher.
Use A4 for:
- Ouvrages côtiers
- Équipement marin
- Usines chimiques
- Outdoor humid environments
- Washdown equipment
- Swimming pool surroundings
- Road-salt exposure areas
A4 is not immune to corrosion, but it gives better resistance than A2 in chloride environments.
For projects where corrosion resistance is critical, compare A4 with diverses attaches enduites avant l'approbation définitive.
Erreurs courantes des acheteurs
Évitez ces problèmes :
- Using A2 in marine or coastal projects.
- Choosing A4 only by name without checking strength class.
- Mixing A2 bolts with A4 nuts in critical assemblies.
- Ignoring thread galling during stainless steel installation.
- Not confirming whether A2-70, A4-70, or A4-80 is required.
- Selecting stainless steel without checking the connected metal.
For high-load stainless assemblies, review attaches à haute résistance and confirm mechanical requirements.
Liste de contrôle de la demande de prix
Avant de commander, fournissez :
- A2 or A4 grade
- Property class: 50, 70, or 80
- Product type: bolt, nut, washer, screw, stud
- Size, pitch, and length
- Surface condition or passivation requirement
- Environnement applicatif
- Écrous et rondelles assortis
- Documents d'inspection requis
Conseil final
Choose A2 for general stainless steel fastening. Choose A4 when corrosion resistance matters more, especially in chloride, coastal, marine, and chemical environments.
The safest RFQ defines grade, strength class, size, thread, matching parts, and working environment before production.