Salt Spray Test Results (ASTM B117)

Passivated 316 Stainless Steel versus 304 Stainless Steel with Marine Fasteners Chrome plating

In March of 2006, a large marine purchasing group asked that a test be done between two competing fastener distributor recommendations. One suggested using 316 stainless steel screws to correct a corrosion problem, while Marine Fasteners recommended 304 stainless steel with its special chrome plating. These tests were conducted, without the knowledge of the fastener companies, using inventory already sold to the group by the respective distributors. Below are the findings of the IMANNA Laboratories.

Their 316 Stainless Steel at 150 hours

Marine Chrome plated at 150 hours

Their 316 Stainless Steel at 300 hours

Marine Chrome plated at 300 hours

Their 316 Stainless Steel at 500 hours

Marine Fasteners chrome plated at 500 hours.

Marine Fasteners chrome plating is specially formulated and applied to ensure corrosion resistance. This test does NOT apply to other fastener companies chrome plated stainless steel. Our own independent lab tests have shown that some chrome plated screws being sold on the market, are a full 1/2 to 1/3 as thick as Marine Fasteners chrome plated fasteners, thus inviting results similar or worse than the 316 Stainless above.

We invite you to run your own tests, and see if Marine Fasteners chrome over stainless plating does not solve your corrosion problem.