Alloy 20 Stainless Steel Washers For Exceptional Corrosion Resistance

Alloy 20 stainless steel washers are made from an extra resistant form of stainless steel, which is included in a family of austenitic stainless steel. Washers stamped from this particular material will offer reliable performance in some especially demanding and corrosive conditions.

Alloy 20 stainless steel include alloy essentials like iron, chromium, and minimal amounts of carbon and manganese. It also contains nickel, molybdenum, niobium, copper, and silicon. Because of the crystal structure of this type of stainless steel, it is non-magnetic.

As a washer material, alloy 20 stainless steel is chosen for very specific reasons. It is not considered a general-purpose metal but was specifically developed to be used in applications that might be exposed to sulfuric acid. Resistance to such acids is gained from its copper content.

Alloy 20 stainless steel washers will be used for structures and equipment required for chemical and plastic processing, power generation, and petrochemical processing and containment. If a fastener assembly must resist corrosion from caustic chemical exposure, alloy 20 stainless steel washers are a reliable option.

Washers made from this alloy are often used when enhanced resistance to pitting and chloride is needed and 304 stainless steel washers will not suffice. They offer a similar performance to washers made from 316L stainless steel, which is sometimes known as the marine-grade of stainless steel or grade A4. Alloy 20 is used as an alternative to 316L stainless steel to avoid stress corrosion and cracking, which can affect grade 316L under certain circumstances.

Alloy 20 stainless steel washers have an important role to play when connecting joints in tough settings. As flat washers, they will distribute the force that’s introduced when a screw, bolt, or nut is tightened in place.

By serving as a barrier between the material and the fastener, they help to maintain an ideal tension, one that is tight enough to ensure a secure joining of parts but also one that is properly fitted. This means that installation holes will not be warped, surfaces will be protected and preserved, and the assembly can be more smoothly loosened and adjusted when needed.

By maintaining the tension between fasteners, an alloy 20 stainless steel flat washer will also help to ensure rattling does not occur and the assembly doesn’t gradually loosen over time. This function is particularly important in parts of a mechanical or electronic system.

Alloy 20 stainless steel washers may be referred to as ASTM B729, ASTM B464, ASTM B473, and ASTM B462 washers. This alloy is also known under various material trademarks.

Since the material can be such a make-or-break factor in the performance and longevity of an application, it’s very important to source these washers from a trustworthy source. When sourcing from conventional washer suppliers, alloy 20 stainless steel washers are not often included in standard selections of stainless steel washers intended for conventional placements. Purchasing directly from a qualified, specialty washer manufacturer is an effective method for ensuring product integrity and traceability of raw materials.

How Corrosion Resistant Are Alloy 20 Washers?

Alloy 20 stainless steel washers can provide exceptional resistance to certain types of corrosion. The added copper content in this alloy makes it resistant to certain corrosive acids, most notably sulfuric acid.

This alloy was specifically developed to resist such substances. Alloy 20 washers can provide corrosive resistance that’s comparable to 316L stainless steel washers, which are applied to chemical processing and marine applications because of the resistance to chloride ions. Alloy 20 washers will also resist pitting, stress, and cracking better than 316L varieties.