Continue to Site

Eng-Tips is the largest engineering community on the Internet

Intelligent Work Forums for Engineering Professionals

  • Congratulations KootK on being selected by the Eng-Tips community for having the most helpful posts in the forums last week. Way to Go!

304 Stainless Steel Screw for 316 Stainless handle?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Erin Foster

Specifier/Regulator
May 2, 2023
3
Hello,
I am not an engineer but desperately looking for an answer to this question and hope someone on this forum might know:
I provided 316 stainless steel handles for outdoor kitchen cabinets that are under a covered patio.
The screws that came with the handles were not long enough to extend through the thickness of the drawer and drawer front.
I purchased screws that fit, but they are 304 stainless steel. I can’t find them in 316.
The 304 screws are only visible when you open a drawer, so some tarnishing will be fine as long as it doesn’t affect the 316 handle or surrounding resin cabinetry. Does anyone know if using a 304 screw will increase the likelyhood of rust or tarnish on the 316 handle? Or if it would “bleed” tarnish onto the surrounding surface? Are the two types of stainless steel ok to touch?

Thank you!
Erin
 
Replies continue below

Recommended for you

These two grades are so similar that it shouldn't matter.
I am more concerned about what they are fastened to. But since it is non-metallic you should be fine there also.
And is this anywhere near the coast?
If it is then being under cover is bad news as they will get salt on them but not be washed by the rain.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed
 
I doubt you really know the furnished screws were 316...

Regards

Mike

The problem with sloppy work is that the supply FAR EXCEEDS the demand
 
Thank you so much EdStainless! We are about 80 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, so not coastal. That makes me feel much better to know they are compatible.

Very Best!
Erin
 
True, SnTMan, I did assume that. But maybe they aren’t.
 
I would use some lube on them if you ever want to get them apart.

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
P.E. Metallurgy, consulting work welcomed
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Part and Inventory Search

Sponsor