Durable, high quality fasteners are essential components in any construction project, but choosing the right fasteners  is especially crucial in the marine construction industry. Marinas, lifting docks, bulk terminals and other marine structures must be made with fasteners that can endure constant exposure to moisture, as well as the physical stresses caused by waves, currents and changing tides.

For these reasons, marine construction professionals around the world rely on fasteners and hardware made from stainless steel. These highly durable fasteners have several advantages over other fastener types, and their unique properties make them suitable for both freshwater and saltwater construction projects.

Why Choose Stainless Steel Fasteners For Marine Construction?

Exceptional Corrosion Resistance

Rust is one of the worst enemies of any marine construction project. Constant exposure to moisture can cause rapid and severe corrosion in fasteners made from unsuitable metals. Coastal buildings and structures are especially vulnerable to fastener corrosion, as saltwater causes metal to rust much more quickly than freshwater.

A marine building does not necessarily have to be submerged for it to be vulnerable to moisture-induced corrosion. The airborne salt spray created by rough seas can be carried further inland by wind and air currents. This means that corrosion-resistant fasteners are just as important in the construction of dry or semi-submerged marine structures, such as lifeguard stations and drydock gantries.

Stainless steel fasteners are widely renowned for their remarkable resistance to corrosion, which is achieved by mixing small amounts of chromium into the molten steel. Stainless steel fasteners can survive many years of constant exposure to moisture without losing any of their strength or structural integrity and are highly resistant to saltwater corrosion.

Superb Strength 

Stainless steel may be significantly more rust-resistant than other types of steel and steel alloy, but that doesn't mean you have to make sacrifices in raw strength. Stainless steel fasteners have comparable levels of tensile and load-bearing strength to fasteners made from carbon steel and other heavy-duty alloys.

This makes stainless steel fasteners a significantly better choice for most marine construction projects than aluminum fasteners. While aluminum fasteners are also highly resistant to rust and saltwater corrosion, they are not nearly as strong as steel fasteners, and may not have the strength to endure the strong shearing forces caused by heavy seas and strong tidal currents.

Improved Aesthetics

Many marine buildings are created using exposed fasteners, which are clearly visible in the finished structure. If you are constructing a marine or semi-marine structure that needs to be as beautiful as it is functional (such as a luxury marina or floating bar), choosing stainless steel fasteners can also make your finished structure more aesthetically pleasing.

Exposed fasteners made from coated steel or other metals will quickly become visibly rusty, which can mar the appearance of your structure. Corrosion byproducts can also cause permanent staining in concrete and other porous materials. Exposed stainless steel fasteners will remain rust-free and attractive for far longer. When planning your marine construction project, reach out to a local stainless steel fastener supplier for fastener options to look at.