Grade/Class |
Features |
| Grade 2 | See Titanium under Material Type. |
| Grade 5 | Made of medium-strength steel. |
| Grade 8 | Made of high-strength alloy steel. |
| Grade 9 | Made of high-grade alloy steel. |
| Grade CU2 | See Brass under Material Type. |
| Class 8.8 | Made of medium-strength, heat-treated steel. |
| Class 10.9 | Made of high-strength steel. |
| Class 90 and 100 | Both are stronger than Grade 5. |
Finish/Coating |
Features |
| Plain | For general purpose applications. A good economical choice. |
| Zinc-Plated | Provides excellent corrosion resistance. |
| Cadmium-Plated | Offers better rust resistance than zinc-plating, especially in salt environments. |
| Black | Offers mild rust resistance and some lubricity. |
| Black Luster-Coated | Offers a durable and decorative finish. Provides corrosion resistance superior to black and zinc-plated finishes. |
| Blue-Coated | This highly visible blue coating makes it easier to distinguish from inch sizes. |
| Hot-Dipped Galvanized | Same strength and properties of zinc-plating, but with a thicker coating for excellent rust, weather, and corrosion resistance. |
| Ultra Corrosion-Resistant Coated | Have a silver, water-based inorganic coating (also known as armor coat) for excellent corrosion resistance. |
Material Type |
Features |
| Steel | Good for general purpose applications. |
| Alloy 20 Stainless Steel | Also known as Carpenter 20, it's nonmagnetic and especially resistant to stress corrosion. |
| 17-4 PH Stainless Steel | Combines the high-strength of alloy with corrosion resistance of stainless steel. |
| 18-8 Stainless Steel | Offers excellent corrosion resistance; it may be mildly magnetic. |
| 300 Stainless Steel | Meet more stringent specifications such as military specifications. All are passivated (a nitric acid treatment that creates a passive film to protect the stainless steel from oxidation and corrosion). |
| 316 Stainless Steel | Offers even better corrosion than 18-8 stainless steel. It contains molybdenum, which increases resistance to chlorides and sulfates. It may be mildly magnetic. |
| 450 Stainless Steel | Offers more corrosion resistance than alloy steel. |
| Aluminum | Alloy 2024-T4. Has good resistance to corrosion caused by weather. It's nonmagnetic and offers the strength of mild steel at one third the weight. |
| Brass | Softer than steel with good corrosion resistance. Nonmagnetic. |
| Nickel-Copper Alloy 400 (Monel) | Also known as Monel. Has exceptional strength and resistance to heat and corrosion. Slightly magnetic. Especially well suited for use near salt water. |
| Fiberglass | Made of polyurethane reinforced with fiberglass for greater strength than nylon. |
| Kynar | Possesses excellent corrosion and chemical resistance. Also known as PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), it's a tough and durable material. |
| Nylon 6/6 | This nonconductive material resists chemicals and solvents, except mineral acids. |
| PTFE | Has high dielectric properties, so it's perfect for electrical applications. Resists moisture and chemicals, and has excellent mechanical properties. |
| PVC | Provides excellent corrosion resistance against weak acids, alkalies, and alcohols. |
| Silicon Bronze | Alloy 651. Nonmagnetic. Made of 95-98% copper plus silicon for added strength, it offers high corrosion resistance against sea water, gases and sewage. |
| Titanium | Grade 2. Outstanding corrosion resistance. As strong as steel at 57% of the weight. It is nonmagnetic and has excellent temperature resistance. |
| A286 Super Alloy | An iron-based material containing 26% nickel and 15% chrome. It offers the strength of alloy steel with corrosion resistance similar to 18-8 stainless steel. |