Very thin A4 -306 SS sheet

[macd]

Denial?

For god's sake don't tell him he's in denial, JD. Next he'll be complaining about feluccas...

 

[Tranona]

Logic and timing, I think, JD.
PCUK wrote 304 was OK, Boo2 said it'd rust, PCUK said he respectfully begged to differ. In that order, if not that degree of politeness.

Exactly. Not difficult to follow the sequence of events.

BTW like the link to view on the EU.

 

[Boo2]

304 will rust in short order and look like absolute carp.

Boo2

Utter, ignorant nonsense!

He was referring to the previous poster who claimed that 304 would rust away, so the observation is correct - although it would have been better if he had referenced the specific post!

I didn't say 304 would "rust away" I said it would "rust in short order and look like absolute carp", which it certainly will.

See google images here :

Boo2

 

[vyv_cox]

British Stainless Steel Association says:
The 316 types are used widely in marine applications, but their corrosion resistance in contact with seawater is limited and they cannot be considered 'corrosion proof' under all situations. They are susceptible to localized attack mechanisms, principally crevice and pitting corrosion. This limits the scope for the use of these steels in seawater contact.

The 304, and more especially the free machining 303 types, should not be considered suitable for seawater service. http://www.bssa.org.uk/topics.php?article=100

In the OP's case it seems to depend on how much contact with seawater is going to occur, or what the BSSA mean by 'seawater service'. I suspect that 304 in the cockpit of a yacht on a mooring might pit quite badly due to seawater lodged on the fittings whereas one in a marina might be less affected. Worth reading the full article.

 

[Ian_Edwards]

I specified A4 in my original post, because from my years of experience using various grades of SS in marine application, both professionally and with the boats I've owned. A2 produces a lot of rust staining, this is particularly noticeable when a grade A2 bolt or self tapping screw gets into a box of A4 fastenings. The A2 don't rust away, they seem to maintain their strength, as far as I can judge, they just look rusty. I've seen rust marks on A4 but nowhere near as bad as A2.

So from that point of view I simply wouldn't but A2 SS sheet on the boat, which is why I specified A4!

But thanks for the links posted earlier in the thread, I've followed these up, but not found anything better than my original Google search, so I'll probably wait a while and then have another look. The application isn't critical.

PS The precut ones don't really fit my application, where I need to tailor the plates to the hull shape and fittings.

 

[RichardS]

I didn't say 304 would "rust away" I said it would "rust in short order and look like absolute carp", which it certainly will.

See google images here :

Boo2

But don't you think that perhaps a Google search for "rusty 304 stainess images" might be prejudicing the search just a teensy-weensy little bit?

Richard

 

[lw395]

But don't you think that perhaps a Google search for "rusty 304 stainess images" might be prejudicing the search just a teensy-weensy little bit?

Richard

Possibly, I've bought the odd thing on ebay that claimed to be 316 with similar results...

 

[Boo2]

But don't you think that perhaps a Google search for "rusty 304 stainess images" might be prejudicing the search just a teensy-weensy little bit?

Well, it seems a reasonable search phrase if you want to find some pix of 304 ss that's gone rusty ?

Boo2

 

[Hadenough]

The brackets for my solar array are 304 polished within an inch of it's life on the bench (dead easy) before they were fitted three years ago and occasionally hand polished, insitu, since fitting - still shiny. 304 is fine for above water, easy access uses. Wouldn't use it underwater or where it could not be inspected/kept dry/cleaned/polished (if necessary) regularly.

 

[lw395]

The brackets for my solar array are 304 polished within an inch of it's life on the bench (dead easy) before they were fitted three years ago and occasionally hand polished, insitu, since fitting - still shiny. 304 is fine for above water, easy access uses. Wouldn't use it underwater or where it could not be inspected/kept dry/cleaned/polished (if necessary) regularly.

And it's going to get polished by ropes...
Worry more about the glue, to avoid the nasty sharp edge issues IMHO!
You can get self adhesive PTFE tape, or other slippery plastic, I've used it on my dinghy.
Or you can screw on half-round s/s or brass. Some dinghies have strips of srbp or other plastic.
Self adhesive aluminium tape might be cheap and work for a while, but even that can cut you in cold weather as I've found out!

 

[JumbleDuck]

For god's sake don't tell him he's in denial, JD. Next he'll be complaining about feluccas...

That's as may be, ma'am, but these ones were flying Messerschmitts.