Silicon Bronze is probably the best metal for marine nails, screws and bolts. It is an alloy of copper and small amounts of silicon. It is to all intents immune to self-corrosion either in the atmosphere or immersed in seawater. It is hard and nearly as strong as the so-called marine grades of stainless steel.
BUYER BEWARE
There are some Chinese sourced Silicon Bronze fasteners and nails around. We do not stock fasteners from China. We source our Silicon Bronze fasteners from the USA & New Zealand.
The reason is not being able to guarantee the quality of the materials being used in the manufacturing process. With silicon bronze the percentages of the alloys used is critical. Small percentage changes can change the strength and corrosion resistance of silicon bronze making it unsuitable for marine use.
WHY Silicon Bronze over 316 Stainless Steel
Stainless Steels require constant exposure to oxygen to maintain a Chromium Oxide film on the surface. This protects the steel and makes it corrosion resistant. Inserting 316 Stainless Steel fittings through a deck or other tight cavity that does not allow exposure to air and water makes contact you will get crevice corrosion. That is why the Australian Yachting Federation banned plastic coated wire for life lines on yachts. Through deck fittings are classics to suffer from crevice corrosion.
Fasteners index
Flat Head Square Drive
Flat Head Phillips Drive
Flat Head Slot Drive
Oval Head Phillips Drive
Round Head Slot Drive
Hex Head Bolts Threaded Rod
Carriage Bolts
Machine Screws
Hex Nuts
Flat Washers
Lock Washers
Boat Nails
Copper Boat Nails
Some woodworkers lubricate their screws with soap to ease driving- DON’T DO IT –Soap contains acids and absorbs moisture causing rust and rotting of the timber around the screw.
Flat Head Square Drive
WHY Square Drive
- Square Drive allows better torque and less slip for easier driving.
- Square drive gives better control. The driver does not jump out under heavy load.
- Longer driver life, the bits don't wear rapidly due to the more positive drive.
- High quality heat treated steel for strength.
- Sharp thread angle grip and less splitting.
- Deep threads grip the timber without crumbling.
- Minimum body diameter allows for better clamping without stepped drilling.
- Sharp point for easier starting and driving.
Flat Head Phillips Drive
Flat Head Slot Drive
Oval Head Phillips Drive
Round Head Slot Drive
Hex Head Bolts , Threaded and Plan Rod
Carriage Bolts
Machine Screws
Hex Nuts, Flat Washers, Lock Washers
We now have a good source for Silicon Bronze Screws and nails from a factory in New Zealand and import the nails in 5kg pails so you can buy them in bulk, by the Kg or in 100gram lots.
(See highlighted below silicon bronze nails used on a timber facade on a house)
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