If you're building something outside, especially if you live in a warm and salty area, you need to give special consideration to what corrosion will do to your project. Corrosion can be catastrophic, because the very nails holding your structure together have degraded and grown weaker. Before you know it, your dock, bench, tool shed, or roof is falling apart because the very nails holding it together have corroded away.

What is Corrosion? 

Corrosion is an all-too-common result of electrochemical reactions between materials and substances in their environment. By definition, corrosion is a natural process that converts a refined metal into a more chemically stable form such as oxide, hydroxide, carbonate or sulfide. What does this mean, though? Corrosion is the process of decay on a material caused by a chemical reaction with its environment. The reaction is typically in the form of oxidation. Corrosion of metal occurs when an exposed surface comes in contact with a gas or liquid, and the process is accelerated by exposure to warm temperatures, acids, and salts. If you live somewhere warm near the ocean, this is describing your area!

Are Stainless Steel Nails Corrosion Resistant?

Corrosion is a dangerous and extremely costly problem. You want to avoid it, if at all possible. Most metals are easily oxidized, but not all. Stainless steel is made by adding chromium to molten steel. It is unusually strong and resistant to rusting caused by contact with water, even salt water. There are several benefits to choosing stainless steel nails. Stainless steel nails are strong and will hold up in harsh corrosive environments. As well, they will last longer than other options. Stainless steel nails are resistant to extreme cold and hot temperatures. 

Stainless steel is your best bet for avoiding rust, but it is important to note that how well they stand up to corrosion depends on the quality of the nail. Nails made out of type 304 stainless steel are made with chromium and nickel and are only rust-resistant. The only rust-proof nails are made from type 316 stainless steel with the polymer molybdenum. While stainless steel nails may cost a little bit more to buy, they have lasting value. Because they will last longer than other options, it makes them more affordable over the long-term.

OrderStainless Steel Nails Online

As industry experts, we are always here for you to reach out to us and ask us questions. Customers just like you often want to know facts about our products, like whether or not stainless steel nails will corrode or not. 

All metals will eventually degrade, but special stainless steel nails are your best bet against corrosion. They are the best type to use for outdoor work to reduce the occurrence of wood rust. However, you must remember that stainless steel nails come in different grades. The higher grade, the better they'll do against corrosion.