When it comes to insulation fasteners and stud welding, the right grade of stainless steel must be used to ensure proper performance. There are several different grades that meet the requirements of the varying applications, and it’s important to know which one is best for you.
Material being used for insulation fasteners must fall under the guidelines of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the American Welding Society (AWS). The recommended stainless steel grades are 300’s, and typically these are non-magnetic in their normal annealed state. Under ANSI guidelines, these include: types 302, 304, 305, 309, 310, and 316. 304 (now called 18/8) and 305 are the most common, while the L series (i.e. 316L) is preferred when corrosion resistance is important.
For higher heat exposure applications, 310SS or 330SS are preferred, and for extreme temperatures, the Inconel series 601 is used for insulation fastening and refractory applications. More specifically, when it comes to heat resistance, the grades of choice are as follows: 302/304/305 for 1400°F; 316 for 1700°; 310 for 1850°; 330 for 2,000°; and 601 for 2,200°.
When looking for the right stainless steel for your particular application, keep in mind that not all grades are readily available at all times. 304, 310, and 316 are typically easy to obtain, while others might require special order.
Knowing the right grade of stainless steel for your needs will guarantee the material meets your demands.
Installing anchors and hangers for attaching insulation is no simple task. It requires strong, heavy-bodied material that can effectively and reliably bond metal and/or nylon anchors to metal, concrete or masonry surfaces. Adhesives with the Midwest Fasteners brand meet all of these criteria, and additionally can be used in other general construction applications such as installing metal and/or ceramic wall fixtures or installing tile. Our special non-slip formula has proven to be regular and reliable, hence it is one of our popular offerings and we get orders for it day in and day out.
Recent studies have suggested that the chemicals known as VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, can react with elements in air to produce ozone and promote air pollution. As a result of these findings, the demand for more environmentally-friendly products has grown exponentially. In addition, the growth in products that are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) compliant has led to the development of greener, more sustainable technologies in a wide range of industries, including those construction related markets served by our products.
We at Midwest Fasteners are introducing and stocking the Midwest Zero VOC General Purpose Hanger Adhesive (ZVOC), available in gallon containers. Thisproduct is in addition to our standard Adhesive, which we’ve offered in one formula or another for our entire history. Our standard Adhesive is for general purpose applications ranging from insulation anchors, to anchor bolts, and glue-on “spindle” insulation hangers.
The adhesives, whether ZVOC or our standard GPA Adhesive, boast a variety of unique characteristics:
Thermal shock resistance
High bond strength
Water resistance
Mildew resistance
Immediate grab
You can find more information on our website at this link.
