Stainless Steel Washers Manufactured to Your Specification
Stainless steel washers are corrosion-resistant fastening components used to distribute load, prevent surface damage, provide spacing and improve assembly reliability. Stephens Gaskets manufactures custom stainless steel washers for OEMs, engineers, construction companies, marine applications and industrial manufacturers throughout the UK. Available in a range of grades including 304, 316, A2 and A4 stainless steel, our washers are produced to precise specifications and supplied in prototype, low-volume and production quantities.
Stainless Steel Washers Manufacturing Experts & Bespoke Stainless Steel Washers Specialists
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Bespoke Manufacturing
Instant Quote Service
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Various Gauges/Thicknesses
Bespoke Manufacturing
Instant Quote Service
Worldwide Delivery
Various Gauges/Thicknesses
What Are Stainless Steel Washers?
A stainless steel washer is a flat component installed beneath a nut, bolt or fastener to distribute load and protect mating surfaces.
They are commonly used to:
- Spread fastener loads
- Reduce surface damage
- Prevent loosening
- Improve joint stability
- Provide spacing
- Resist corrosion
Because stainless steel offers excellent durability and corrosion resistance, these washers are widely used in demanding environments.
Custom Stainless Steel Washer Manufacturing
Stephens Gaskets manufactures bespoke stainless steel washers from:
- Customer drawings
- CAD files
- Existing samples
- Reverse-engineered components
- Industry standards
We support:
- OEM manufacturing
- Construction projects
- Marine engineering
- Automotive applications
- Aerospace projects
- Electrical assemblies
- Industrial machinery
Stainless Steel Grade Comparison
Choosing the correct grade is essential for performance and longevity.
|
Grade |
Alternative Name |
Corrosion Resistance |
Magnetic Properties |
Typical Applications |
Cost Position |
|
304 |
A2 Stainless Steel |
Excellent |
Generally Non-Magnetic |
General engineering, construction, machinery |
£ |
|
316 |
A4 Stainless Steel |
Superior |
Generally Non-Magnetic |
Marine, chemical processing, offshore |
££ |
|
A2 |
Equivalent to 304 |
Excellent |
Generally Non-Magnetic |
Internal and external engineering applications |
£ |
|
A4 |
Equivalent to 316 |
Superior |
Generally Non-Magnetic |
Marine and aggressive environments |
££ |
304 Stainless Steel Washers
304 stainless steel is the most widely used stainless steel grade.
Benefits include:
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- Strong mechanical properties
- Cost-effective performance
- Good availability
Applications include:
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Electrical equipment
- Machinery
- General engineering
316 Stainless Steel Washers
316 stainless steel contains molybdenum, providing greater resistance to corrosion.
Advantages include:
- Enhanced resistance to chlorides
- Better marine performance
- Improved chemical resistance
- Long service life
Applications include:
- Marine engineering
- Offshore equipment
- Chemical processing
- Water treatment
- Coastal infrastructure
A2 vs A4 Stainless Steel Washers
A2 and A4 are commonly used designations for stainless steel fasteners and washers.
A2 Stainless Steel
Suitable for:
- General outdoor use
- Engineering projects
- Construction
- Machinery
A4 Stainless Steel
Recommended for:
- Marine environments
- Chemical exposure
- Offshore applications
- Coastal locations
Where corrosion risk is higher, A4 is usually the preferred option.
Are Stainless Steel Washers Magnetic?
This is a common engineering question.
Most 304 and 316 stainless steel washers are considered non-magnetic or only slightly magnetic depending on manufacturing processes.
Factors that may influence magnetism include:
- Cold working
- Forming methods
- Material grade
- Manufacturing process
For critical applications, material specifications should always be confirmed.
Stainless Steel Washer Size Guide
Stephens Gaskets manufactures stainless steel washers in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses.
|
Internal Diameter |
External Diameter |
Typical Applications |
|
M3 |
Small electronic assemblies |
Electrical and instrumentation |
|
M4 |
Light engineering |
Panels and enclosures |
|
M5 |
General fastening |
Industrial equipment |
|
M6 |
Machinery and fabrication |
Engineering assemblies |
|
M8 |
Structural fastening |
Construction and machinery |
|
M10 |
Heavy-duty applications |
Industrial equipment |
|
M12+ |
High-load applications |
Plant and infrastructure |
Custom dimensions can also be manufactured to customer specifications.
Precision Stainless Steel Washers
Many engineering projects require tighter tolerances than standard catalogue washers.
Stephens Gaskets manufactures:
- Precision washers
- Shim washers
- Spacing washers
- Large diameter washers
- Thin stainless steel washers
- Custom profiles
This supports specialist engineering and OEM requirements.
Industries Using Stainless Steel Washers
Our stainless steel washers are used throughout:
- Construction
- Automotive
- Aerospace
- Marine
- Rail
- Water treatment
- Renewable energy
- Electrical manufacturing
- Industrial machinery
- General engineering
What We Do Not Supply
Stephens Gaskets manufactures stainless steel washers to specification.
We do not provide:
- General retail DIY packs
- Fastener installation services
- Structural engineering certification
- Consumer hardware store products
Our focus is precision-manufactured washers for engineering and industrial applications.
Why Choose Stephens Gaskets?
With over 70 years of manufacturing experience, Stephens Gaskets supplies precision-engineered washers to customers throughout the UK.
Benefits include:
- UK manufacturing
- Bespoke washer production
- Prototype and production capability
- Precision tolerances
- Material expertise
- Fast quotation turnaround
- Reverse engineering support
Whether you need a single prototype or ongoing production volumes, we can help.
Related Products and Services
You may also be interested in:
- Precision Washers
- Stainless Steel Shim Washers
- Shim Washer Materials
- Custom Washers
- Stainless Steel Shim Suppliers
- Laser Cutting Services
- Metal Washers
Worldwide Delivery
Fast turn around
High quality components
Technical support
Frequently Asked Questions
What grade of stainless steel is best for washers?
The best grade depends on the environment. 304 (A2) is suitable for most applications, while 316 (A4) is preferred for marine and chemical environments.
What is the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel washers?
316 contains molybdenum, providing improved corrosion resistance, particularly against chlorides and saltwater.
Are stainless steel washers rustproof?
Stainless steel washers offer excellent corrosion resistance but no metal is completely immune to all environments. Correct grade selection is important.
Are stainless steel washers magnetic?
Most 304 and 316 stainless steel washers are generally non-magnetic, although some magnetism can occur after manufacturing processes.
When should I use 316 stainless steel washers?
316 stainless steel washers are recommended for marine, offshore, coastal and chemical processing applications where corrosion resistance is critical.
Can Stephens Gaskets manufacture custom stainless steel washers?
Yes. Stephens Gaskets manufactures bespoke stainless steel washers from drawings, CAD files, samples and customer specifications.
Do Stephens Gaskets manufacture stainless steel washers in the UK?
Yes. Stephens Gaskets manufactures custom stainless steel washers in the UK for engineering, manufacturing and industrial customers.
Request a Stainless Steel Washer Quote
Need custom stainless steel washers manufactured to your specification?
Contact Stephens Gaskets today to discuss your requirements.
Prefer to talk it through?
Call: 0121 544 5808
Email: sales@stephensgaskets.co.uk
Website: https://www.stephensgaskets.co.uk/