Every type of manufacturing job comes with its own unique set of challenges and requirements, especially when a product is custom-built and one-of-a-kind. A special design requires special tools, including custom fasteners like micro screws that can be made exactly to your specifications.
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One of the many benefits of custom ordering fasteners is that you get to decide what type of material your screws will be made of. The material for screws you choose may be impacted by a number of factors.
When most people think of small screws, they immediately think of steel. And that’s for good reason. Steel is vital to the functioning of the modern world, especially when it comes to its wide range of applications in the industrial, electronics, and manufacturing worlds. Those uses, and many more, support two to three million jobs in steel throughout the world, as well as some six million more supporting roles.
Moreover, steel is beneficial for its longevity and many life cycles. In fact, steel is often composed of 90% recycled content, making it the most recycled material on the planet.
However, just choosing “steel” for your micro screws is not enough. There are so many different types of steel and finishes that can be used to make custom set screws: stainless steel, nickel plated steel, case hardened steel, black oxide steel, and many more. How can you know which kind to use?
Cost is certainly a lead deciding factor for most manufacturers. The shipping costs alone for machinery manufacturing equipment in 2012 totaled $407.4 billion, or 7.1% of all manufacturing shipments. Those costs not only get factored into production and profits, but are eventually passed along to the consumers themselves. It’s important to decide on a material grade for custom screws that’s as cost-efficient as possible.
At the same time, a more important consideration is the corrosion potential of the material within its intended application. Highly sensitive devices like medical implants will almost always want to opt for a top-grade material like stainless for their fasteners, while others can get away with durable 1018 carbon steel without issue.
Other factors to take into account include the required strength, the necessary size, or the temperature conditions of the application. For the best material for screws at the best price, contact us today to learn more about how we can customize your fasteners to get the job done right.