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Zinc-plated steel | Hot-dipped galvanized steel | Stainless steel | Chrome and nickel plated steel | Brass and bronze | Alloy steel |
Zinc-plated steel is a low carbon steel for general use. Relatively inexpensive, with the zinc plating providing moderate corrosion resistance suitable for indoors or otherwise dry conditions. Color is either a blue-ish tint or yellow depending on the exact process. | Hot-dipped galvanized steel has a thicker zinc coating for better corrosion resistance, making it suitable for outdoor use. Because of the thick plating, only galvanized nuts and washers will fit galvanized bolts. The coating typically has a rough, dull grey finish. | Stainless steel offers good corrosion resistance, making it suitable for outdoor use and marine applications, but is more expensive than zinc plated. | Chrome and nickel plated steel are smooth and polished for appearance. The plating offers moderate corrosion resistance. | Brass and bronze are copper alloys with good corrosion resistance. More expensive than steel, these materials are typically used for decorative applications. Colors can vary significantly. | Alloy steel is highly hardened and usually black oxide and/or oil coated, offering little corrosion resistance. |
Wood Screws | Machine Screws | Thread Cutting Machine Screws | Sheet Metal Screws |
Screws with a smooth shank and tapered point for use in wood. | Screws with threads for use with a nut or tapped hole. | Machine screws with a thread cutting (self tapping) point. | Fully threaded screws with a point for use in sheet metal. |
Self Drilling Screws | Hex Bolts | Carriage Bolts | Plow Bolts |
A sheet metal screw with a self drilling point. | Bolts with a hexagonal head with threads for use with a nut or tapped hole. Abbrevi- ated HHMB or HXBT. | Similar to carriage bolts but used for attaching the cutting edge of a plow to the plow blade.Bolts with a smooth rounded head that has a small square section underneath | Fully threaded screws with a point for use in sheet metal. |
Socket Screws | Lag Bolts | Eye Bolts | Eye Lags |
Socket screws, also known as Allen Head, are fastened with a hex Allen wrench. | Bolts with a wood thread and pointed tip. Abbreviated Lag. | A bolt with a circular ring on the head end. Used for attaching a rope or chain | Similar to an eye bolt but with wood threads instead of machine thread |
J Bolts | U Bolts | Shoulder Bolts | Elevator Bolts |
J shaped bolts are used for tie-downs or as an open eye bolt. | Bolts in U shape for attaching to pipe or other round surfaces. Also available with a square bend. | Shoulder bolts (also known as stripper bolts) are used to create a pivot point. | Elevator bolts are often used in conveyor systems. They have a large, flat head. |