Stainless Steel Alloys vs Plating

Stainless steel isn’t all created the same. River rafting accessories and hardware are typically made from 2 different alloys, all with various strengths and weaknesses.

• 304, A2 or 18-8 (These alloys are very similar, but are based on different standards)

  • The alloys all have good corrosion resistance in the rafting environment. They are all relatively soft, so shouldn’t be used as nuts if a bolt is already made from this material otherwise it will gall and become stuck.

• 316 or A4

  • Very similar to 304, but with added corrosion protection that make it a great choice for saltwater use. As rafting is primarily on rivers, very few components are made from this alloy as it is a little more costly.

• 303

  • Similar to 304, but it machines much more easily. Typically only used with parts that require a lot of machining.

• Plated Steel

  • This is usually much stronger than any of the stainless options, but if the plating is damaged it is prone to rust. Most rafts will have some plated hardware to prevent fasteners from getting stuck together. As the plating is less durable, it is desirable to minimize plated parts, and use them only on parts that are easily replaceable, such as U-bolt nuts or set screws.

Better Mounts uses 304 stainless for all Bimini Mounts, u-bolts, and bolts. 303 is used for umbrella mount parts, and plated steel for all nuts.

Many competitors don’t offer as many stainless parts, opting for the less expensive plated options that will cost customers more money down the road when they need to be replaced due to rust.