Importance of Anti-Seize with Stainless Steel Hardware

One of the most iconic features of the DeLorean DMC-12 is the stainless steel body - a material that ensures enduring beauty due to its corrosion resistance. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for much of the hardware used to assemble the car, and, as a result, many owners desire to replace as much of the hardware as possible with stainless steel. In many cases, carbon steel is the only appropriate thing to meet fastener strength requirements. However, using stainless hardware can eliminate the issue of corrosion and lend to a more aesthetically pleasing appearance while still meeting the specified fastener strengths necessary for safe operation.

While stainless steel is a very desirable material for its anti-corrosive properties and aesthetics, it can present problems if not installed without the correct precautions being observed. Stainless fasteners are frequently prone to “galling” during installation if there is inadequate lubrication or excessive heat created by friction. This resulting micro-welding between the mating parts means the parts may seize, making safe removal impossible. This most commonly results in broken bolts and stripped threads. To avoid this, follow these steps for proper stainless hardware installation:

1. Always use a lubricant on stainless fasteners. Typically the best lubricant will be anti-seize paste like Permatex Anti-Seize (Part # 981343) as it lubricates the threads on installation and is long-lasting for future removal. In some cases, a thread locker is necessary and fortunately, it is also suitable for preventing thread galling.

2. Thread stainless fasteners at a slower speed. As helpful as they are, air or battery-powered impact tools can quickly generate heat and friction at the threads. Generally speaking, it is best to avoid using these tools on stainless hardware. When this isn’t practical, using the tool at a slower speed is a good option.

3. Do not force a stainless fastener that is not threading smoothly. This is good practice regardless of the material, but the consequences are generally more dire when stainless steel fasteners are used. You may feel the fastener begin to seize, and it may fail very quickly after that point.

4. Always adhere to recommended torque specifications. A stainless bolt is more likely to fail when overtightened due to its generally lower yield strength. Keep in mind that the required torque is reduced when threads are lubricated. If we provide torque specifications, this will be taken into account.