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[Mike Davies]

We need to create a stainless steel structure for outdoor use in a coastal environment, and corrosion is our primary concern. We’re considering coated fasteners but need to understand whether thicker coatings provide adequate protection, and if there are thresholds where the benefits plateau. Does increased coating thickness affect thread engagement or installation torque, potentially impacting performance?

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[Caleb]

Thicker coatings do provide better corrosion protection, but there’s a threshold where increasing thickness doesn’t significantly improve performance. The ideal coating thickness is between 5-10 microns. Anything thicker can affect thread engagement and torque during installation. While zinc coatings help with saltwater exposure, their protection diminishes over time. For enhanced durability, consider PVD coatings. It’s always best to use fasteners tested in the specific environment where they’ll be used for long-term performance.

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[Dimitris]

A thicker coating might impact the performance of the fastener if it inhibits thread engagement. Also, during application, the coatings can be damaged, which reduces the protection against corrosion. After installation, you may want to check if the coating is intact.
It would be wise to test several fasteners before using the entire batch, as it is more prudent to confirm long-term performance in your specific environment before moving forward with the project.

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