Stainless steel is often seen as the ideal material for fasteners, studs and even plate used in a wide range of different types of industrial applications. Stainless steel is highly corrosion resistant, and it can also go through several finishing options to make it even more resistant and durable.
As a fastener, stainless steel threaded studs offer several advantages over stainless steel nuts and bolts. The most obvious advantage is that a bolt requires a hole to be drilled through the base workpiece before the two parts can be fastened together. Not only does this create an additional step, but it can be problematic as it requires access to both sides of the workpiece to complete the tightening process.
With the use of stainless steel threaded studs, a simple drawn arc welder can be used for larger thickness workpieces while the capacitor discharge (CD) stud welder can be used for the smaller diameter stainless steel studs. Both options will result in a secure, reliable attachment of the stud to the workpiece without any need for access to the other side.
Full Thread or Pitch Diameter
The two general types of stainless steel threaded studs include a full thread and a pitch diameter. The two-look different, with the full thread having the thread from top to bottom. The one end of the full thread will have a very slight area without the thread that tapers into a point, allowing for the melting of the molten pool to form the weld.
The pitch diameter stainless steel threaded studs have a significant area above the taper where there is a lack of thread. This creates a slightly stronger stud to resist shear force as there is no weakening due to the presence of thread.
The caution to consider in using the pitch diameter option is that the unthreaded part cannot exceed the thickness of the part to be mated or it will be impossible to tighten completely.