Materials & Finishes

IronHex stocks every product family in four core finishes. The right finish depends on exposure, base material and corrosion environment. Use this guide to pick the finish, then head to the matching shop to buy.

Zinc Plated (ASTM B633)

Cost-effective indoor / dry corrosion protection (ASTM B633).

Best for: indoor, dry or low-humidity service.
Avoid: continuous outdoor exposure, marine, chloride, or chemical service.
Most cost-effective — default for general fixturing.

Hot-Dip Galvanized (ASTM A153)

Heavy zinc coat for outdoor structural exposure (ASTM A153).

Best for: outdoor structural, ACQ-treated lumber, exposed steel.
Heavy zinc layer — long service life in atmospheric exposure.
Pair with HDG nuts & washers — never with bare zinc.

18-8 Stainless (304 / A2)

General-purpose stainless (304/A2). Good corrosion + non-magnetic.

Best for: general corrosion service, food / beverage, light marine-adjacent.
Non-magnetic; good appearance retention.
Not recommended within 5 miles of saltwater — use 316 instead.

316 Stainless (A4 / Marine)

Marine-grade stainless (A4). Chloride and salt-spray resistant.

Best for: coastal / marine, pool decks, chemical plants, chloride exposure.
Molybdenum-bearing — superior pitting / crevice resistance.
Default for offshore, dock and saltwater rigging hardware.

Selection by environment

Environment	Recommended
Indoor / dry	Zinc Plated
Outdoor structural	Hot-Dip Galvanized
ACQ / pressure-treated lumber	Hot-Dip Galvanized or Stainless 316
General wet / humid	Stainless 18-8 (304)
Coastal (within 5 mi of saltwater) / marine	Stainless 316
Pool decks / chlorinated environments	Stainless 316
Chemical / industrial process	Stainless 316

Imperial vs Metric

Most IronHex families are stocked in both imperial (inch) and metric sizes. Use imperial for US construction, OEM and industrial work; use metric for European-spec equipment, imported machinery and ISO-tolerant assemblies. Each product page lists the available sizes.

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Need help picking a finish for a specific job? Contact us or send us a bulk quote with site conditions and we'll recommend the right finish.