Chain Plate Material

[Storm]

Brion,
Could you give your opinion on the "best" chain plate material? Would you suggest using silicon bronze, 316 stainless, 304 stainless, or Grade 5 Titanium? I am getting ready to replace all existing 35 year old stainless chain plates on my 34 foot sloop.
Regards

[Brion Toss]

Hello,
I hate to say "it depends," but, um, it depends. My favorite is grade 5 titanium, but only if of good quality, properly worked. Hard to argue with something that is much stronger, and almost completely corrosion-proof. Can cost more, though.
Aluminum bronze is more readily available, and there are more people around who can work it.
Stainless is more available still, and the most familiar material to fabricators. Type 316L is not horrible, and we still install it if the above two options are for some reason not available or attractive to the client.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss

[Douglas]

Gee Whiz , Storm ,,, you will not find an answer to your question , better than Brion's .

Knowing that Gold is the best alloy to cap teeth ,,, how many people choose that expensive option ?

So we say what is your need to ask for more than what your boatbuilder or marine architect specified to put your boat in successful service ?

There have been boat owner/builders who specified Inconal for hulls , that including the US military , but expectations for longevity fell short , because unexpectated circumstances , like just who is berthed next to you , or how "Hot" the water is where you berth ?

It is Important that you question this issue and makes us all more knowledgable , in the research that develops and exposed on this website , to all who want to know ,,,, so we appreciate your question , and hope as you , to resolve , this issue !

Some long time ago circa 2004 , I was amazed to meet a Vancover 28' owner who said he never had a hull F / G blister problem , mostly because his boat was fabricated with epoxy resin , not polyester resin ,,,, go figure ?

What we like about Brion , is that he "Walks His Talk" , and shows you representive samples of what we can expect from our choices of materials and workmanship , in the life of our boats . An Expert Witness he is !

[benz]

If you can get domestic Silicon bronze, and use domestic Silicon bronze fasterers, there is no better metal for marine use, esp for chainplates and gammon irons and things that don't need to be lightweight. Everything else is worse; everything suitable is expensive.
Ben

[Storm]

Originally Posted by Douglas

Gee Whiz , Storm ,,, you will not find an answer to your question , better than Brion's .

So we say what is your need to ask for more than what your boatbuilder or marine architect specified to put your boat in successful service ?

It is Important that you question this issue and makes us all more knowledgable , in the research that develops and exposed on this website , to all who want to know ,,,, so we appreciate your question , and hope as you , to resolve , this issue !

The reason I ask the question is that it seems material quality has degraded since the time my boat was originally rigged. While the chain plates may have been 316 Stainless, it seems they were of much higher quality than a lot of todays 316 stainless. Maybe in "the old days" more chromium was added as the mill wanted to be sure the stainless met the specifications.

Also, as time marches on, maybe there are better materials today than 316 stainless, and maybe, some at nearly the same cost as 316 stainless.

[Douglas]

Gee , Storm , I am just a sailor who did the type of research that you are doing today.

It was explained to me that some of the Asian SS mills would skimp on Chrome or Nickel , if the prices were high that day or their suppliers were in short supply , of those alloys .

So is that the reason we have a "Mil Spec" standard in the US ?

Here in Singapore I purchase my SS fasteners from a reputable shop . One day I saw my salesman putting a drop of liquid on some SS fasteners , right at his desk .

Of course I was interested in what he was doing and asked him . His reply was that this kind of testing was not available to me here , as an end user ,,, and that he was checking a recent SS fastener shipment just received from China . He wouldn't elaborate what test he was checking , and clammed up tight when I asked for more info .

I am aware of "Blue Metals" , manufactured in Korea or elsewhere , with less than the proper amounts of alloying metals , because of a relax in standards , and production levels have to be maintained .

If you believe in structural integrity and value engineering standards , you look to be on the right track , so ,,, "Good On You Mate" ,,, as you won't be a liability to the rest of us boaters out there , enjoying our ,,,, on the water , time !

[Storm]

Interesting. I found this on the internet. Sounds like it is what your supplier was using:
http://www.koslow.com/metal_test_kit...f4571fafbcd777