Chain Plate Material

[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