Screws – Stainless steel
Screws – Stainless steel
Stainless steel is an alloy consisting mainly of iron, chromium, nickel and carbon. It is a mix and therefore a weaker material than normal steel, but it is weather resistant and suitable for outdoor use. It doesn’t corrode easily, except under special circumstances like when it is exposed to chlorine.
Screws are probably the most commonly used fastener for woodworking. It is a metal pin with a head and tapered shafts that, clamps two pieces of wood together. There are different types of screws available for different purposes.
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High energy Stainless steel is one of the most energy intensive metals to produce, four times more than regular steel. Although a screw is made with just a couple of grams of metal, choosing for galvanized or brass screws will save quite some energy in the long run.
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Alternatives connections Low Energy
High footprint Stainless steel production is very polluting, about 10 times more than regular steel (1)
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Alternatives connections Low footprint
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Non toxic No toxics are produced while the screws are spinned in the wood. Low cost More expensive than steel or iron, but still low priced. Quick Very easy and quick connection. |
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Space saving When a wooden construction is fastened with screws only, components will be easily dis- and re-assembled. This will save space and therefore energy in transport. |
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Non toxic No toxics offgas or leach when screws are in the wood. Long lifespan Stainless steel screws do not degrade fast, so it makes a durable connection. |
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Easy reuse Wood that is fastened with screws only (no glue) are easy to disassemble. The wooden components can be reused easily. Good quality screws can be reused as well. Easy recycling Stainless steel can be easily recycled, even if the product is fully incinerated. |
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Links
How to
Corrosion helpdesk (in Dutch)
Eco info
Environmental impact of stainless steel (New York Times)
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Other Connections
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Examples on Harvestmap.org
