Stainless Steel Question

[gbendaly]

hi all

how do you evaluate the stainless steel of an anchor chain ...with no certificate of manufacture .. aside from testing if it attarcts a magnet ??
george

[Cheechako]

Not sure how you would do that without a cert. A magnet isnt always a good test of SS either. Good stainless steel will be non magnetic in the solution treated or annealed condition. However, once it is cold worked (bent, formed, forged etc) it will accumulate magnetic properties.... The cold working can actually improve it's strength or if overworked can make it less durable...

[delmarrey]

IMO-Any afforable SS does not make a good anchor chain. If there is not a stamp on the links then you know way of knowing it's grade. Check for Mfgr stamp.

[GordMay]

What Cheechoko & Delmarrey said, but ...

I’ve happily used Stainless Steel chain “leaders” (6' to 25') for several decades, always accounring for the reduced strength of S/S over (under?) PC & Hi-Test.

You can be assured of a high quality S/S chain if you by a quality manufacturer’s product (Acco, Campbell-Cooper, Columbus-McKinnon, Suncor). The more expensive 316 (L) grade chain outperforms 304.

Check out Dave Gerr’s comments on Stainless Chain in his “Boat Mechanical Systems Handbook” (pages 352/353)
➥ Boat Mechanical Systems Handbook ... - Google Books

Hopefully, our resident chain experet, GMac, will chime in with always pertinent, accurate, and useful advice.

[Cheechako]

What we really want is titanium chain! 2/3 the weight of steel, stronger and unaffected by seawater....

[Solitude]

How many times could you replace Galvanized chain for the price of good stainless? How often do you replace yours. Is it worth moving to stainless?

[fishwife]

Originally Posted by Solitude

How many times could you replace Galvanized chain for the price of good stainless? How often do you replace yours. Is it worth moving to stainless?

The simple answer is no. Stainless is only good for looks when used for anchor chain, IMHO.

[barnakiel]

Why SS? I know it is one of the requirements if you want to become a member of the Royal Monaco YC. But otherwise why?

b.

[Pelagic]

My preference is suitable grade high tensile steel chain, hot dipped galvanized and without a weak point swivel, or if you do need one, then a heavy duty stainless swivel.

Costs me about $700 to blast and re-galvanize both chains.

I don’t trust stainless these days, especially anything out of China

[gbendaly]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Why SS? I know it is one of the requirements if you want to become a member of the Royal Monaco YC. But otherwise why?

b.

simply because the supplier is giving one hell of a price 16.5 $ per meter !!

[gbendaly]

Originally Posted by Pelagic

My preference is suitable grade high tensile steel chain, hot dipped galvanized and without a weak point swivel, or if you do need one, then a heavy duty stainless swivel.

Costs me about $700 to blast and re-galvanize both chains.

I don’t trust stainless these days, especially anything out of China

I couldnt agree more ...
as for sand blasting and re- galvanizing , mine isn't worth the cost..and a new galvanized one is very expensive .

[barnakiel]

gbendaly - yes, but what do you gain vs. galvanized steel? I always thought galvanised steel has better tensility (I mean 'tensile strength).

b.

[osirissail]

- - I check Port Supply and 3/8 Galvanized HT chain goes for $4.38/$3.85 (per ft/per 400ft box) while Stainless Steel 316 chain goes for $23.42/ft. Another website that sells stainless chain list the China version for 8.00/ft versus the French Stainless Steel for $23/ft.
- - So it seems you can purchase new Galvanized chain almost 6 times before you equal the cost of Stainless Steel chain.

[barnakiel]

Good SS and galva from ACCO.

But the reason to use SS still not clear to me. WHY?

I mean - which property of SS vs. galva will make anybody (aside from Abramovitch) buy SS for a boat?

BTW - Do not try to match Mr. Abra'itch - he is already space ages in front of you - his newest Wally will have .... CARBON chain and golden-plated titanium anchor.

b.

[motion30]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

Why SS? I know it is one of the requirements if you want to become a member of the Royal Monaco YC. But otherwise why?

b.

if you must handle it by hand, it is MUCH smoother then steel