"you cannot harden stainless" tell that to the custom knifemakers who use surgical grade stainless steel in their creations.
The problem with THIS WHOLE SUBJECT is this:
Saying "stainless steel" is like saying "rice" or saying "bread". All three examples have many, many, varieties and the only thing in common is the name.
It drives me crazy to hear some of the faulty explanations, none of which are true and even if they WERE true it'd only be for ONE VARIETY of stainless steel.
To add to the problem most of the members of this board have little true understanding of metallurgy or "strength of materials". I put that last one in quotes because it is generally a second- or third-year college course for civil and mechanical engineers. It takes time to learn what is really happening, or at least a credible explanation of what is happening.
So for now let's leave it at, "You'd be better off using US-made grade 8 bolts, 6 marks on the bolthead, and using the stainless steel bolts somewhere else."
R.
Now I feel better.
even the "specialty" nuts & bolts places that sell "showcar" stainless fasteners are suspect to me because i feel the asking price for their products seem to indicate only moderate quality. high quality ss fasteners are EXPENSIVE ! oh, don't forget the anti-seize or the threads WILL gall...... and not to stir the pot, but i'm just wondering if "surgical grade" stainless would be suitable for automotive use. maybe apples to cumquats comparison ?
