1.1/5 Dowel Manufactured from 347 Stainless Steel
A precision-manufactured fixing solution, designed to meet requirements across high-temperature and high-stress industrial environments.
Our latest bespoke component exemplifies the kind of specialist fastener manufacturing capability that modern industries require. From Aerospace Engineering to Power Generation infrastructure, many sectors rely upon bespoke manufactured components, when off-the-shelf products can’t quite meet the specification.
In an era where industrial performance demands are pushing the boundaries of material science, the specification of the correct fastener for the correct application has never been more critical.
What is 347 Stainless Steel and Why Does It Matter?
When engineers and procurement specialists are sourcing high-performance fasteners and fixings for demanding applications, the choice of base material is paramount. 347 Stainless Steel is an austenitic chromium-nickel stainless steel that has been stabilised through the addition of Niobium. A refractory metal element that fundamentally transforms the alloy’s performance characteristics under thermal stress.
The stabilisation with Niobium is not incidental. It is the defining feature that sets 347 Stainless Steel apart from standard austenitic grades such as 304 or 316. Niobium effectively prevents sensitisation (the migration of chromium carbides to grain boundaries during prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures). Meaning for environments where fasteners are repeatedly cycled through high temperatures, 347 maintains its corrosion resistance and structural integrity in ways that un-stabilised grades cannot.
Material Properties
Understanding the full property profile of 347 Stainless Steel is essential for those making informed fastener selection decisions. The following characteristics make this grade a compelling choice across a range of specialist applications:
High-temperature service capability – 347 maintains structural integrity and corrosion resistance at service temperatures of up to 900°C. This makes it an outstanding material choice for components operating within or adjacent to heat-intensive systems. Be it within, jet engine assemblies, turbine housings, furnace structures, or power plant components.
Excellent creep strength – creep is the tendency of a material to deform permanently under sustained mechanical stress at elevated temperature. One of the primary failure modes for fasteners in high-temperature applications. 347 offers superior creep strength compared to many alternative grades, making it a preferred specification for long-term load-bearing fixings within thermally aggressive environments.
Outstanding weldability – one of the most practically significant properties of 347 is its excellent weldability. The Niobium stabilisation prevents weld decay, a phenomenon that can severely compromise the corrosion resistance of the heat-affected zone in welded assemblies. For fabricators and structural engineers working with stainless steel structures that incorporate welded fastener interfaces, this characteristic simplifies the fabrication process and supports higher-quality, more durable joint integrity.
Durability and Long Service Life – when total cost of ownership is factored into fastener procurement decisions, the durability of 347 presents a compelling commercial case. Reduced maintenance intervals, lower rates of in-service replacement, and decreased risk of corrosion-related failures all contribute to a lower lifetime cost (despite a higher initial material value compared to standard grades).
Niobium stabilisation – the presence of Niobium as a stabilising element is a differentiating feature that merits its own emphasis in any technical specification. Niobium forms stable carbides in preference to chromium, thereby preserving the free chromium content of the alloy and maintaining the passive oxide layer that gives stainless steel its fundamental corrosion resistance. In applications where fasteners are in sustained service at elevated temperatures, this stabilisation mechanism is critical.
Application Landscape
Our bespoke 1.1/5 dowel in 347 Stainless Steel have been expertly manufactured to serve industries and application environments where standard fasteners are insufficient.
The Aerospace sector operates at the very frontier of fastener performance requirements. Components must withstand extreme thermal cycling, vibration, mechanical load, and exposure to aggressive chemical environments. 347 Stainless Steel dowels are well suited to aerospace sub-assemblies, engine mounting systems, and structural components where elevated temperature performance and material traceability are mandatory. With increasing demand for lightweight, high-performance alloy components across both commercial and defence aviation, the specification of precision bespoke fasteners from proven high-grade materials continues to grow.
Requirements can be complex. Standard fasteners certainly hold their respective solution base within many sectors. However, for industries with unique specifications spanning Power Generation, Precision Manufacturing, Chemical and Petrochemical, bespoke manufacturing is undoubtedly the go-to solution.
Bespoke Manufacturing
Bespoke fastener manufacturing offers several important advantages for engineers and end users. Standard fastener ranges, however comprehensive, cannot always accommodate the dimensional requirements of every application. Bespoke manufacturing ensures the precise production to exact drawing specifications. Eliminating compromise and ensuring fit, function, and interchangeability without adaptation.
Competitive Lead Times
Whilst bespoke manufacturing has historically been associated with extended lead times, here at Rapid Industrial Fasteners, we ensure the production capability and material stockholding to turn around precision bespoke components in commercially competitive timeframes.
If you are working on an application that demands precision-engineered fasteners or fixings, with a specialised material, our team is available to discuss your specific requirements.
We manufacture bespoke dowels, bolts, studs, screws, washers, pegs, pins, nuts, (an endless list) to drawings across a comprehensive range of high-performance materials.
Whether your requirement is a single project component or a production batch for an ongoing programme, we have the capability, material knowledge, and quality management systems to support your specification from enquiry through to delivery.
Our teams are always ready to assist.
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