
Stainless steel is a popular fastener material due to its inherent resistance to corrosion and generally higher tensile strength than commercial low carbon steel. However, during installation users may encounter galling resulting in
excessive wear, or in the worst case, seizing of the mating components, Figure
By identifying the likely causes, designers and assemblers can safeguard against this mischievous, and sometimes misunderstood, phenomenon. While galling can occur between a multitude of mating surfaces, this bulletin focuses on the causes and prevention associated with threaded fasteners.