Materials

Materials

Silicon Bronze

• Real marine bronze for thru-hulls, fasteners, hinges
• Grade: C87300 (high-silicon bronze)
• Color: Warm golden-brown
• Avoid: "Oil-rubbed bronze" — not bronze, just dark-plated steel/brass. Decorative only, corrodes in saltwater.

Stainless Steel

• 304: Standard grade, adequate for interior/dry locations
• 316 (Marine Grade): Superior corrosion resistance for saltwater exposure. Use for thru-hulls, deck hardware, anything wet.
• 316 vs 316L: L = lower carbon, better for welding. Same corrosion performance for most marine uses.

Naval Brass

• Yellowish-gold appearance
• Good marine performance, slightly less corrosion-resistant than silicon bronze
• Acceptable for many fittings; silicon bronze preferred for critical fasteners