At Affordable Leather Products we sell several products made from Stainless Steel such as the Stainless Steel Locking Slave Collar and the Whitehead Dental Gag or the Jennings Gag and we often get asked what sort of metal they should be made from. So here’s a quick explanation for the different types of this metal.
Firstly it should be made clear that the “stainless” reference in its name is not actually to do with discolouration, but the resistance of the steel to corrosion, ie ensuring that it will not rust.
Rust forms on steel when iron molecules in the metal combine with oxygen from the air in the presence of water (in BDSM terms, usually sweat or saliva). The result of this is that a red flaky oxide forms on the surface that then deteriorates easily and this subsequently exposes more material to corrosion.
Since pure iron and ordinary carbon steels can be highly susceptible to this form of corrosion, it is necessary to add additional metals to create an alloy which is resistant to rusting and the most common are nickel, chromium and molybdenumm.
What is the difference between 304 and 316 grade Stainless Steel for BDSM Toys?
There is not one single type of stainless steel, there are many different ones and they vary according to the intended use and the environment they will be used in. These variations depend on the extra metals which are added to the mix when they are forged.
What is 304 Grade Stainless Steel?
The 304 (sometimes known as A2) grade is sometimes called 18/8 as it is composed of 18% chromium and 8% nickel.
What is 316 Grade Stainless Steel?
316 grade contains 16% chromium, 10% nickel and 2% molybdenum and is used for implants and piercing jewellery because it will have long-term and continued contact with substances that could cause corrosion.
So which is the right metal to use?
Although the 316 type would seem the better option, it is, as mentioned, best suited for applications where it is in extended or constant contact with potential corrosives. As such, because wearing a collar or gag doesnt expose the metal to that sort of environment, the 304 grade is the best one to use for Stainless Steel Slave Collars and the Whitehead Double Ratchet Dental Gag or the Jennings Single Ratchet Gag as we mentioned above.
Thanks for the useful info. I’d wondered what the different types of stainless steel were for collars etc, so this has helped.