When it comes to snap hooks, pulleys and rings, the best are made of one or more of the following materials: die cast zinc, stainless steel, brass, malleable iron, and steel.

Read below to learn more about these materials the benefits of each.

• Die cast zinc is used in many things we use every day. Zinc die castings, in fact, are some of the most mass-produced items made within the metalworking industry. We find them in door and window hardware, bathroom fixtures, office equipment, in cars, electronic components, tools, and more: and in snap hooks, rings and pulleys. See our Die Cast Zinc products >

Zinc casting alloys are stronger than even reinforced, molded polymers. The metal’s self-lubricating abilities and stability make it pretty much perfect for mechanical parts that move, such as pinions and gears. Zinc also is non-toxic and zinc scraps are reusable, making them a great metal for recycling.

• Stainless steel resists corrosion phenomenally well. Grades of a low alloy stainless steel tend to resist corrosion in atmospheric conditions, while higher graded stainless steel alloys are corrosion resistant in chloride bearing environments, in acids, and in alkaline solutions, even in high temperature and high pressure environments. Stainless steel is extremely durable and strong. Compared to other metals, it’s often the least expensive option when comparing costs over a tool’s or machine’s life cycle. See our Stainless Steel products >
• An alloy made of copper and zinc, brass often is used for decorative purposes because of its gold-like looks. It’s also used often in applications where low friction is needed (for locks, gears, doorknobs, ammunition casings, plumbing, etc.). In fact, manufacturers often turn to brass when it’s critical that sparks not fly when working around flammable/explosive gases or on fittings. See our Brass products >
• Malleable iron is great for small castings and for castings that have cross sections of less than ¼ inch. It’s very strong, has high ductility and resists heat. Malleable iron often is used in electrical and pipe fittings, hand tools, hardware for power lines, farm equipment, machine parts, and more. See our Malleable Iron products >
• Steel is a mix of iron and carbon and its use by man can be traced back to eastern Africa almost 3500 years ago (1400 BC). Chormium, vanadium, tungsten, and manganese often are used in the making of steel in order to expand its mechanical properties. (Stainless steel, on the other hand, is an alloy made of a combination of chromium and iron.) Steel tends to be used in larger construction projects (subways, bridges, large buildings) and even machinery (bulldozers, for example), while stainless steel is used more often in smaller objects such as home appliances, surgical instruments, cookware, etc. See our Steel products >

Interested in learning more? Contact us today or request a quote for additional information on our products and services.