A stainless steel grating clamp or clip fastener is specified by grade for a reason. Type 304 handles most indoor and freshwater environments without issue, representing the cost‑effective choice for grating in warehouses, assembly platforms, and inland water treatment galleries. Where the atmosphere pushes the corrosion risk higher—offshore topsides, coastal loading docks, chlorine storage buildings—the specification shifts to Type 316 stainless clamps. The 2–3% molybdenum addition in 316 directly improves resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride service. For the engineer writing the fastener schedule, the decision between 304 and 316 turns on a simple question: will the clip or clamp face salt spray or acidic fumes during normal operation?
Mechanically, the saddle‑type corrosion‑resistant grating clamp spans the intersection of two bearing bars and the supporting beam below. Two bolts draw the saddle down onto the grating, transferring the load through the clamp body rather than through the grating itself. The result is a fully demountable connection that does not rely on friction alone. Installation torque typically ranges from 15–25 N·m for both grades, and the hold-down clamps can be set from above—important when the area below the grating is a live process zone. Saddle thickness commonly falls between 2.5–3.0 mm, providing a rigid bearing surface. Both 304 and 316 clamps ship passivated as standard, with electropolishing available for the most demanding service conditions.
These grating clamps are suitable for molded or pultruded grating panels with depths from 25–50 mm. Each clamp set is supplied complete with a saddle, two bolts, flat washers, and lock washers, labelled by heat number for full material traceability. While hot-dip galvanized carbon steel clamps are also produced for mild indoor applications, specifying Type 304 or 316 stainless steel prevents galvanic degradation when securing heavy-duty FRP panels. For installations requiring a fully non‑metallic connection, the same saddle clamp design is available in FRP.
Clip & Clamp Specifications & Material Data
| Material grades | 304 (UNS S30400) and 316 (UNS S31600) / ASTM A240 |
|---|---|
| Clamp style | Saddle clamp (M-type / G-style hold-down) |
| 304 composition | 18–20% Cr, 8–10.5% Ni; no molybdenum |
| 316 composition | 16–18% Cr, 10–14% Ni, 2.0–3.0% Mo |
| PREN (316) | ≥ 24 |
| Saddle thickness | 2.5–3.0 mm (0.10–0.12 in) |
| Bolt size | M8 or M10 (5/16″ or 3/8″), hex head |
| Installation torque | 15–25 N·m (11–18 ft·lbf) |
| Compatible grating depth | 25–50 mm (1–2 in) molded or pultruded panels |
| Finish | Passivated (standard); electropolished on request |
Proven in Field
"We replaced over 2,000 grating clips and saddle clamps on the offshore platform's helideck with 316 stainless saddles after the original galvanized clamps failed within two years. Three winters of North Sea exposure later, every clamp is intact, and the grating panels remain fully secure with zero edge uplift."
— Excerpt from Offshore Platform Grating Upgrade
Review Fastener Specifications & Material Grades
WayTong supplies stainless steel grating clips and hold-down clamps in Type 304 and 316, passivated as standard, for molded and pultruded FRP panels. Contact our technical desk for heat‑number traceability, electropolishing options, and project‑specific material selection guidance.
Request Product InformationThese fasteners integrate directly into the WayTong FRP Grating product line alongside FRP bolting kits. For complete mechanical performance data, see the ASTM Standards Summary.