Flush Fasteners in AISI 316 Stainless Steel
A clean, flush fastening solution for applications where hygiene, safety and surface continuity matter.
Flush fasteners are designed to sit perfectly flush with the surface, eliminating exposed recesses and reducing areas where dirt, residue or contaminants can accumulate.
Made in AISI 316 stainless steel, they are particularly suitable for demanding environments where cleanability, corrosion resistance and refined surface integration are essential.
Why flush fasteners
Unlike conventional fasteners with visible drive recesses, flush fasteners sit perfectly flush with the surface.
This helps reduce dirt-trap areas, improves ease of cleaning and creates a cleaner, more integrated final appearance.
Key advantages Flush Fasteners
Flush surface
The fastener sits perfectly flush with the surface, creating a clean and continuous finish.
No exposed recess
The retractable mechanism eliminates visible drive recesses, reducing dirt accumulation points.
Improved cleanability
The smooth geometry simplifies cleaning and makes the solution suitable for hygiene-oriented applications.
How Flush Fasteners work
Flush fasteners feature an internal retractable drive that allows installation with a standard tool and automatically restores a perfectly flush surface after tightening.
Cleanability validation
Testing demonstrates how flush fasteners eliminate residue accumulation points compared to traditional fasteners.
The smooth, flush surface allows for more effective cleaning, reducing contamination risk in critical applications.
Flush Fastener™ (left) compared to two traditional types of fasteners on the right. All three contaminated using Glow Germ.
All three screws wiped clean after being contaminated with Glow Germ. Residue remains in difficult to reach areas of the traditional fasteners.
Corrosion resistance
Residual contamination comparison
A controlled laboratory study compared flush fasteners and conventional slotted fasteners after contamination with Bacillus subtilis and subsequent disinfection.
The results showed a significant reduction in bacterial residue on flush fasteners:
• Flush fasteners: average 3.17 CFU
• Slotted fasteners: average 172.64 CFU
This corresponds to a reduction of over 98% in residual contamination.
Statistical analysis confirmed the difference as highly significant (p < 0.00001).
*Test performed on stainless steel plates under controlled cleaning conditions.
Salt spray corrosion test
Flush fasteners in AISI 316 stainless steel were tested according to ASTM B117 to evaluate corrosion resistance under controlled conditions.
Test conducted: ASTM B117 salt spray corrosion test
Testing facility: Metallurgical Engineering Services, Inc.
Test duration: 168 hours
Date completed: November 5, 2024
Samples were exposed to a 5% salt solution at an average temperature of 97°F to simulate harsh marine and high-exposure environments.
Test results
No red rust observed on selected samples after 168 hours
Minimal corrosion observed on limited samples
All fasteners remained fully functional after exposure
Typical applications
Flush fasteners are used in applications where surface continuity, cleanability and a flush design are required.
Typical uses include:
Industrial machinery
Used on machine panels and enclosures where smooth surfaces improve cleanability and reduce contamination points.
Stainless steel panels
Ideal for stainless steel surfaces requiring a continuous finish without visible recesses or interruptions.
Marine applications
Suitable for marine environments where corrosion resistance and clean, flush surfaces are essential.
Visible design surfaces
Perfect for visible applications where a clean, minimal and integrated surface appearance is required.
Technical specifications
Flush fasteners are available in a range of sizes and configurations to suit different application requirements.
- Head type: flush surface (retractable mechanism)
- Material: AISI 316 stainless steel
- Thread sizes: available in metric sizes (e.g. M3 – M12)*
- Installation: standard hex key access during installation
- Surface condition: completely smooth after tightening
*available sizes depending on application