Marine hardware consists of a wide array of products, from padeyes to biminis to winches. Most equipment found on the deck of a boat can be considered hardware. And because all of it is exposed to saltwater on a regular basis, it is all susceptible to rust and corrosion. However, titanium hardware parts will never face this fate.

Typically in the past, marine hardware parts have been made from stainless steel. However, stainless steel is prone to rust and crevice corrosion caused by exposure to a saltwater environment. The high iron content (typically 60%-70%) is what causes stainless steel to corrode away. Titanium’s low iron content (0.3%) means that it is corrosion free. Titanium hardware parts on the deck of a boat will last indefinitely without ever needing to be polished to prevent damage from the natural marine environment.

As any boat owner knows, reducing weight is always an ongoing battle. Titanium weighs about half as much as stainless steel, yet its alloys can be over 3 times as strong. Titanium’s strength-to-weight ratio is one of its most famous benefits. Parts made from titanium can be made with less material and yet maintain a sufficient amount of strength to perform their function.