Zinc Alloy Iron Brass and Stainless Compared for Bag Hardware
Four materials, four different reasons to choose them, and the corrosion question that decides most pet and marine jobs.
Zinc Alloy
Die cast zinc alloy gives the cleanest cast face and the best plated finish, and it can hold three dimensional detail such as an embossed logo or a heart profile. It is the default for visible bag hardware and for anything with a brand mark on it.
Iron
Stamped and formed iron is cheaper at larger sizes and can be made in thinner sections with spring temper. It is the right choice for parts that are hidden inside a strap fold, such as rectangle rings, or where a rolled edge is needed, such as purse feet.
Brass
Solid brass has no plating layer to scratch through, so it does not fail the way a plated part does. Dog hooks and collar buckles used near salt water are the clearest case for brass, and brass parts are usually supplied in their natural colour.
Stainless Steel
Stainless, and 304 in particular, is the corrosion benchmark and the reason shower curtain rings are made from it. The trade offs are weight, cost and a very narrow colour range, so it is rare in fashion bag hardware.
Choosing in Practice
Ask two questions. Will the part be seen, and will it get wet? A visible dry part is zinc alloy. A hidden dry part can be iron. A wet part is brass or stainless, whatever it looks like.
Parts This Guide Refers To
Questions About This Guide
Answers to the questions buyers ask before they order.
Is Zinc Alloy Strong Enough for a Dog Lead
Zinc alloy clasps are used on leads every day, but the body section matters more than the alloy. For large breeds choose the heavier bodied styles or solid brass, and test samples against your own pull specification.
Why Is Iron Cheaper Than Zinc Alloy at Larger Sizes
Iron parts are stamped and formed from sheet rather than pressure cast, so material and cycle cost rise more slowly as the part gets bigger.
Send Us the Part You Are Specifying
A photograph and a webbing width are usually enough for us to say which catalogue style fits and what it costs.