Flat discs with chamfer, normal row ISO 7090-stainless A4 200 HV 17

The combination of strength classes for flat washers with those for bolts and nuts is governed by ISO 898-3:2018, Table 1. Washers with a hardness of 200 HV are suitable for applications with heat-treated bolts up to strength class 8.8 and nuts up to class 8. Applications involving bolts of strength classes 9.8 and 10.9 and nuts of class 10 must be checked during installation. Combinations with higher strength classes must not be used.

Stainless steel refers to alloyed or unalloyed steels that contain at least 10.5% chromium and less than 1.2% carbon. Colloquially, stainless steel is also referred to as stainless steel (NiRo), although not all stainless steel is the same as "stainless".

The term plain indicates a completely untreated, merely oiled, smooth surface for all DIN and ISO screws such as wood screws, hexagon head screws, threaded rods, nuts and many types of washers.

Stainless steels are defined in DIN EN 10088-1 as iron alloys containing at least 10.5 per cent chromium and no more than 1.2 per cent carbon. The multi-part DIN EN ISO 3506 series of standards applies to mechanical fasteners made from stainless steels. Grade A4 is classified as acid-resistant due to its molybdenum content of 2 per cent to 3 per cent. A4 cannot be heat-treated and achieves its various strength classes through cold working to different degrees.