Question grommets material

[dmaziuk]

I need to punch a few holes in wife's BCD to attach trim weight pouches (camband is not an option because She Said So). The best I can find for grommets is Stimpson 304 stainless. Anybody knows how well they fare in salt water? And/or can suggest a better option? -- 316 seems to be obtainable but only in China (if you trust their grades), alumin(i)um ones exist and would probably do, and I'm not sure I want brass ones for this.

TIA

 

[happy-diver]

Stainless can be difficult to install with a punch, due to hardness and splitting
I mostly use brass as it is a beautiful thing then some indellible marker on top

 

[dmaziuk]

Stainless can be difficult to install with a punch, due to hardness and splitting
I mostly use brass as it is a beautiful thing then some indellible marker on top

Thanks, brass it is. I ended up using "kydex sheath" eyelets with regular backing washers, as the thing's too thick for the regular grommets.

 

[-JD-]

Another option is to melt-seal the holes in the material/webbing and bolt it together tightly using bonded EPDM/stainless washers. The EPDM does a good job of distributing the load away from the hole itself.