Materials
Fepatex produces eyelets in various materials.
The right material for the right application
Our extensive range includes various types and sizes of eyelets made from brass, iron, stainless steel, aluzinc and aluminium. Each material has its own unique properties, making it suitable for specific applications in the end product.
Brass
Brass is a copper-zinc alloy that is easy to process and offers good corrosion resistance. It consists of 2/3 copper and 1/3 zinc. An important characteristic of brass is that it does not rust, which makes it suitable for use in textiles for both indoor and outdoor applications. Brass is also easy to finish, for example by galvanising or colouring. That is why it is the most commonly used material for eyelets.
Iron
Iron is less expensive than brass, but it can rust and is harder, which means more force is needed to set an eyelet. Like brass, iron can be galvanised or zinc plated to delay rusting. Depending on the thickness of the galvanised layer, steel may rust faster or more slowly. Iron eyelets are not recommended for products exposed to water, humid environments or long-term outdoor use. For short-term or indoor use, the risk of rust is limited, but not completely excluded.
Aluzinc
Aluzinc is an alloy of aluminium, zinc and residual metals with a low iron content. It is also known as guardrail steel. It is flexible, durable, environmentally friendly, fire-resistant and offers better corrosion resistance than galvanised iron. Aluzinc eyelets are strong and fire-resistant, without requiring additional finishing or galvanising, which makes them cost-effective. However, iron dust can remain on the surface, which may cause black marks on PVC, textiles and other fabrics. Aluzinc eyelets are suitable for heavy-duty applications.
Aluminium
Aluminium is light and flexible, which means eyelets often deform and are difficult to process on automatic machines. They are not finished or galvanised, which means they can leave black marks. Despite the favourable price and the fact that aluminium does not rust, these eyelets are not ideal for use in PVC and textile fabrics. That is why customers often prefer other materials.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel (SS) is an alloy of iron, chromium, nickel and carbon. It is known for its durability and high resistance to moisture, salt and outdoor exposure. There are different types of stainless steel, each with its own properties. For eyelets, SS 304 is usually used, with limited corrosion resistance outdoors and light magnetic properties. SS 316 eyelets are also available on request. SS 304 offers limited resistance to chemicals such as fertilisers and chlorides.
Metal Coated
Metal coated is a finishing treatment in which a protective silicone top layer is applied to galvanised iron eyelets. This prevents black marks caused by iron dust and helps protect the eyelets against corrosion. The top layer reduces marking on PVC, textiles and other fabric types, while keeping the eyelets strong and durable.