A mudguard is only as good as the stuff it’s made from. Rhino guards are made from premium quality materials. There is a material difference between the 304 that RHINO uses and the highly prevalent 430 used by other manufacturers.
A mudguard is only as good as the stuff it’s made from.
RHINO Stainless smooth dual and self-steer guards on Baxter Concrete trailer built by Convair Engineering. Image: Daimler Truck.
Rhino guards are made from premium quality materials. We do not compromise on quality as outlined in Stainless: The RHINO difference. Be vary wary when looking at other stainless guards on the market, because materials matter.
Quality starts with the raw materials.
There is a material difference between the 304 that RHINO uses and the highly prevalent 430 used by other manufacturers. RHINO uses top quality 304 Bright Annealed (BA) stainless steel on RHINO stainless guards. Don’t be confused or tricked by 304 and 430. Ask for RHINO Guards 304 Bright Annealed (BA) stainless steel.
Stainless steel 304 Bright Annealed (BA) is used to manufacture Rhino stainless guards giving durability and finish. RHINO uses 1.2mm thick stainless steel, which is more robust that thinner products offered and not as heavy as thicker options, striking the optimal balance between strength and weight.
There are three main reasons why RHINO 304 grade stainless is better.
1. Corrosion Resistance:
304 Stainless Steel: Known for excellent corrosion resistance, 304 stainless steel contains higher levels of nickel, which provides a strong resistance to corrosion
430 Stainless Steel: is more prone to rusting than 304.
2. Strength and Durability:
304 Stainless Steel: It has higher tensile strength and is more durable than 430-grade steel. The nickel content gives it better formability and toughness at both high and low temperatures.
430 Stainless Steel: 430 has lower tensile strength than 304 and is more brittle. While it is durable for specific applications, it does not perform as well as 304 in demanding environments.
3. Appearance:
304 Stainless Steel (Bright Annealed): Bright annealing results in a smooth, shiny, and aesthetically pleasing surface, often preferred for applications where appearance matters.
430 Stainless Steel: While it also has a shiny surface, it doesn’t achieve the same high level of finish as 304 stainless steel, particularly when it comes to resistance to tarnishing over time.
Conclusion:
304-grade stainless steel is generally superior to 430 in terms of corrosion resistance, strength, workability, and versatility, making it ideal for more demanding applications.
When comparing stainless – always ask what the material is. Please be wary if you cannot get this information, are told “all stainless is the same” or are supplied with vague information that doesn’t line up with this article.
RHINO stainless guards in ribbed (left), smooth (centre) and rod-edged (right).
Materials matter
RHINO uses high quality 304BA cold-rolled stainless steel, at the optimal thickness for performance and weight. It’s annealed in a controlled atmosphere for maximum shine. Then we shape and finish the guard, creating smooth ripple-free edges and double folding the ends, for extra strength.
