The demand for grommets and washers from both the industrial and technical fabric industries has never been greater. As companies expand their product lines with new and innovative fabric offerings, they continue to rely on Stimpson for quality products and trusted solutions. Stimpson grommets for fabric continue to lead the industry with their versatility, superior fastening performance, and a near-zero defect rate. At Stimpson, we understand that each industrial fabric application is unique, and therefore, we manufacture and supply five (5) distinct grommet and washer product lines in a variety of base metals and finishes to meet those demands. From reliable hole reinforcement to rugged and unyielding grommets, Stimpson is the industrial fabric industry’s fastener source. 

Brass vs. Stainless Steel Base Metals – A Brief Overview 

Selecting the appropriate base metal for your fastening application is an important decision. Differences between brass and 304 stainless steel include corrosion resistance, strength, and brittleness. Both brass and stainless steel remain popular grommet and washer base metal options for industrial fabric applications because of their specific characteristics. 

Stimpson’s solid brass grommets and washers have an alloy composition of 70% copper and 30% zinc. Unlike many alloys, brass is resistant to corrosion even when repeatedly exposed to outdoor marine environments. long_neck_wsaher_brassBrass, by nature, is malleable yet very strong with remarkable tensile strength for even the most demanding applications.  Also, since brass is not as brittle as other alloys, brass grommets and washers typically do not split or rust like iron based alloys.

The 304 stainless steel grommet and washer lines are manufactured from the most durable alloy that Stimpson offers. Stimpson-Stainless-Steel-Self-Piercing_Grommet_Washer_LongSimilar to brass, 304 stainless steel provides excellent  resistance to both corrosion and rust, making this base metal ideal for the harshest of outdoor and marine applications. Since stainless steel contains a high percentage of chromium, stainless steel grommets and washers will “self-repair” when scratched or damaged increasing their service life, making them ideal for the most challenging industrial fabric applications.

Plain Grommets and Washers

Known for their reliability and versatility, Stimpson’s plain grommets and washers are available in both brass Plain_Brass_#2_Grommetand stainless-steel base metals. The brass variant of Stimpson’s plain grommet and washer collection is available in three different finishes including dull black chemical matte oxide finish, nickel plated, solid brass and custom finishes based on customer specifications. Plain grommets and washers are one of the most popular combinations found in industrial fabric applications. 

  • Hole Reinforcement Characteristics: Reliable & Versatile
  • Industrial Fabric Applications: Awnings, boat covers, biminis, dodgers, flags, indoor & outdoor upholstery, signs & banners, mesh privacy screens, tarps, tents, sunshades, sails, sail bags and more.
  • Industrial Fabric Types: Polyester, Vinyl, Nylon, Kevlar, Teflon, acrylic coated fabrics, woven and non-woven fabrics, and more. 
  • Base Metals: Brass or Stainless Steel
  • Finishes: Solid brass, nickel, dull black chemical matte oxide finish and custom finishes based on customer specifications. (Brass variant only)
  • Brass Sizes: #00, #0, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6
  • Stainless Steel Sizes: #00, #0, #1, #2, #3, #4

Plain Grommets and Teeth Washers
Plain grommets and teeth washers are ideal for load-bearing industrial fabric applications such as curtains or in flags that 2-Sheet-Metal-Grommet-Teeth-Washer-Brass-Stimpsonfly continuously. The teeth on this grommet and washer combination prevent the grommet from spinning once set and subsequently provide an overall tighter grasp of the fabric. An added benefit of plain grommets with teeth washers is that premature fabric failure is drastically reduced since the grommet does not spin once set. Plain grommet and teeth washers are available in solid brass, nickel-plated brass, brass with a dull black oxide finish and custom finishes based on customer specifications in sizes #0 through #5.

  • Hole Reinforcement Characteristics: Excellent & Versatile
  • Industrial Fabric Applications: Awnings, boat covers, biminis, dodgers, flags, indoor & outdoor upholstery, signs & banners, mesh privacy screens, tarps, tents, sunshades, sails, sail bags and more.
  • Industrial Fabric Types: Polyester, Vinyl, Nylon, Kevlar, Teflon, acrylic coated fabrics, woven and non-woven fabrics, and more. 
  • Finishes: Solid brass, nickel, dull black chemical matte oxide finish and custom finishes based on customer specifications. (Brass variant only)
  • Brass Sizes: #0, #1, #2, #3, #4, #5

Plain Grommets and Neck Washers
Utilizing an innovative telescoping barrel-to-barrel setting, plain grommets and neck washers reinforce a pre-cut hole using two entire parts, the grommet and neck washer. Specifically produced to reinforce holes in thick industrial fabrics such as canvas, neck washers are often interchanged with plain washers, since the washer’s extended neck allows it to be brass-neck-grommet-washerguided down a track (aka “the roadway”) of the dual feed fully automatic setting machines. The plain grommet and neck washer combination is available in solid brass, nickel-plated brass, or brass with a dull black oxide finish in sizes #0 through #4.

  • Hole Reinforcement Characteristics: Excellent & Versatile
  • Industrial Fabric Applications: Awnings, boat covers, biminis, dodgers, flags, indoor & outdoor upholstery, mesh privacy screens, tarps, tents, sunshades, sails, sail bags and more.
  • Industrial Fabric Types: Polyester, Vinyl, Nylon, Kevlar, Teflon, acrylic coated fabrics, woven and non-woven fabrics, and more. 
  • Finishes: Solid brass, nickel, dull black chemical matte oxide finish and custom finishes based on customer specifications. (Brass variant only)
  • Brass Sizes: #00, #0,  #1, #2, #3, #4

Rolled Rim Grommets and Spur Washers
Known within the fabric industry for their legendary setting strength and resilience once set, rolled rim grommets and spur washers provide a rugged and unyielding setting strength.Rolled-Rim-Grommet-with-Spur-Washer-Stimpson Industrial fabric engineers not only rely on the spurs that line the rim of the washer for a secure setting but they also incorporate the stylish rolled rim of the grommet into the final product for an enhanced appearance. Stimpson’s rolled rim grommets and spur washers offer the greatest strength of fastener setting, making them ideal for marine, outdoor, and upholstery applications where there will be stress at the point where the grommet is inserted into the fabric.

  • Hole Reinforcement Characteristics: Superior & Versatile
  • Industrial Fabric Applications: Awnings, boat covers, biminis, dodgers, flags, indoor & outdoor upholstery, signs & banners, mesh privacy screens, tarps, tents, sunshades, sails, sail bags and more.
  • Industrial Fabric Types: Polyester, Vinyl, Nylon, Kevlar, Teflon, acrylic coated fabrics, woven and non-woven fabrics, and more.
  • Finishes: Solid brass, nickel, dull black chemical matte oxide finish and custom finishes based on customer specifications. (Brass variant only)
  • Brass Sizes: #0, 1, 2,  3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,
  • Stainless Steel Sizes:  #0, #0L, #1, #2, #3, #4

Self-Piercing Grommets and Washers
Fabric technicians often rely on self-piercing grommets and washers to save time during the setting process without sacrificing the setting strength.  Without the need to pre-punch a hole, this fastener combination is constructed to pinch the fabric between the barrel of the grommet and the flat edge of the washer and then cut a hole in the fabric and set the grommet and washer in one single action. Self-Piercing-Grommet-Washer-_2-Brass-Stimpson_Self-piercing grommets and washers are available in both brass and stainless steel base metals, with the brass variant manufactured from a heavier gauge brass and extra long versions for thicker fabrics. 

  • Industrial Fabric Applications: Awnings, boat covers, biminis, dodgers, flags, indoor & outdoor upholstery, signs & banners, mesh privacy screens, tarps, tents, sunshades, sails, sail bags and more.
  • Industrial Fabric Types: Polyester, Vinyl, Nylon, Kevlar, Teflon, acrylic coated fabrics, woven and non-woven fabrics, and more.
  • Finishes: Solid brass, nickel, dull black chemical matte oxide finish and custom finishes based on customer specifications. (Brass variant only)
  • Brass: #0, #1, #2, #2XL, #3,
  • Stainless Steel: #2, #2XL

In addition to grommets and washers, Stimpson also manufactures and supplies eyelets, snap sets and attaching machinery for fabrics and related industries. The depth and breadth of our inventory allow our industrial fabric customers to single-source all of their fasteners, saving them both time and money. As an active member of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), Stimpson is showcasing its complete line of commercial-grade fastening solutions at this year’s IFAI Expo in Orlando from October Oct 1, 2019 – Fri, Oct 4, 2019. Connect with Stimpson at booth 1512 to view our fasteners for fabrics at the IFAI Expo or contact us directly to learn more about our fastening solutions.