The 316 stainless steel hex jam nut has a plain finish and meets Deutsches Institut fr Normung DIN 439B specifications. Also called a thin nut, it is thinner than a standard hex nut for use in tight areas and is often used with another jam nut to help prevent loosening. It has six flat sides that a wrench can grip to turn from the side, enabling use when there is no space above the nut. The 316 stainless steel grade provides strength and offers better corrosion resistance than 18-8 stainless steel, especially in marine environments. The material may be slightly magnetic.

Nuts are internally threaded fasteners that are used with bolts and threaded rods and studs to connect components. Several different nut styles fit a variety of application and installation requirements. Some styles, such as hex nuts, acorn nuts, flange nuts, and coupling nuts, must be tightened with a tool. Others, such as eye nuts, thumb nuts, and wing nuts, can be tightened by hand. Some nuts have a self-locking mechanism, such as a nylon patch or distorted threads, that makes them suitable for applications with a high amount of vibration.