Sources and scope for this page: Industry convention — no single governing standard (conventional usage, definitions vary between sources), covering the definition of galling. No independent source check is recorded for this page: the content rests on the sources listed and on the working shown on the page. How sources, methods and updates are recorded.
Definition
Galling happens when two metals slide under pressure, weld at microscopic contact points, and then tear apart, pulling material from one surface to the other. It is not gradual wear — it can seize a joint on first assembly.
Stainless steel is notorious for it, particularly 304 and 316, because the passive oxide layer reforms instantly and prevents the surfaces from bedding in. The remedies are dissimilar materials, a lubricant, or a gall-resistant alloy such as Nitronic 60.
Common misuse
Assuming galling is a lubrication problem. It is a materials problem — adding grease to stainless threads helps but does not solve it.