Fasteners are components that are used to fasten or attach two or more objects with the use of mechanical means. Some of the hardware items include screws, bolts, nuts, washers, rivets, nails among others. Fasteners are used in many industries including construction, automotive and manufacturing to provide the necessary clamping force for the structural and functional integrity of assemblies. They are available in various sizes, materials, and types to meet the requirements of various uses and offer a secure method of making both temporary and permanent connections.
Different types of Fasteners
There are several types of fasteners, each designed for specific applications:
- Screws: Screws that normally attach materials by being turned into them. There are many types of screws including the wood screws, the machine screws and the self tapping screws.
- Bolts: Bolts are threaded fasteners which are passed through a hole to fasten two or more objects together. Some of the most frequently used ones are hex bolts and carriage bolts.
- Nuts: Bolts are externally threaded fasteners that hold components tightly together while nuts are internally threaded fasteners. Some of them are hex nuts, wing nuts, and lock nuts.
- Washers: Small round plates that are threaded and used together with bolts and nuts to help spread the load, minimize wear and offer a smooth surface. Some of the types include the flat washers, the lock washers and the fender washers.
- Rivets: Bolt that is utilized to attach two or more materials by means of deforming the shaft in order to form another head. There are three types of rivets which are; solid, blind (pop) and tubular rivets.
- Nails: Common, smooth, untwisted bolts inserted into substrates, mainly used in carpentry and masonry. There are common, finishing, and brad types of nails.
- Anchors: These are employed in fixing objects to concrete, drywalls or masonry surfaces. Some of the types of anchors include the plastic anchors, toggle bolts and the sleeve anchors.
- Pins: Pins are employed to fix or position parts or members, especially in equipment. Some of the types are cotter pins, dowel pins, and roll pins.
Different types of fasteners are selected depending on the load bearing capacity, type of material to be joined and the environmental conditions.
Different Fasteners Materials
Fasteners are available in various metal materials, each chosen for its specific properties and suitability for different applications:
- Steel: The most used material for fasteners due to its strength and durability as compared to other materials. It is bought in different grades that include low carbon steel, medium carbon steel and alloy steel. Steel fasteners can be galvanized or painted to improve its resistance to corrosion.
- Stainless Steel: It is famous for its ability to resist corrosion in conditions that are generally unfavourable. It is suitable for use in areas where there is humidity or chemicals are used. Some of the most frequently used grades are 304 and 316 stainless steel.
- Brass: Brass fasteners are made of copper and zinc and are resistant to corrosion and possess good electrical conductivity. They are mostly applied in electrical installations and where a non-magnetic type of fastener is needed.
- Aluminum: Aluminum fasteners are relatively lighter and highly resistant to corrosion and they are commonly used where weight of the assembly is a critical factor such as in aircrafts and automobiles. They cannot be compared to steel in terms of strength but they are perfect for use in areas that do not demand high strength.
- Copper: Copper fasteners are ideal for electrical and marine use since they have good electrical conductivity and high resistance to corrosion. They are mostly applied where conductivity and resistance to corrosion are required.
- Titanium: Titanium fasteners are very strong, light weight and highly resistant to corrosion; they are used in high performance applications including aerospace, automotive and medical industries where strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance is important.
- Bronze: Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin and it is more resistant to corrosion and wear than other types of fasteners and is suitable for use in marine conditions and where it will be exposed to salt water.
- Nickel Alloys: Nickel alloy fasteners are characterized by their high strength and resistance to high temperature and corrosion and are applied in severe conditions, including chemical processing, aerospace, and marine industries.
Each metal material is chosen depending on the conditions that the application will be exposed to or the properties that are required such as strength, electrical conductivity or thermal conductivity.
Features of Fasteners
Fasteners have several key features that make them suitable for various applications:
- Strength: Fasteners are intended to fasten components with required degree of reliability under different loads and stresses. The various materials and different grades offer varying levels of strength depending on the need.
- Corrosion Resistance: There are numerous fasteners that are manufactured from or have a surface coating that is resistant to corrosion, thus can be used in applications that are exposed to the elements, marine environments or chemically aggressive surroundings.
- Versatility: Fasteners are available in many different forms and sizes and are made from a range of materials for use in applications from the lighter domestic to the industrial.
- Ease of Use: As for fasteners, they are relatively easy to be installed and removed so as to meet the need of assembling and disassembling the components. While others such as screws and bolts can be used over and over again depending on how they are used.
- Customization: Fasteners can be ordered in terms of material, plating, threading and head style to meet the requirements of certain conditions.
- Cost-Effective: Fasteners are usually cheap and can be easily sourced hence making them a cheaper option of joining components in different industries.
- Load Distribution: There are some fasteners like washers and bolts which are made to spread loads evenly on the surface in order to avoid material deformation or damage.
Because of these characteristics fasteners are considered as critical parts of construction, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace and many other industries.
Applications of Fasteners
Fasteners are employed in a broad variety of applications in different industries because they are effective in connecting materials. Some common applications include:
- Construction: Screws, nails, bolts, anchors and other fasteners are employed in frame work, roofing and flooring work among others. They are used in fixing materials such as wood, metals and concrete among others.
- Automotive: Bolts, nuts, rivets, and clips are essential for fastening of car parts like engines, chassis, body, and interior parts for safety and efficiency.
- Aerospace: Aircraft and spacecraft fasteners are subjected to very high conditions. Structural and non-structural components are fastened with titanium and stainless steel bolts and rivets which are highly strength and corrosion resistant.
- Electronics: Small screws and other specific fasteners are in the production of electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, laptops, and home appliances. They assist in protecting parts, for instance, circuit boards and screens while at the same time enabling easy access for repair activities to be conducted.
- Manufacturing: Fasteners are used in assembling of machinery, fabrication of equipment and in production lines. Bolts, screws and rivets are used to construct manufacturing tools and equipment and for repair and maintenance purposes.
- Marine: Marine grade fasteners are made of stainless steel and bronze and are used in boats, ships, and offshore structures to support and fasten decks and hulls among other parts.
- Furniture: Screws, nails, and bolts are applied in joining furniture parts mainly wooden, metal, and plastic parts to give strong joints and easy to construct.
- Medical Devices: In medical applications, fasteners are used in assembling surgical instruments, implants and equipment where accuracy, safety and biocompatibility are important.
- Infrastructure: Fasteners are used in construction of bridges, rail roads and highways for the purpose of strength and safety. They assist in joining beams, girders, and other vital members of structures.
These applications show how extensive fasteners are and how they are used in various fields of industries.
