Fasteners come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and finishes and each one can be used for a variety of applications. To help you navigate the complex world of specialty fasteners, we have put together a list of the most commonly asked questions from fastener buyers.
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1. What is the difference between a bolt and a screw?
This is a very common question, as the terms are often used interchangeably. In general, bolts are intended to be used with a nut to fasten two components together, while screws are designed to thread into a tapped hole. However, a screw can be used as a bolt with a nut, while a bolt may not always be suitable as a screw. The distinction lies in their intended use and manufacturing tolerances.
2. What are the most common fastener materials and finishes?
Fasteners are typically made from various materials, including steel, stainless steel, and aluminum, each with different strength and corrosion resistance properties. They also come in various finishes, such as zinc plating, hot-dip galvanizing, and PTFE coatings, which provide additional protection against corrosion.
3. What is the difference between coarse and fine threads?
Understanding thread series is crucial, as it influences the fastener's strength, assembly process, and resistance to loosening. Coarse threads (UNC) have fewer threads per inch than fine threads (UNF), making them suitable for rapid assembly in construction due to their resistance to damage and compatibility with thicker coatings. Fine threads, however, are preferred in applications demanding strength and vibration resistance, like automotive and machinery.
4. What are the different types of mechanical anchors and when should I use them?
Mechanical anchors are used to connect materials to concrete and masonry. The provided sources highlight several types, including wedge anchors, sleeve anchors, masonry screws, screw bolts, drop-in anchors, and Sammy's®. Each type has specific applications and benefits, and understanding their differences is crucial for making the right choice. For example, drop-in anchors require a separate setting tool for installation.
5. What is the significance of grade markings on fasteners?
Grade markings indicate the tensile strength of a fastener. For instance, SAE Grade 5 fasteners have three radial lines on the head, while Grade 8 fasteners have six radial lines. Metric fasteners use property classes like 8.8, 10.9, and 12.9, directly indicating the tensile strength in megapascals (MPa).
6. What type of nut should I use with a particular bolt?
Choosing the correct nut for a bolt is vital for ensuring a secure and reliable connection. The sources emphasize nut compatibility, highlighting that specific nut grades are designed for particular bolt grades. For example, ASTM A193 Grade B7 studs should always be paired with A194 Grade 2H heavy hex nuts.
7. How do I determine the correct length of an all-thread stud?
There are two ways to measure the length of an all-thread stud: overall length and first thread to first thread. Continuous thread studs are measured from extreme end to extreme end, including the chamfer, while flange type studs are measured from the first fully formed thread to the next to last fully formed thread, excluding the chamfer.
8. What are Rivnuts, and how are they used?
Rivnuts, also known as rivet nuts, are threaded inserts installed into thin materials to provide a strong threaded connection point. They are typically used in applications where access is limited to one side of the material, such as paneling in truck trailers.
9. What is a structural bolt?
Structural bolts are heavy hex bolts with a full body diameter and a shorter thread length than a standard hex bolt.
10. What is an anchor bolt?
Anchor bolts usually secure a steel structure to concrete. One end is submerged in concrete while the threaded portion is above the surface. Available anchor bolt grades are typically 35, 55 and 105.
Big Bolt Has Big Inventory
Fasteners are used in all industries and applications. They are crucial to virtually every product you see today.
When selecting fasteners for industry application, it’s important that you select the right fasteners for your needs. That means not choosing a specific size and type, but also choosing the right material, coating and more.
Why the Right Fastener Matters
Fasteners may be the smallest component of your industrial product, but they’re among the most critical. It’s essential that you choose a fastener that meets the specific needs of your product and how it will be used.
Choosing the wrong fastener can result in a product that doesn’t hold up over time or under stress. The wrong fastener can also lead to expensive last-minute product redesigns or significantly increase your product cost.
As small as they may be, the fasteners you choose need to be of the same or better quality than the product they support. It’s not just about picking the lowest-cost fasteners – it’s about choosing the most appropriate fasteners to ensure your product’s reliability and lasting success.
Are you interested in learning more about Custom Fastener Manufacturers? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
How to Choose the Right Fastener for Your Needs
When you’re selecting fasteners for your industrial applications, consider these seven questions before you make your choice.
1. How is the Fastener Being Used?
The first thing to consider is how the fastener and the product itself will be used. For example, if the fastener is regularly opened and closed, a durable solid metal fastener makes sense. If a fastener is seldom if ever opened, a lower-priced alternative, such as plastic, might be acceptable.
2. Where is the Fastener Being Used?
Environmental factors affect what type of fastener your product might need. Fasteners used indoors in undemanding conditions can be less robust than those used outdoors or in a more extreme environment. Consider also specific environmental demands. For example, exposure to saltwater can cause 18-8 grade (18% chromium, 8% nickel) stainless steel fasteners to corrode and lose integrity. If saltwater is a key environmental factor, fasteners made from 316 grade stainless steel will be less susceptible to rusting.
3. What’s the Right Type of Fastener?
As you’re aware, there are many types of fasteners available – bolts, screws, nuts, washers, rivets, anchors, inserts, rods, clips, pins, and more – and many variations within each fastener type. For example, you can choose from several different types of screw heads, including flat, oval, round, pan, hex, hex washer, truss, button, and socket cap. There are an equally diverse number of nut types, including hex, cap, acorn, jam, flange, square, tee, torque lock, K-lock, slotted, coupling, and castle.
Each type of fastener has its own inherent strengths, weaknesses and applications, making certain types of fasteners better choices in specific situations. You need to choose the right type of fastener for your specific product needs – how the fastener is being used, what materials it will be fastening, how the fastener fits within the overall product design, and more. You can choose from off-the-shelf fasteners or design your own custom fastener for a specific product need. (Off-the-shelf fasteners are less expensive and more readily available, of course, while custom fasteners may be the only way to meet unique product specifications.)
When determining a fastener type, familiarize yourself with the ASTM fastener standards. You can often use these standards to select the type of fastener you need.
4. What’s the Right Material?
Knowing how and where the fastener will be used should also help you determine the right material for your fasteners. The material you choose affects not just cost, but also the strength and corrosion resistance of the fastener.
You can choose from among these common materials:
- Steel (including stainless steel, carbon steel, and alloy steel) is the most common material used in fasteners today, because of its high tensile strength and durability
- Bronze, while more expensive, is superior to stainless steel in highly corrosive marine environments
- Brass, while softer than steel or bronze, is also highly resistant to corrosion
- Aluminum shares many of the same qualities as brass but is considerably lighter weight
- Nylon, which is lightweight and, unlike other materials, does not conduct electricity
Note that there are different grades within each material type. Choose the grade most suited for your usage and environment needs.
5. What’s the Right Coating?
Coatings are often added to fasteners to increase corrosion resistance. In some cases, though, coatings are purely decorative.
The most common fastener coatings include:
- Zinc plating provides good corrosion resistance, although it can rust if the coating is damaged or exposed to water or extreme humidity
- Galvanizing coats the fastener with a thicker layer of zinc for even better corrosion resistance, although the thicker coating can compromise fastener compatibility
- Chrome plating also improves corrosion resistance and adds visual appeal to the fastener
More chemically sophisticated coatings may also be available for specific applications, including:
- Fluoropolymer resin coatings for lubrication and corrosion resistance,
- Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2) coatings for friction protection with high pressure loads
- Epoxy coatings for impact and abrasion resistance
- Phenolic coatings for high temperature environments
6. What’s the Right Size?
How and where the fastener is used also factors into the fastener size. Heavier-duty applications may require larger fasteners, while tighter designs may dictate smaller ones.
Most fastener types come in a variety of industry standard sizes. For example, metric bolts are sized from M5 to M30, with hole sizes from 5.5mm to 32mm.
7. Which is the Right Source for Fasteners?
Browse all types of fasteners at the International Fastener Expo. IFE is the largest specialty fastener show for fasteners and other industrial products in North America, with more than 650 exhibitors from around the world. This year’s show is at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas and runs from September 21-23.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Lead Screw and Screw Nut.