Questions You Should Know about Standard Fasteners Manufacturer

Fasteners are crucial components in many different industries, from manufacturing to construction. They have the vital function of holding machinery and structures together. This comprehensive blog will address ten frequently asked questions about fasteners to help you understand their types, divisions, materials, and how to select the best one for your project.

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What Do Fasteners Do and Why Do We Need Them?

Fasteners are physical components used to connect two or more items firmly. They are essential to various industries, including manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, and construction. Fasteners provide the following vital tasks:

• Connection: Fasteners connect different pieces, ensuring that they stay firmly in place even when subjected to stress or vibration.
• Structural Integrity: They support structures’ stability and safety, including machinery, vehicles, and buildings.
• Adjustability: When necessary, fasteners enable adjustments, repairs, and disassembly.

What Kinds of Fasteners Are There?

There are many different types of fasteners, each having a particular use:

• Bolts: Bolts are threaded fasteners that usually need a nut to join two or more components. Hex bolts, carriage bolts, and eye bolts are some sizes and forms they come in.
• Screws: Screws contain threads that can be driven directly into plastic, metal, or wood. They consist of self-tapping, machine, and wood screws.
• Nuts: To make a strong connection, nuts are often used with bolts. Hex nuts, lock nuts, and wing nuts are typical types.
• Washers: Washers are flat, thin discs placed beneath the nuts or bolts’ heads to disperse pressure and guard against surface damage.
• Pins: Cylindrical fasteners, known as pins, fit into holes to stop relative motion between components. Dowel pins and cotter pins are two examples.
• Rivets: Rivets are long-lasting fasteners that bind materials together by deforming the rivet’s end. They are typical in the automotive and aerospace sectors.
• Clips and clamps: These fasteners, such as hose clamps and spring clips, use spring tension to keep items together.

What Types of Fasteners Are There?

Several factors are used to categorize fasteners, including:

• Type of Thread: Whether they are self-tapping, have coarse or fine threads, etc.
• Materials: Fasteners can be constructed from various materials, each with specific qualities, including steel, stainless steel, brass, aluminum, and more.
• Head Style: The fastener’s installation and appearance are governed by the head’s shape, which can be hex, flat, round, or pan.
• Drive Type: The style of the driver or installation tool, such as Torx, Phillips, or slotted.
• Coating: Fasteners like galvanizing or zinc plating may have a coating or finish for corrosion resistance.
• Size: Fasteners come in a variety of sizes, which are primarily determined by thread pitch, length, and diameter.

What Materials Are Used to Make Fasteners?

Various materials can be used to create fasteners, and the decision is based on the application:

• Steel is widely used in the building and automobile industries because of its durability. Additional divisions include carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel.
• Stainless steel is famous for resisting corrosion, making outdoor and marine applications excellent.
• Aluminum is popular in the aerospace and automotive industries because it is lightweight and corrosion-resistant.
• Excellent corrosion resistance is provided by brass, which is frequently used for ornamental purposes.
• Titanium is employed in aeronautical and medical applications because of its excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
• Plastics are used for conductive-free, lightweight applications.

The choice of material affects cost, cost-effectiveness, and corrosion resistance.

What Are My Options for the Best Fastener for My Project?

Several variables need to be taken into account while choosing the correct fastener:

• Determine the load and tension that the fastener will withstand. It affects the type of material, size, and strength required.
• Environment: Consider the circumstances the fastener will face, such as wetness, extremely high or low temperatures, or chemicals.
• Materials Being Joined: Verify that the fastener material and the materials it will join are compatible.
• Installation: Pick a fastener that works with the tools and supplies you have on hand.
• Corrosion Resistance: Choose a fastener with the proper corrosion resistance for the environment.
• Appearance: In some circumstances, the fastener’s appearance may be significant for aesthetic reasons.
• Cost: Take into account the fastener’s price as well as its accessibility.
• Compliance with all applicable industry and safety regulations is required.

How Do I Install a Fastener Correctly?

Compliance with all applicable industry and safety regulations is an absolute necessity when it comes to fastener installation. Installing fasteners correctly is not merely a matter of structural integrity but also a fundamental aspect of ensuring safety and preventing potential hazards.

Proper installation techniques, torque specifications, and material choices must align with industry standards and safety regulations. Deviating from these guidelines can lead to compromised structural stability, which may result in accidents, equipment failure, or injury.

Furthermore, adhering to regulations is crucial in environments where specific safety standards are mandated, such as aerospace, automotive, and construction industries. Failing to comply with these regulations can lead to legal consequences and compromise the quality and reliability of the final product.

Do Any Best Practices or Industry Standards Exist for Installing Fasteners?

Yes, there are important rules to abide by when fixing fasteners:

• Make sure the objects being secured are clean, free of obstructions, and positioned correctly.
• Tools: Make use of the tools and machinery necessary for the particular type of fastener. It can be required to use a socket wrench, torque wrench, or screwdriver.
• For information on the fastener’s recommended torque (tightening force), consult the manufacturer’s specifications. Undertightening could lead to a poor connection while overtightening could harm the materials or the fastening.
• Make sure that the fastener thoroughly contacts the threads. Insufficient thread engagement can weaken the joint.
• Use of thread lubricants or anti-seize chemicals in specific circumstances can help with installation and stop corrosion.
• Applying torque evenly will help to prevent uneven stress distribution. Lightly tighten the fastener first, then gradually build up the torque until it reaches the desired value.
• Safety: When necessary, wear the proper protective gear, such as gloves and eyewear.

Why Is Torque Important and What Is It?

When installing fasteners, torque is a crucial consideration. It symbolizes the rotating force used to tighten a fastener. For fasteners to operate correctly and consistently, understanding torque is vital.

What Part Does Torque Play in Installing Fasteners, and How Is It Measured Precisely?

It is essential because torque controls the clamping force supplied to the joint. The fastener will securely keep the materials together with sufficient clamping force. With a torque wrench, which enables you to exert a specified amount of force during installation, you can measure torque correctly. Following the torque recommendations provided by the manufacturer is crucial to prevent under- or overtightening, which can result in joint failure or fastener damage.

What Makes a Fastener Threaded or Non-Threaded?

The distinction between threaded and non-threaded fasteners is made according to the particular application and specifications.

What Distinguishes Threaded Fasteners From Non-Threaded Ones, and When Should Each Type Be Used?

Fasteners With Threads: This type connects fasteners to the objects they are securing, such as bolts, screws, and nuts. Threaded fasteners can offer a reliable, adjustable connection and are adaptable. They are perfect for applications where it might be essential to disassemble and reassemble.

Non-Threaded Fasteners: Non-threaded fasteners lack threads, such as rivets and pins. When a permanent, non-adjustable connection is needed, they are frequently utilized. Non-threaded fasteners are appropriate for applications like the assembly of automobiles and the construction of aircraft because they can provide good shear strength.

The decision between threaded and non-threaded fasteners is influenced by the joint’s particular load requirements and the desired degree of adjustability.

What Effect Do Environmental Factors Have on Fasteners?

Environmental factors can considerably impact the performance and longevity of fasteners. When choosing and installing fasteners, these aspects must be taken into account.

What Does The Performance of Fasteners Differ Depending on Variables Like Temeprature, Humidity, and Chemical Exposure?

• Temperature: Materials can expand or contract in response to extreme temperatures, which can alter the gripping force of fasteners. Fasteners, for instance, might need to be tightened more in cold conditions to accommodate for thermal contraction.
• Humidity: For fasteners composed of materials like steel, a high humidity level can cause corrosion. In humid environments, stainless steel fasteners are more corrosion-resistant.
• Exposure to Corrosive Chemicals: Over time, exposure to corrosive chemicals can cause fasteners to degrade. Choosing materials or coatings with corrosion resistance is crucial for situations with chemical exposure.
• Vibration: Using locking fasteners or thread-locking adhesives can assist in loosening in applications where vibration is problematic.
• UV Light: Fasteners that are exposed to UV light may degrade with time. For outdoor applications, think about utilizing UV-resistant materials or coatings.

To choose the proper materials and maintenance procedures to maintain the longevity and dependability of your fasteners, it is essential to understand the environmental conditions they will encounter.

What Common Errors Should You Prevent When Using Fasteners?

For a project to be successful, typical mistakes in fastener selection and installation must be avoided. The following errors to watch out for and advice on how to avoid them:

• Ignoring Manufacturer Specifications: When it comes to torque recommendations and fastener types, always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
• Overtightening: Excessive torque can peel threads, deform materials, and harm fasteners. To apply the proper force, use a torque wrench.
• Under-Tightening: If a fastener is not tightened enough, it may cause a loose connection and eventual joint failure. Observe torque recommendations precisely.
• Improper Fastener Type: Using the improper type of fastener for an application might result in structural failure or flaws. Depending on the needs of your project, choose the suitable fastener.
• Neglecting Environmental Factors: Corrosion and decreased fastener performance may occur from ignoring environmental factors. Consider the environment the fasteners will use while choosing the material and coatings.
• Skipping Proper Thread Engagement: A weak joint might result from inadequate thread engagement. Make sure the fastener completely encircles the threads in the materials being attached.
• Ignoring Surface Preparation: Improper surface alignment and cleaning before installing fasteners can result in misalignment and lower clamping force.
• Neglecting Maintenance: Regular inspection and maintenance are essential after fasteners have been installed. Keep an eye out for corrosion, wear, or loosening, and take immediate action to fix any problems.
• Choosing Incompatible Materials: To prevent galvanic corrosion or decreased performance, use compatible fasteners and materials in terms of corrosion resistance and strength.
• Neglecting Safety: When using fasteners, safety must always come first. During installation, use the proper safety equipment, abide by the safety rules, and watch out for any dangers.

You can ensure that your fasteners work at their optimum and contribute to your project’s overall safety and durability by avoiding these typical blunders and following best practices.

1. What Makes Fasteners Deteriorate?

Photography Credit: David S. Wallens

In addition to fatiguing from the cyclical loading and offloading, ferrous materials can deteriorate over time due to stress corrosion cracking, rust, permanent deformation and/or galling. It’s good practice to not reuse old fasteners for any critical application without carefully and thoroughly inspecting them.

2. What Do Those Markings Mean?

Photography Credit: Bill Holland

Most quality commercial fasteners have markings on the head. Three lines on an SAE bolt indicate Grade 5, or a tensile strength of 120,000 psi. Some racing associations require at least Grade 5 bolts for attaching roll bars and the like. The metric equivalent is stamped “8.8.”

Six lines denote Grade 8 hardware, which has a nominal rating of 150,000 psi. Class 10.9 is the metric equivalent.

ARP stamps its initials on its bolt heads, and sometimes it also places identifiers regarding the materials and/or tensile strength. The company’s cylinder head, main bearing, connecting rod and driveline fasteners are rated at a minimum 200,000 psi–some are even rated as high as 280,000 psi.

Bottom line: If the head of a bolt is blank, beware.

3. Coarse or Fine Thread?

There are several reasons why fine-threaded fasteners are stronger than coarse, not the least of which is the larger minor thread diameter (better shear strength) and more threads (improved tension load). Fine threads also have less of a tendency to loosen because the thread incline is less steep. While fine threads are more easily tapped into hard materials and thin-walled tubes, coarse threads are better suited to softer materials, like aluminum and cast iron.

4. What do Fasteners and Springs Have in Common?

To achieve preload or clamping force, a fastener should be stretched a measured amount. A properly installed fastener works like a spring: The resulting “rebound” applies clamping force.

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A typical 3/8-inch-diameter rod bolt made of chrome moly will need to be stretched about 0.006 inch to achieve a 10,000-pound clamping force. And, like a spring, if you don’t pull it very far, there’s little rebound; if you pull it too much, it will not return to its original length and shape–and will fail in service.

5. How Do Your Select the Proper Bolt?

If you want to order the correct fastener for a given application, you’ll need to consider at least eight dimensions. They include:

1. underhead length
2. thread length
3. grip length
4. thread type
5. grip diameter
6. wrenching
7. head height and collar diameter You’ll also need to decide whether you want standard hex or 12-point heads.

6. Head Studs or Head Bolts?

Photography Credit: David S. Wallens

With bolts, torque is applied by twisting them into the block. Conversely, studs are installed fingertight into the block, and the clamping force comes from tightening the nut against the cylinder head and pulling up on the stud. Ergo, studs are much “easier” on the block.

Secondly, the use of studs assures proper head gasket positioning and easy installation of the cylinder head. To this end, ARP grinds its head studs with precision centerless grinding after heat treatment so they’re perfectly concentric and the heads literally drop into position. Lesser-quality studs are often not ground or are heat-treated after machining and threading, so installing the head can be a chore. In the past there have been clearance issues with the use of studs, but ARP hex-broaches its studs to facilitate easy installation and removal. Case closed.

7. What's Preload Scatter and How Can You Prevent It?

When you apply torque to a fastener, much of the energy is expended on overcoming friction in the threads, any load-bearing surface (the underside of the bolt head or nut and washer against whatever surface it’s tightened against) and, most importantly, the lubricant itself. (Note that moly, oil, diesel lube and the like all put up varying degrees of resistance).

As a result, the torque wrench may “click” at the desired setting–but it doesn’t mean the desired preload has been achieved. This is called preload scatter. The difference between actual and desired preload can be dramatic–as much as 30 percent.

Now picture uneven preload placed on adjacent bolts or studs in a cylinder head. Result: distortion of the cylinder bore and a negative impact on piston ring seal.

For decades, the only proven method for assuring consistent preloading was to cycle the fastener–torque, loosen, re-torque–up to a halfdozen times to mitigate the friction. Now there’s an easy way. Following extensive testing, ARP introduced their Ultra-Torque Fastener Assembly Lubricant, and they say it delivers 95 to 100 percent of the desired preload on the first–and any subsequent–pull of the torque wrench.

8. What are TTY Bolts and Why Replace Them?

For the past 30 years or so, most automobile manufacturers have built engines employing robotic devices and torque-to-yield, aka TTY, fasteners. Head, main and rod bolts are tightened to 95 to 120 percent of their yield, and anything past 100 means their material has stretched to the point of deformation. This is acceptable provided you don’t modify the engine and put extra strain on it, or service the engine and reuse the TTY bolts.

ARP engineers its fasteners to exceed factory specification loads by 25 percent or greater while installed at 75 percent of their yield strength, increasing the load-carrying capabilities and leaving enough of a margin to ensure the fastener remains reusable.

9. What's the Right Washer for the Job?

You won’t find split or locking washers in ARP’s catalog, because those pieces aren’t appropriate for most automotive applications. They’re only suitable for applying slight tension under extremely light loads–in a double-shear joint, for example, where tension on the bolt is only required to keep it in place.

Yes, you will find Special Purpose ARP washers, but these are made from premium chrome moly alloy, hardened and parallel-ground to ensure equal distribution of force. These should be used in high-preload applications. The General Purpose washers are softer and intended for light loads, like attaching accessories. ARP also makes Insert Washers that protect the tops of columns in an aluminum cylinder head from galling or collapsing in on the bolt or stud

10. What's the Best Method for Using Anaerobic Glues and Fastener Lubes?

For most high-preload applications like cylinder heads, main caps and connecting rods, fastener lube by itself is sufficient. If the bolt or stud is “wet”–meaning that it protrudes into a water passage–then you’ll want to use a sealer.

And for some applications, like flywheels, clutches and ring gears, most racers prefer to use Loc-Tite or a similar anaerobic glue. If you wish to follow suit, the tech team at ARP strongly recommends the following method:

Sequentially secure all fasteners by torquing to the required level first, using oil as the lubricant. Next, remove and clean the first fastener and thread. Then, apply Loc-Tite and promptly re-torque the bolt before moving on to the next one.

Why this procedure? Because while a group of fasteners is tightened, the anaerobic glue sets up quickly and can start to harden before the desired torque is applied to the last ones–which then throws off everything.

11. Why Replace OEM Driveline Fasteners?

The simple answer is that replacing OEM driveline fasteners with upgraded hardware provides an extra margin of safety at high-rpm operation.

Take wheel studs as an example. The stock ones are manufactured to commercial specifications: casehardened and not engineered to handle the extreme side loads seen during road racing. Quality aftermarket pieces designed to withstand 200,000 psi might be a smart move.

12. Why Should You Measure Your Rod Bolts?

Photography Credit: Bill Holland

Rod bolts are the most critical fasteners in an engine. Failure here can have catastrophic results. Most failures, according to ARP, come as a result of bolts that are either under-torqued or, in some rare cases, over-torqued.

The only sure way to determine the correct amount of preload is by measuring the stretch of each rod. To do this, keep a log of all rod bolts, measuring their length before installation and after disassembly. If the bolt has permanently stretched more than 0.001 inch, it has past its yield point and should be replaced.

13. How Accurate is Your Torque Wrench?

Photography Credit: Bill Holland

ARP has tested torque wrenches for competitors at tracks across the nation and found that a large percentage were inaccurate– some by as much as 30 percent. Obviously this can have a huge impact on obtaining the proper fastener preload. The moral of the story: Have your torque wrench tested periodically and handle it carefully. It’s a very delicate instrument.

14. How Do Stainless-Steel Accessory Studs Make Life Easier?

There are several important reasons why studs are preferred for attaching things like valve covers, oil pans, exhaust headers and, on inline engines, intake manifolds. Studs assure proper gasket alignment, guide the components into place, and provide compact wrenching.

Details count: ARP’s offerings have a rounded nut-starter nose to speed up installation time, and they’re made of a proprietary stainlesssteel alloy that’s very heat-resistant and won’t rust.

15. How Does Manufacturing Affect Strength?

Photography Credit: Bill Holland

Two bolts may look alike, but they can have dramatically different load bearing capabilities and service life. Four grades of chrome moly steel are typically used to make fasteners: commercial, aircraft quality, cold head quality (CHQ), and seamless defect free (SDF). Depending on the application, ARP uses only the more expensive CHQ or SDF steel.

Then there’s the method of heat-treating. Some manufacturers merely throw them in a basket and batch-treat. ARP has special racks that hold the bolts and studs in such a way that each part receives the exact degree and duration of heat and quench.

To save time and effort, some manufacturers also cut the threads before heattreating– when the material is softer and easier to form. ARP does it after heat treatment to aerospace MIL-S- specifications, giving the threads incredibly higher fatigue strength.

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