To illustrate the vastness of aircraft fastener types and type families, of the six million parts that are used to make a Boeing 747-800, aircraft fasteners contribute to half of that number. Fasteners play a vital role in the overall construction and completion of aircraft. They are used to assemble and hold together various components in primary structure areas, pressurized/non pressurized applications; they are also used to transfer loads from one part to another.
A wide variety of fasteners are used in the construction of aircraft such as: nuts, bolts, screws, clamps, rivets, and many more. Aerospace, maritime, and automotive industries generally require higher standards for fasteners due to the harsh environments they operate in.
We supply fasteners from top manufacturers around the world. Some of the manufacturers that provide high-quality fasteners are: Arconic, Monogram, Fairchild, Eaton, 3V Fasteners, HI Shear, Huck International, PCC Fasteners, LISI Aerospace, and Bell Helicopter.
Fasteners in Aerospace
Aerospace fasteners operate in environments that make parts susceptible to corrosion, degradation and warping from extreme temperatures, high stress loads, pressure variations, and chemicals. Because of this, aerospace fasteners must be composed of specific materials and be designed and manufactured according to high standards.
The fasteners used in aircraft interiors are constructed from an array of materials: steel, aluminum, plastics, alloys, composites, and others. Aluminum alloys have been the standard and preferred material for fasteners because of their strength, lightweight construction, and superb heat and corrosion resistance. Plastic and composite fasteners are also on the rise due to advancing technology allowing for comparable tensile strength and a more lightweight construction.
Automotive Fasteners
The most common type of fastener used in the automotive industry is the head bolt, followed by the hex-headed screw cap, and the stud. Automotive fasteners are designed to bear loads between 65% to 90% of their yield strength. They vary by material minimum yield strength and minimum tensile strength. They are then ranked on a graded system set by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
Marine Fasteners
Marine grade fasteners refer to fasteners that have been designed specifically for the marine industry, according to certain standards that specify criteria for tensile strength and weather/corrosion resistance. Marine grade stainless steel refers to a particular kind of steel that has molybdenum added into is. This alloy means that the steel is completely resistant to corrosion such as rust, making it the ideal choice in a saltwater environment.
Silicon bronze is another popular type of material for marine fasteners. It is composed of copper with silicon and corrosion resistant metals, such as zinc. Silicon bronze fasteners are used in applications that are more regularly in contact with water. This alloy is highly resistant to corrosion from liquids and chemicals, and functions properly when oxygen is absent. This material is also less likely to galvanize other metals it is secured to.
