Tips to simplify designs
The huge diversity of fasteners have been essential to the development of all aspects of technology, from the simplest and most primitive to the most advanced. Holding materials together is a primary capability, enabling construction, manufacturing, and engineering to flourish.
From the Neolithic lashed or pegged-timber frames to the modern, fastening methods have evolved, lying at the heart of the layered revolutions of industry and infrastructure.
This review serves as an introduction to the development of fastening methods and explores the variety of fasteners used in contemporary construction, automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing industries.
Sean B.
Mechanical Engineer
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Jiga is the best way to get the parts you need, when you need them.
How fastening methods have evolved
The use of fasteners dates back to ancient civilizations, where rudimentary methods were employed to bind materials together for both functional and decorative purposes. Some of the earliest fastening methods included:
- Tying and lashing – plant and animal fiber ropes
- Wooden pegs and dowels
- Nails and rivets
- Resin and animal skin based glues
As metallurgy and craftsmanship developed through the Bronze and Iron ages, the types and complexities of fasteners expanded. The Industrial Revolution marked the development of more complex mechanical fasteners and increasing use of machine-made threads. With the invention of machinery and the mass production of metal components, fasteners became standardized and widely available, leading to a variety of fastener types suited for diverse applications.
Types and practical uses of modern fasteners
Fasteners now serve in almost every aspect of modern life, from construction to electronics, automotive manufacturing, and aerospace. Various types of fasteners are available, highly adapted to specific materials, load requirements, and application conditions.
1. Nails
Nails are one of the most common and oldest forms of fasteners. Typically made from steel, nails are driven into wood or other penetrable materials, relying on material compression against the shaft to create holding force. They are available in a huge range of sizes, shapes, and materials, depending on the application.
Common Types of Nails:
- Common/clout nails: Standard nails used for general construction, particularly for wood framing. Upset-forged, flat head on a round shaft.
- Finishing nails: Used for delicate trim work or to avoid visible nail heads. Slight bulge upset-forged head in a round shaft.
- Box nails: Lighter than common nails, typically used in light wood framing.
- Brad nails: Small, thin nails used in finishing carpentry or furniture making.
- Roofing nails: These nails have a larger flat head, specifically designed for use in roofing applications, to increase load spreading and reduce tear-through of thin materials.
Applications:
Nails are primarily used in woodworking, construction, and framing. They are also commonly used in carpentry, furniture-making, and roofing.
Advantages:
- Simple to use and install
- Inexpensive
- Typically strong coupling in shear
- Available in various lengths and thickness
Disadvantages:
- Can loosen over time, as they rely on material compression along the shaft for hold force
- Require a hammer or nail gun for installation
- Not ideal for high-tension applications
2. Screws
Screws are threaded fasteners that provide a stronger and higher tensile capacity hold than nails. They can be installed and removed easily, making them ideal for applications where the fastened materials might need to be disassembled.
Common Types of Screws:
- Wood screws: Designed with tapered, threaded shafts for use in wood.
- Machine screws: These screws have uniform threads and are typically used with nuts or in tapped holes for metal or plastic.
- Self-tapping screws: Designed for use in materials without pre-tapped holes; they create their own threads as they are driven in.
- Thread-forming screws: These appear identical to self-tapping screws but rely on material displacement rather than cutting to form the threads
- Sheet metal screws: Designed for fastening thin sheet metals.
Lag screws: Large screws used in heavy-duty applications, such as securing heavy wood beams.
Applications:
Screws are used in a wide range of applications, including construction, automotive, furniture, and electronics. Their versatility makes them a preferred choice in a variety of industries.
Advantages:
- Provide a strong and high-tensile attachment.
- Can typically be easily tightened or loosened.
- Available in an extensive range of sizes and material.
Disadvantages:
- Require a threaded receptacle that precisely matches the bolt, for installation.
- Installation can be more time-consuming compared to screws or nails.
- Not ideal for applications with limited space.
3. Bolts
Bolts are another type of threaded fastener that is typically used with nuts to create a secure hold. They are generally used for joining two or more parts together, particularly in heavy-duty applications. The bolt’s head prevents it from being driven through the material, and a nut secures it in place.
Common Types of Bolts:
The range of threaded fasteners encompassed by the generic term bolt is extensive. Variations in shaft pattern, thread type, head types and material are extensive.
- Hex bolts: Have a hexagonal head for spanner tightening and are commonly used in construction and heavy machinery
- Socket head bolts: These are threaded fasteners with heads that have a tool-receptacle such as Allen, Torx etc. for tightening with a special tool.
- Carriage/coach bolts: Have a rounded head and a square neck under the head to prevent rotation when installed. These typically have a wood-screw thread pattern.
- U-bolts: Shaped like the letter “U,” these bolts are often used to fasten pipes to surfaces or secure automotive parts.
- Eye bolts: Bolts with a looped head, often used to attach cables or ropes.
Applications:
Bolts are widely used across all sectors – construction, automotive, machinery, and structural applications. They are preferred for applications requiring high strength and the ability to withstand high loads.
Advantages:
- Provide a strong and high-tensile attachment.
- Can typically be easilytightened or loosened.
- Available in an extensive range of sizes and materials.
Disadvantages:
- Require a threaded receptacle that precisely matches the bolt, for installation.
- Installation can be more time-consuming compared to screws or nails.
- Not ideal for applications with limited space.
4. Rivets
Rivets are permanent fasteners used to join two or more materials together, typically metal or plastic. Rivets are generally inserted into loose-fit pre-drilled holes, and the tail end is then deformed to secure the fastener in place. Unlike screws and bolts, rivets cannot generally be removed without cutting or drilling them out.
Common Types of Rivets:
- Solid rivets: Made from a single piece of material and used in structural applications.
- Blind/pop rivets: Designed for applications where only one side of the material is accessible.
- Tubular rivets: Similar to solid rivets but with a tubular body for easier peening.
- Drive/hammer rivets: Installed by hammering them into place or pushing a central distorting mandrel pin into the body, typically used for sheet metal or thin materials.
Applications:
Rivets are commonly used in aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, and construction industries. They are ideal for applications that require a strong and permanent bond.
Advantages:
- Provide a strong and durable hold.
- Reduce risk of fracture and vibration failure.
- Suitable for high-stress environments.
- Ideal for materials that cannot be easily fastened with screws or bolts.
Disadvantages:
- Cannot be removed once installed.
- Require access to both sides of the material (for solid rivets).
- Installation can be time-consuming.
5. Nuts and Washers
Washers are thin, flat discs placed under the head of a bolt or screw to distribute the load and prevent damage to the surface being fastened. They also prevent bolts and nuts from loosening due to vibrations or other external forces. Washers can also be shaped to form a sprung or anti-rotation interface between fastener and surface.
Nuts are internally threaded elements that accept a machine threaded bolt or screw, to form the obverse end of a compressive pairing. Nuts come in various forms for external spanner tightening.
Common Types of Washers:
- Flat washers: Standard washers used to distribute the load of a bolt or screw.
- Lock washers: Designed to prevent nuts and bolts from loosening.
- Fender/roofing washers: Larger in diameter, used to distribute the load over a larger surface area.
- Spring washers: Provide tension to reduce linear overstress and resist vibration loosening.
Types of Nuts
- Hex nut: A six-sided nut commonly used with bolts.
- Lock nut: Designed to resist loosening due to vibrations.
- Wing nut: Features wings for easy hand tightening and loosening.
- Cap nut: A decorative nut with a closed end to cover the exposed end of a bolt.
- Flange nut: Has a wide flange at one end to distribute the load over a larger area.
- Nylock nut: Contains a nylon insert that prevents loosening.
- Square nut: A square-shaped nut that provides a larger surface area for gripping.
Applications:
Washers are commonly used in construction, automotive, and industrial applications, where load distribution and vibration resistance are important.
Advantages:
- Prevents damage to surfaces.
- Helps prevent loosening of fasteners.
- Available in various materials to suit different applications.
Disadvantages:
- Can be challenging to handle during installation.
- Anti-rotation features are of variable performance.
6. Clips and Clamps
Clips and clamps are an extensive array of specialist and general adapters that are designed for specific applications such as pipe jointing, surface mounting of attached parts etc. These fasteners are used to hold materials together temporarily or permanently. They are particularly useful in applications where ease of installation and removal are important.
Common Types of Clips and Clamps:
- C-clamps: Used to hold materials together with adjustable pressure.
- Spring clips: Designed to hold parts together by applying spring tension.
- Hose clamps: Used to secure hoses onto pipes or fittings.
- Locking/jubilee clips: Often used to secure automotive or electrical components in place.
Applications:
Clips and clamps are used in a huge variety of applications, including automotive, plumbing, electrical, and manufacturing industries.
Advantages:
- Easy to install and remove.
- Provide a secure and adjustable hold.
- Available in various sizes and materials.
Disadvantages:
- May not provide as strong a hold as bolts or rivets.
- Can wear out or lose tension over time.
A look into fastener types, applications and materials
Javier L
Principal Systems R&D Mechanical Engineer
"Game changing in the online manufacturing space"
Jiga is the best way to get the parts you need, when you need them.
Conclusion
The evolution of fasteners from ancient methods to modern solutions has significantly impacted the development of technology, services and built environments. Fasteners are essential components in construction, automotive, aerospace, and all sectors of industry and human endeavor.
From simple nails and screws to more complex and often highly specialized rivets, bolts, clamps and washers, the variety of fasteners available ensures that the right tool can be selected for any job. By understanding the different types of fasteners and their applications, professionals can make informed decisions that improve the efficiency, safety, and durability of their projects.
