Industry - Industrial fastener materials
In 2005, it was estimated
that the United States fastener industry runs 350 manufacturing plants and
employs 40,000 workers. The industry is strongly tied to the production of
automobiles, aircraft, appliances, agricultural machinery, commercial construction,
and infrastructure. More than 200 billion fasteners are used per year in the
U.S., 26 billion of these by the automotive industry. The largest distributor
of fasteners in North America is the Fastenal Company.
When selecting a fastener
for industrial applications, it is important to consider a variety of factors.
The threading, the applied load on the fastener, the stiffness of the fastener,
and the number of fasteners needed should all be taken into account. See below for
material considerations.
Industrial fastener
materials
There are three major
steel fasteners used in industries: stainless steel, carbon steel, and alloy
steel. The major grade used in stainless steel fasteners: 200 series, 300
series, and 400 series. Titanium, aluminum, and various alloys are also common
materials of construction for metal fasteners. In many cases, special coatings
or plating may be applied to metal fasteners to improve their performance
characteristics by, for example, enhancing corrosion resistance. Common
coatings/plantings include zinc, chrome, and hot dip galvanizing.
When choosing a fastener
for a given application, it is important to know the specifics of that
application to help select the proper material for the intended use. Factors
that should be considered include:
- · Accessibility
- · Environment, including temperature, water exposure, and potentially corrosive elements
- · Installation process
- · Materials to be joined
- · Reusability
- Weight restrictions
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