Bolts and nuts are some of the most popular and essential fasteners. They are used in just about every and any industrial application. Basically, it is safe to say that they are responsible for holding every piece together. This includes constructions, cars, cell phones, and even the chairs we sit on. You can check out Dyson Corp., the one-stop-shop for 100% American-made large diameter fasteners.
For that reason, it is important to know the basics of getting the best fasteners yet. Here are some things to look for before you source in;
Material
It is just as important to choose the right material for your bolt and nuts, not only to just determine cost but also for determining other important factors such as corrosion resistance, strength, and brittleness. The most common materials of these fasteners include steel and stainless steel.
These metals are widely used in industries like automotive due to their strength, durability, corrosion resistance, and formability. Other materials, such as silicone bronze, are more suitable for marine environments, where high corrosion resistance and additional strength are required. Regardless of the material or application, consistent Fastener Quality Control is essential to ensure safety, performance, and compliance. Choosing the right material is a critical first step in ensuring fasteners perform reliably under specific environmental and mechanical conditions.
Coating And Finish
These are usually added to the fasteners for two main reasons; to add corrosion resistance and/ or for decoration. Some of the coatings commonly used include zinc, to increase corrosion resistance, galvanizing coats, for even more corrosion resistance, and chrome which both adds resistance to corrosion as well as for decorative purposes.
Even though zinc coating creates higher resistance, it still is prone to rust if it gets damaged or exposed to water submersion and humidity for long. The thickness of galvanizing coats provides massive resistance to corrosion but it may cause it not to be compatible with other fasteners.
Types
There are hundreds of different types of fasters. Nuts and bolts are among the most popular ones, and they also come in different shapes, sizes, and types. There are certain features and characteristics you should first know before sourcing them.
For example, the type of head you need. You could get a flat head, a pan head, and a truss head among others. You also have the option to design your product within these different commodities. You can utilize the off-the-shelf components, or the other option is to create your unique fastener to suit your requirements.
Size
Sizes are also another factor you want to consider when choosing fasteners. It is also a determinant of where you will source your products from. Usually, you will find different manufactures developing different sizes of fasteners. These come in different ranges including M5, to M6, and even smaller.
It is also important to know the meaning of the letters representing the sizes. For example ‘M’ in M5, what does it mean? This simply refers to major and/ or nominal diameter. It is usually the measurement of the most projecting part of the fasteners, and the measurement that determines the general screw size.
Sources
Another thing to consider is the source. Instead of sourcing from the manufacturer, fasteners can also be channelled through multiple sources. Sourcing directly from manufacturers is highly advantageous for parts in high volume and less variety. On the other hand, you can channel through other sources if you have high diversity in parts.
Your Requirements
You also want to put your requirements into consideration while choosing bolts and nuts. This should have probably been number one on the list. Some of the questions to first find answers for include; where are they used? What are the specification needs? Also, remember to know your threads before making that purchase.
