The manufacturing of high-quality industrial fasteners—such as bolts, screws, and nuts—begins long before the cold-heading or hot-forging stages. The raw steel, typically supplied as hot-rolled wire rod or bar stock, must undergo extensive preparation to ensure the correct mechanical properties, surface quality, and dimensional consistency required for high-speed, precision forming. This preparation is crucial for preventing defects, extending tool life, and achieving the final product's strength specifications. 1. Raw Material Selection and Testing The first step is selecting the appropriate grade of steel, which dictates the final fastener's properties (strength, [...]

When rust resistance is the paramount design criterion for a fastener, the choice moves beyond standard coated steel to specialized materials that possess inherent corrosion-resistant properties. The most suitable material depends on the severity of the operating environment (e.g., salt water, high heat, or specific chemicals) versus the required strength and budget. 1. The Gold Standard: Stainless Steel Stainless steel is the most widely used and generally recommended material for excellent corrosion resistance across numerous applications. Its performance is based on the presence of chromium (at least 10.5%), which reacts [...]

Executive Summary Brass fasteners are critical components in industries requiring specific material properties that steel or stainless steel cannot offer. Primarily an alloy of copper and zinc, brass is selected for its superior corrosion resistance, non-magnetic nature, electrical conductivity, and aesthetic appeal. This technical report details the functional applications of brass in fastening technology, catalogs the specific fastener types produced, and provides a comparative analysis of the most prevalent brass grades (C26000, C27000, C36000, and C46400) used in manufacturing. 1. Applications of Brass in Fasteners The application of brass in [...]

Bolts and screws need materials with very high ultimate tensile strength (UTS) to carry heavy loads without breaking. In normal environments (room temperature, non-corrosive), the strongest materials are advanced metal alloys and fibers. Below we list top materials by tensile strength, distinguishing commercial alloys (actual fastener materials) from advanced or theoretical materials. Typical UTS values are given (in MPa or GPa) for comparison. Commercial High-Strength Alloys High-Grade Alloy Steel (Class 8.8–12.9): Standard steel bolt grades reach UTS ≈800–1200 MPa (e.g. Metric 10.9 ≈1040 MPa, 12.9 ≈1200 MPa). These are common fasteners made by [...]

Overview: Cold-formed fasteners (bolts, screws, nuts, washers) are typically made from plain carbon or low-alloy steels that are formed at room temperature without quenching or tempering. These steels must balance ease of forming with sufficient strength. Common low-cost grades include mild/low-carbon steels, free-machining alloys, boron-alloyed grades, and microalloyed HSLA steels. Below is a detailed comparison of their chemistry, mechanical properties, regional usage, applications, and trade-offs. Steel Categories and Chemistry Low-Carbon (Mild) Steels (e.g. AISI 1008, 1010, EN S235JR): Carbon ≈ 0.05–0.10%; Manganese ≈ 0.3–0.6%; minimal S/P. These steels have very [...]

Marine fasteners – bolts, screws, studs and nuts used on boats, ships, docks and offshore installations – must withstand very aggressive environments. Seawater and salt spray contain chlorides that attack most metals, so material choice is critical. In this whitepaper we compare common marine fastener materials (316 and 304 stainless steel, silicon bronze, Monel nickel–copper alloy, titanium, and coated carbon steel) in terms of corrosion resistance (including galvanic compatibility), mechanical strength, availability and cost. We focus on corrosion-resistant fasteners for saltwater service and highlight when each material is preferred. Examples [...]

High-strength metric fasteners (ISO grades 8.8, 10.9, 12.9 and above) are typically made from quenched-and-tempered carbon-alloy steels. Achieving their extreme strength and toughness requires careful alloy design. Key alloying elements – Chromium (Cr), Molybdenum (Mo), Vanadium (V), and Nickel (Ni) – control the microstructure and optimize properties like hardenability, tensile strength, ductility, toughness, and fatigue life. The right balance of these elements allows a bolt or screw to reach class 10.9 or 12.9 performance (tensile strengths up to 1200+ MPa) while retaining enough ductility and resistance to fatigue and harsh [...]

Introduction Titanium alloy fasteners are integral to modern aerospace engineering, offering a unique combination of high strength, light weight, and corrosion resistance. In critical applications ranging from airframe assembly to engine components, titanium alloy fasteners for aerospace structures help reduce weight while maintaining structural integrity. This whitepaper explores how specific titanium alloy grades – especially the ones most commonly used in aerospace fasteners – deliver exceptional performance. We focus on the metallurgical aspects: how alloy chemistry (e.g. aluminum, vanadium, oxygen content) influences phase composition (alpha, beta) and microstructure, and how [...]

Introduction Composite and plastic fasteners are increasingly essential components in modern engineering assemblies. These fasteners – which include screws, bolts, nuts, washers, and specialized connectors made from polymer materials or fiber-reinforced composites – offer a unique blend of properties for demanding applications. In situations where lightweight construction, corrosion resistance, and electrical insulation are critical, plastic-based fasteners have become a strategic choice rather than a compromise. Engineers across aerospace, electronics, automotive, medical, and other industries are turning to composite and plastic fasteners to achieve significant reductions in weight, eliminate corrosion issues, [...]

Lightweight metallic fasteners have become increasingly important in modern engineering as industries push for higher performance and efficiency. Replacing traditional steel bolts, screws, and rivets with lighter metals such as aluminum, titanium, or magnesium can yield significant weight savings. These weight reductions translate directly into benefits like improved fuel economy in transportation, greater range for electric vehicles, enhanced payload capacity for aerospace, and better ergonomics in handheld devices. Beyond weight, many light metals offer other advantages – for example, excellent corrosion resistance and compatibility with advanced materials – making them [...]