Aircraft Fasteners Parts

Aircraft Fasteners refer to hardware that form an affixment; they secure parts together without creating a permanent joint. There are a variety of items that can potentially fall under this definition, such as brackets and hinges, but fasteners define threaded and unthreaded items that form rigid fastening between two objects.

Materials used for Aircraft Fasteners include alloy steel, aluminum, carbon steel, Inconel stainless steel, stainless steel, and titanium. Plating or coating with alloys is common in order to reduce corrosion and increase longevity. Common material coatings include cadmium, chromium, nickel plating, phosphate, silver, and zinc.

We provide high-quality Aircraft Fastener Parts from some of the top manufacturers in the industry: Arconic, Monogram, Fairchild, Eaton, 3V Fasteners, HI Shear, Huck International, PCC Fasteners, LISI Aerospace, Bell Helicopter, and others.

Standards and Traceability

Fasteners vary in required specifications depending on the application. Standards for fasteners specify criteria that apply to composition, material, design, and safety requirements. Fasteners for the aerospace, maritime, and automotive industries generally require more defined standards due to the nature of the environment they operate in.

Due to the variety of applications in which fasteners and alike hardware components are utilized, there are uniform standards that apply to them. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers is one governing body that sets military standards which govern the majority of specifications that apply to fasteners. The former has produced several standards that clarify definitions and types of fasteners, in addition to dimensions and materials that are required. Some fasteners are also set to Military standards (MS, MIL-SPEC, Military Standard, MIL-STD), which identify requirements for traceability, materials, and fastener structure.

Fastener Types and Type Families

Fasteners are organized into a variety of categories based on their application. These categories include the following: general fasteners, drive types, washer types, nut types, and anchoring products. A summary of applicable parts and part types to each category is listed below.

General Fasteners

bolts, battens, buckles, buttons, cable ties, cams, clamps, clasps, clips, clutches, pins, flanges, frogs, grommets, hook-and-eye closures, latches, nails, pegs, nuts, retaining rings, rivets, screws, staples, studs, spacers, threaded fasteners, ties, washers, zippers, etc.

Drive types

Philips and Frearson, slotted, combination, socket, one way, square, and star.

Washer types

 flat, fender, finishing, split lock, external tooth lock, internal tooth lock, square, dock, and ogee.

Nut types

hex, heavy hex, nylon insert lock, jam, nylon insert jam lock, wing, cap, acorn, flange, tee, square, prevailing torque lock, coupling, slotted, castle, and pin lock.

Anchoring products

stud anchors, sleeve anchors, lag shields, machine screw anchors, drop-in anchors, double expansion sleeves, concrete screws, spring toggle wings, plastic toggle, conical anchors, self-drilling drywall anchors, wood screw anchors, hollow wall anchors, nail drive anchors, and anchor bolts.

Aerospace Fasteners

Fasteners used in the aerospace industry vary significantly based on the following criteria: quality, material, and weight. Aerospace fasteners are frequently exposed to corrosive elements during the flight cycle including extreme temperatures, extreme stress loads, pressurization cycles, and chemicals. Accordingly, materials used to construct aerospace fasteners are highly regulated and are set to strict specifications.

Aluminum

This metal is the most common material used to make aerospace fasteners; excluding spacecraft. Aluminum must be cold heat formed and is not an optimal choice if temperatures will exceed 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Components made of Aluminum are susceptible to corrosion caused by stress.

Steel

Stainless steels and alloys are the most common material used in aerospace applications that require high tensile strength. While heavy in weight, steel alloys are frequently used.

• CRES Series Steel: Series 300

Common for screws and bolts

Corrosion resistant but sensitive to high temperatures

• Series 400 has higher heat resistance but rusts

Superalloys

Superalloys are versatile, strong materials that can withstand extreme temperatures. The following superalloys are often used in aerospace applications:  A286, Inconel 718, H-11, waspaloy, Hastelloy, Monel, k-Monel, Haynes, MP35N, and MP 159.

Titanium

Titanium has comparable strength to steel, and it may be chosen over aluminum because it is lighter.

Automotive Fasteners

There are many different types of automotive fasteners, but the most commonly used fasteners in the automotive industry are bolts, nuts, and studs. They vary primarily by material minimum yield strength and minimum tensile strength; the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) sets a graded system of specifications for these fasteners.

Automotive Bolts

These components are used in high tensile applications where a strong, rigid attachment is required. Bolts are technically a threaded fastener with a headed and a threaded blunt end. This component has a long grip length and a short-threaded portion for nut attachment. Common bolts that are utilized in the automotive industry include U-bolts, hub bolts, and wheel bolts.

Automotive Nuts

Automotive nuts are standardly hex or square, with a threaded hole in their center. They are used to secure and fasten bolts. Their grade must match the paired bolt, or the grade must be higher. Automotive nuts have utilized an array of common applications but can be implemented in more complex applications where a t-nut, collar nut, or locking nut may be used.

Automotive Studs

This type of stud has a threaded segment on its polarities and an unthreaded middle section. Automotive studs are secured to materials using nut screws. They are constructed of the following materials: bronze, aluminum, copper, brass, nylon, or plastic. Studs are most commonly used in applications that need higher stress tolerance than a bolt can provide; such as in the fastening of a gasket head and cylinders.

SAE & Metric Standards

SAE (fractional) grades and metric grades are designated to define specified standards for automotive fasteners. Fasteners of SAE 2, 5, and 8; and 5.8, 8.8, 10.9, and 12.9 metric grades are the most commonly used fastening hardware in the automotive industry; each grade designates the appropriate proof load, yield strength, and tensile strength. Grade 5 (metric 8.8) fasteners and Grade 8(metric 10.9) fasteners are the most prevalently used fasteners in the build of automotive vehicles.

• SAE Grade 5 (8.8): SAE 5 fasteners are made of quenched and tempered medium carbon steel. 92,000 PSI yield strength and 120,000 PSI tensile strength is rated for hardware up to an inch in diameter; 81,000 PSI and 105,000 PSI tensile strength is rated for hardware over one inch in diameter. These fasteners are commonly used in bumpers, engine brackets, master cylinders, etc.

• SAE Grade 8 (10.9): SAE 8 is made of quenched and tempered medium carbon alloy steel. These fasteners are used in critical fastening applications such as cylinder applications and suspension. They are designed with a yield strength of 130,000 PSI and tensile strength of 150,000 PSI.

Marine Fasteners

Marine fasteners are predominantly classified by their corrosive properties due to their high exposure to saltwater. In addition, wood is a commonly used material in marine vessels, making galvanic corrosion and crevice corrosion prevalent issues encountered in a marine environment. Accordingly, marine fastener specifications focus primarily on materials, environmental exposure, and load application.

Stainless Steel

Stainless Steel is the most common material used to construct marine fasteners. This material offers optimal strength and rigidity for marine applications and is resistant to applicable corrosion.

• CRES Series Steel 18-8, 304, and 316 are used in the marine industry; 316 offers the highest corrosion resistance.
• Hot Dipped Galvanized Fasteners: Zinc Plated Stainless Steel creates a tightly bonded alloy that provides tensile strength and greater corrosion resistant properties than standard stainless steel. This type of fastener is the most appropriate option for engine applications. In applications with higher stress loads, i.e. shaft coupler bolts, it is recommended to use this material.

Silicon Bronze

The composition of Silicon bronze can be a combination of Copper, Silicon and a variety of high-tensile alloys; however, the most common material composition integrates a blend of Copper, Silicon and/or Zinc alloy.  Silicon bronze fasteners are used in applications that are more regularly in contact with water, or applications below the waterline, and in wooden vessel construction. Silicon bronze is highly corrosion resistant and operates well in the absence of oxygen.