What is a fastener?

Fasteners are universally accepted as a device to fasten different objects together. Although we do not pay regard to fasteners, they do play a fundamental role in keeping our lives ‘secure’. From the latch on the door to the bread clip to the massive industrial needs, fasteners do help us in our routine tasks, making them simple. Different environs call for the use of fasteners that are suitable to them.

Through this article, I would like to introduce you to the world of fasteners, their purpose, their classification and the materials used to manufacture them. Scroll down to familiarize yourself to fasteners.

What is a fastener?

A fastener is a piece of hardware, used universally to mechanically ‘fasten’ two or more items. It is easily installed or removed by using a hand tool or a power machine.

What is its purpose?

The primary objective of a fastener is:

• To provide quick assembling and disassembling of parts for inspection
• To mechanically join two pieces together, the join can be temporary or permanent.

How are fasteners classified?

They are classified into three types:

1. Temporary: These allow easy removal or fitting without damaging the piece of work. For e.g. Bolt and Nut.
2. Semi-Permanent: These enable quick removal of the workpiece but may result in a slight damage to themselves. For e.g. Cotter pin.
3. Permanent: These do not permit the removal of workpieces and if done may cause harm to it. For e.g. Welding and Brazing.

What are the materials used to make fasteners?

They come in numerous materials, namely:

• Carbon Steel – These are the most commonly used fasteners.
• Alloy Steel – These fasteners are highly hardened i.e. they possess superior resistance to rough marks and abrasions. However, as they are oxide or oil coated, they provide little resistance to corrosion.
• Stainless Steel - Considering that they experience harsh treatment, fasteners made from them are preferable for outdoor and marine applications. They deliver excellent resistance to corrosion, making them costlier than Zinc-plated Steel fasteners.
• Zinc-plated Steel - As indoor applications do not undergo rigorous wear and tear, fasteners made from them are suitable. They are reasonable; the Zinc plating

offers moderate corrosion resistance.

• Brass and Bronze - Decorative applications ordinarily use fasteners made from them. Since they are copper alloys, these fasteners are quite costly but provide exceptional corrosion resistance.
• Chrome and Nickel-plated Steel – These fasteners have smooth and genteel surfaces, while the plating can reasonably endure corrosion.
• Titanium – Aircraft applications employ fasteners made from them.
• Aluminium - Fasteners made from them are used in lightweight sectors.
• Hot dipped galvanized Steel – It has a thicker coating of Zinc, fasteners made from them engage in outdoor uses. These flanges can be utilised with only galvanized nuts and bolts since others won’t fit their thickness.

Apart from this, fasteners are manufactured with a unique coating, helping them to avoid corrosion. These coatings are Cadmium plating, Phosphate plating, Chromium plating, Zinc plating, Silver, Black Oxidizing and Nickel plating.

To know more about fasteners visit http://www.citizenmetals.com

As a budding writer, I'm trying to simplify jargons of the Steel industry by breaking them into small, lucid articles, in a Q&A format. I hope my content helps readers.