To illustrate the vastness of aircraft fastener types and type families, of the six million parts that are used to make a Boeing 747-800, aircraft fasteners contribute to half of that number. Fasteners play a vital role in the overall construction and completion of aircraft. They are used to assemble and hold together various components in primary structure areas, and pressurized/non pressurized applications; they are also used to transfer loads from one part to another.
A wide variety of fasteners are used in the construction of aircraft such as: nuts, bolts, screws,
clamps, rivets, and many more. Aerospace, maritime, and automotive industries generally require higher standards for fasteners due to the harsh environments they operate in. We at
NSN Axis, owned and operated by ASAP Semiconductor, supply fasteners from top manufacturers around the world. Some of the manufacturers that provide high-quality fasteners are: Arconic, Monogram, Fairchild, Eaton, 3V Fasteners, HI Shear,
Huck International, PCC Fasteners, LISI Aerospace, and Bell Helicopter.
Fasteners in Aerospace
The fasteners used on aircraft are constructed from an array of materials: steel, aluminum, plastics, alloys, composites, and others. Aluminum alloys are the standard and preferred material for fasteners because of their strength, lightweight construction, and superb heat and corrosion resistance. Plastic and composite fasteners are also on the rise due to advancing technology allowing for comparable tensile strength and a more lightweight construction.
Aerospace fasteners operate in environments that make them susceptible to corrosion, degradation and warping from extreme temperatures, high stress loads, pressure variations, and chemicals. Because of this, aerospace fasteners must be composed of specific materials and be designed and manufactured according to high standards.
Automotive Fasteners
The most common type of fastener used in the automotive industry is the head bolt, followed by the hex-headed
screw cap, and the stud. Automotive fasteners are designed to bear loads between 65% to 90% of their yield strength. They vary by material minimum yield strength and minimum tensile strength. They are then ranked on a graded system set by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).
Marine Fasteners
Marine grade fasteners refer to fasteners that are constructed according to certain standards that specify criteria for tensile strength and weather corrosion resistance. Marine grade stainless steel integrates molybdenum into its makeup. This gives the steel corrosion resistant properties such as rust, making it the ideal choice in a saltwater environment.
