Fasteners are hardware devices used to join or secure materials together. They come in various types, shapes, and sizes, each designed for specific applications. Below is a breakdown of common fasteners and their uses.
1. Bolts & Nuts
Bolts
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Hex Head Bolt – Standard hexagonal head, used with a wrench.
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Carriage Bolt – Smooth rounded head with a square neck to prevent spinning.
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Flange Bolt – Has an integrated washer-like flange for better load distribution.
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Allen Bolt (Socket Head Cap Screw) – Driven by an Allen key (hex key).
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Eye Bolt – Has a loop for attaching cables or hooks.
Nuts
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Hex Nut – Standard six-sided nut.
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Lock Nut (Nyloc Nut) – Contains a nylon insert to prevent loosening.
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Wing Nut – Has “wings” for hand-tightening.
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Flange Nut – Built-in washer for better grip.
2. Screws
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Wood Screw – Coarse thread for gripping wood.
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Machine Screw – Fine thread, used with nuts or threaded holes.
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Self-Tapping Screw – Cuts its own thread into materials like metal or plastic.
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Sheet Metal Screw – Sharp threads for thin metal sheets.
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Drywall Screw – Bugle head to prevent paper tearing.
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Lag Screw (Lag Bolt) – Heavy-duty screw for wood, requires a wrench.
3. Washers
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Flat Washer – Distributes load and prevents damage.
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Spring Washer (Lock Washer) – Prevents loosening due to vibration.
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Fender Washer – Large outer diameter for thin materials.
4. Rivets (Permanent Fasteners)
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Pop Rivet – Used where only one side is accessible.
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Solid Rivet – Requires hammering or pressing for installation.
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Blind Rivet – Similar to pop rivets but used in tight spaces.
5. Anchors (For Walls & Concrete)
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Plastic Anchor – Expands when a screw is inserted.
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Toggle Bolt – Wings expand behind hollow walls.
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Concrete Anchor (Sleeve Anchor) – For heavy-duty masonry fixing.
6. Specialty Fasteners
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Threaded Rod (Stud Bolt) – Long rod with threading, used in construction.
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U-Bolt – U-shaped for attaching pipes or round objects.
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Clevis Pin – Used with a cotter pin for pivot points.
Fastener Materials
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Steel (Common, strong)
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Stainless Steel (Rust-resistant)
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Brass (Corrosion-resistant, decorative)
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Aluminum (Lightweight, corrosion-resistant)
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Nylon/Plastic (Non-conductive, lightweight)
Key Considerations When Choosing Fasteners
✔ Material Compatibility (Avoid galvanic corrosion)
✔ Load Requirements (Shear vs. tensile strength)
✔ Environment (Outdoor, marine, high-temperature)
✔ Thread Type (Coarse vs. fine)
✔ Head Style (Flat, pan, hex, etc.)
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