What are fasteners?

What are fasteners?
Fasteners are mechanical devices used to join two or more objects together securely. They are essential in various industries, including construction, manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and furniture making. Fasteners come in a wide range of types and designs, suited for specific applications and materials.
General Description of Fasteners
**Functionality**: Designed to hold components together temporarily or permanently.
**Material**: Commonly made from metals like steel, stainless steel, brass, aluminium, and sometimes plastic or composite materials.
**Types**: Can be removable, semi-permanent, or permanent depending on the application.
**Strength**: Engineered to withstand specific mechanical loads such as tension, shear, and vibration.
Common Types of Fasteners
1. **Bolts and Screws**: Threaded fasteners that use a nut or threading within the material to create a secure joint.
**Examples**: Hex bolts, machine screws, wood screws.
2. **Nuts**: Paired with bolts, these are internally threaded components that hold bolts in place.
**Examples**: Hex nuts, wing nuts, locknuts.
3. **Washers**: Distribute load and prevent damage to the surface.
**Examples**: Flat washers, spring washers.
4. **Rivets**: Permanent fasteners used to join sheets of material.
**Examples**: Pop rivets, solid rivets.
5. **Pins**: Used for alignment or as pivot points in machinery.
**Examples**: Cotter pins, dowel pins.
6. **Clips and Clamps**: Hold components in place without threading.
**Examples**: Snap rings, hose clamps.
7. **Adhesive Fasteners**: Bonding agents like glue or epoxy used in place of mechanical fasteners.
8. **Specialty Fasteners**: Designed for specific needs, such as toggle bolts for drywall or panel fasteners.
Key Features to Consider
**Size**: Diameter, length, and thread specifications.
**Material**: Determines strength, corrosion resistance, and compatibility with materials being fastened.
**Coatings**: Protect against rust and wear (e.g., galvanized, anodized).
**Application**: Some fasteners are better for load-bearing tasks, while others are ideal for lightweight assemblies.
Importance
Fasteners play a critical role in ensuring structural integrity, safety, and reliability in assembled products. Selecting the appropriate type and grade of fastener for a specific application is crucial to achieving the desired performance.