Aerospace fasteners are easily one of the underrated components that provide a crucial function in the entirety of aviation vehicles and equipment. The necessity for high-quality and precision aerospace fasteners can be run down into different requirements as they are expected to perform efficiently for the safety of the workers and passengers.

There are various types of aerospace fasteners depending on the type of assembly or applications in different parts of aviation vehicles. Generally, they help in attaching components and structural integrity of the entire body of aviation vehicles like airplanes, spacecraft, helicopters, and others.

Types of Aerospace Fasteners

Broad and complex types of aerospace fasteners are used in various areas and parts of the industry, but here are some of the most common types:

• Aircraft Bolts

Just like standard bolts aircraft bolts have external thread which is used for non-permanent assemblies. Aircraft bolts provide excellent strength and resistance to dynamic loading and corrosive elements. They are often made of high-strength steel or aluminum alloys with specialized coatings to enhance their ability to withstand corrosion.

• Aircraft Rivets

Rivets are made for permanent fastening in some parts of aircraft vehicles. They are often used in joining metal sheets around the outer body of airplanes as they provide a strong grip on the materials.

• Hi-lok Pins

Specialized components like Hi-lok pins are made to maintain constant preload during operation and use of aircraft. They provide a reliable connection through their threaded pin and collar that exhibits good strength and resistance to fatigue.

• Adhesive Fasteners

Adhesive fasteners are significantly different from mechanical fasteners as they can be not as strong but will employ a high-performance level with the help of aerospace adhesives, anchors, and hooks. They are commonly applied in wire management systems or joining sheet panels.

General Characteristics of Aerospace Fasteners

Among the myriad types of fasteners in aerospace applications, the components are expected to have precision qualities that can perform efficiently. Due to several environmental challenges and conditions in the industry, its ultimate requirements enable the security of connections that ensure the safety of materials and people. Here are the most required properties of aerospace fasteners:

• High Strength

The first and most important quality of aerospace fasteners should be having high tensile and shear strength for withstanding load and force. Aircraft vehicles and equipment are usually exposed to immense pressure and stresses during operations thus having high-strength fasteners ensures they will not fail. Moreover, dynamic loads such as heavy turbulence are an important consideration that requires good fatigue strength and resistance from fastening components. 

• Thermal Resistance

Aerospace vehicles like spacecraft and military airplanes are often exposed to extreme temperatures which can cause thermal failure and sometimes even breakage of devices. Fasteners intended for such applications should be capable of performing in the presented conditions and have an ultimate resistance to temperature.

• Corrosion Resistance

Corrosion resistance is generally required in almost all kinds of fastener applications, especially in the aerospace industry. Aerospace fasteners can be exposed to moisture and other elements that permit corrosion of materials hence it is required that they have excellent resistance to such extremities.

• Lightweight

With the millions of fasteners and components around a single aircraft vehicle, it’s certainly required to have more lightweight properties. This is because any extra weight can lead to issues and malfunctions in the overall operation of the aircraft. Materials like aluminum are one of the suitable metal fasteners that are often employed in the aerospace industry.

Why Aerospace Industry Require High-quality Precision Fasteners?

Most fastening components in the industry are made through custom designs that can match the exact needs of the aircraft, while standard fasteners are also employed in common areas such as the exterior and interior of the body. It’s important to consider the high standard requirements of aerospace fasteners to eliminate risks and compromise the structural integrity of its systems and assemblies.

As mentioned in the above articles, the aerospace industry has intricate requirements for the quality of aerospace fasteners because they play a crucial role in keeping the operation of vehicles well-structured to avoid putting the lives of many at risk. One malfunction in aerospace fasteners is enough to compromise the entire system of its assembly and joints leading to unwanted accidents. 

Manufacturer and Supplier of Custom Fasteners and Wholesale Industrial Components

Prince Fastener Manufacturing Co., Ltd. is a renowned manufacturer and supplier of different fastening materials from standard to non-standard fasteners. With over 30 years of industrial manufacturing experience in various industries, the company has an excellent reputation for meeting the needs and demands of customers and applications. We manufacture a variety of fastener types from screws, bolts, nuts, studs, and more in the highest quality possible to enable successful fastening of assemblies and joints.

When looking for a reliable supplier of fasteners and custom fasteners for industry projects or business, let Prince Fastener deliver satisfaction from our precision products and efficient services.