What Are Aerospace Fasteners?
Posted on January 22, 2025
gabriel adams
Aerospace
Aerospace fasteners are essential in modern aircraft design and maintenance, ensuring that structures are securely joined and capable of withstanding extreme conditions. These components provide a higher level of strength, durability, and reliability than other types, being specifically designed to meet the high standards of the aviation industry. In this blog, we will explore all there is to know about aerospace fasteners, including what sets them apart, their various types, and the materials used for their construction.
What Sets Aerospace Fasteners Apart from Normal Types?
Aerospace fasteners are defined by several important characteristics that differentiate them from standard nuts and bolts.
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Compliance with Aerospace Standards: These fasteners are designed and produced to meet the exacting standards set forth by regulatory bodies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure they can withstand the high pressures and stresses associated with aircraft operation.
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Thermal Resistance: Resistance to fluctuations between temperatures is crucial, as aircraft parts are exposed to sub-zero temperatures at high altitudes as well as extreme heat generated by high-speed flight or engine components.
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Corrosion Resistance: Aerospace fasteners have to be able to withstand exposure to moisture, salt air, and other corrosive elements to avoid degradation over time.
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High Strength-to-Weight Ratios: The fasteners used on aircraft need to be incredibly strong in the face of flight dynamics while not adding any unnecessary weight, so as such, lightweight properties are essential for optimizing aerodynamics and fuel efficiency.
What Types of Fasteners Are Used in Aerospace Settings?
Within the aerospace industry, several types of fasteners are commonly used to meet specific functions in the assembly and maintenance of aircraft parts.
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Bolts: These fasteners feature a cylindrical shaft and a threaded end that accommodates a matching nut. The precise fit between a bolt and nut ensures that components are robustly secured, even under the dynamic forces of flight, leading to their use in joining major aircraft parts.
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Nuts: As previously mentioned, nuts are threaded to match bolts and other fasteners. They serve to resist loosening caused by vibrations and other forces encountered during flight.
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Screws: Another type of threaded fastener, these are typically used for lighter loads or in areas where a more streamlined assembly is required. Screws come in a wide variety of head shapes, thread types, and sizes to suit specific applications, ranging from tiny electronic components to large structural areas.
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Rivets: These permanent fasteners create a tight, lasting bond between metal surfaces. They are frequently used in the assembly of airframes because of their ability to withstand shear forces and uphold structural integrity.
In addition to the aforementioned fasteners, the aerospace industry also relies on several specialized types that serve more unique purposes.
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Blind Bolts and Rivets: Designed for use in areas where access to both sides of a component is not possible, these fasteners can be seamlessly installed from one side, which serves particularly useful for internal structures or panels.
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Lockbolts: Offering a stronger and more vibration-resistant alternative to traditional bolts, the design of lockbolts ensures a more secure fit by using a collar that permanently locks the bolt in place.
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Hi-Lok Pins: These fasteners combine the strength of bolts with the streamlined installation of a pin, providing both ease of installation and high durability.
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Turnlock Fasteners: Also known as quick-release fasteners, turnlock fasteners allow for rapid assembly and disassembly, making them ideal for areas that require frequent entry like panels or access doors.
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Adhesive Fasteners: Though less common, adhesive fasteners are used in applications where traditional mechanical options may not be suitable to bond surfaces together, offering a lightweight and flexible solution.
Which Materials Are Typically Used to Make Aerospace Fasteners?
The materials used in aerospace fasteners are carefully selected and varied to cater to specific strength, weight, and corrosion needs of an area, and we will discuss some of the most common below.
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Aluminum: A popular material due to its lightweight properties and corrosion resistance, aluminum is ideal for non-structural applications where minimizing weight is a priority.
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Steel: Though on the heavier side of materials, steel is widely used for critical structural components that require high strength and durability. Steel fasteners are often treated with protective coatings to enhance their corrosion resistance.
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Titanium: This material is prized in aerospace fasteners due to its combination of high strength, low weight, and exceptional resistance to heat and corrosion.
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Special Alloys: Inconel, Monel, and similar specialized alloys are used in certain applications that demand even greater thermal and corrosion resistance. As such, they are often found in engine components or other areas that are exposed to extreme temperatures.
Where Can I Buy Aerospace Fasteners?
Aerospace fasteners are more than just simple nuts and bolts, and here on Parts Distribution Services, we carry a plethora of components that meet stringent aviation standards. With over 2 billion products from leading manufacturers, you can easily explore our database through our curated catalogs or narrow down exact items of need with our search engine and filters. Keeping this in mind, browse our offerings and get in touch with us at your earliest convenience to experience our unmatched fulfillment options.