A fastener is a hardware device that joins two or more objects together in a non-permanent way, allowing for future disassembly without damage to the connected parts[1].
Industrial Impact
The U.S. fastener industry operates 350 manufacturing plants and employs 40,000 workers. Each year, Americans use over 200 billion fasteners, with the automotive sector alone consuming 26 billion units[1].
Material Composition
Steel Varieties
Three primary steel types dominate fastener manufacturing:
- Stainless steel: Available in 200, 300, and 400 series
- Carbon steel: Offers robust strength
- Alloy steel: Provides specialized properties
Manufacturers also use titanium and aluminum for specific applications. Special coatings like zinc, chrome, and hot-dip galvanizing enhance corrosion resistance[1].
Common Head Styles
Functional Designs
Flat head fasteners create a flush surface, perfect for clean aesthetics. Socket head fasteners handle high torque applications using hex key drives. Hex head fasteners excel in heavy-duty scenarios, while flange head fasteners distribute clamping force evenly[1].
Military Standards
Quality Control Evolution
World War II sparked the development of U.S. Military Standards for fasteners. The system ensures traceability through bar codes, helping manufacturers track materials from source to supply chain[1].
Safety Regulations
In 1988, a U.S. House investigation uncovered widespread use of substandard fasteners in critical infrastructure. This led to the Fastener Quality Assurance Act, mandating laboratory testing for crucial applications[1].
Alternative Joining Methods
While fasteners create non-permanent joints, other methods like welding, soldering, and brazing form permanent connections. Modern solutions include adhesives, magnets, and vacuum-based systems[1].
Citations:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fastener
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A fastener (US English) or fastening (UK English) is a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together. In general, fasteners are used to create non-permanent joints; that is, joints that can be removed or dismantled without damaging the joining components. Steel fasteners are usually made of stainless steel, carbon steel, or alloy steel.
Other methods of joining materials, some of which may create permanent joints, include: crimping, welding, soldering, brazing, taping, gluing, cement, or the use of other adhesives. Force may also be used, such as with magnets, vacuum (like suction cups), or even friction (like sticky pads). Some types of woodworking joints make use of separate internal reinforcements, such as dowels or biscuits, which in a sense can be considered fasteners within the scope of the joint system, although on their own they are not general-purpose fasteners.
Furniture supplied in flat-pack form often uses cam dowels locked by cam locks, also known as conformat fasteners. Fasteners can also be used to close a container such as a bag, a box, or an envelope; or they may involve keeping together the sides of an opening of flexible material, attaching a lid to a container, etc. There are also special-purpose closing devices, e.g., a bread clip.
Items like a rope, string, wire, cable, chain, or plastic wrap may be used to mechanically join objects; however, because they have additional common uses, they are not generally categorized as fasteners. Likewise, hinges and springs may join objects together, but they are ordinarily not considered fasteners because their primary purpose is to allow articulation rather than rigid affixment.