Fasteners

Fasteners
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Fasteners
Fasteners are several parts of any machine whether it is big or small. These
parts are joined in different ways according to their role and position in a
machine.
Such holding devices as nuts, bolts, screws, keys, washers, rivets, anchors,
studs, inserts, rings and pins are called fasteners. The process of holding
together the different parts of a machine is called fastening. Fastening can be of
three kinds.
1. Temporary fastening
2. Semi-permanent fastening
3. Permanent fastening
1. Temporary Fastening
When parts of a machine are joined in such a way that these can be disjointed or
joined again easily, it is called temporary fastening. There is no harm to the
machine or its parts in temporary fastening.
In temporary fastening nuts, bolts, screws, lock pin, and washer are used. These
things are called fasteners. The main temporary has been explained later in the
article.
2. Semi-permanent Fastening
In a semi-permanent fastening method, the fastening may be destroyed but not

work. It is used when the joints have had little chance of re-opening. Such
as soldering, and riveting.
3. Permanent Fastening
They are single-use fasteners designed to be a permanent joint between two

materials or parts. When a permanent fastener is used, the parts will never come
apart. Example of permanent fasteners is rivets, welding, soldering, and brazing.
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Types of Fasteners
Following are the types of fasteners:
1. Nuts
2. Bolts
3. Screws
4. Washers
5. Key and key-ways
6. Studs
7. Rivets
8. Anchors
9. Nails
10. Inserts
11. Retaining rings
12. Clevis Pins and cotter pins
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It is a small block of metal or other material commonly square or hexagonal in
shape. It has internal threads to receive a bolt. Bolts are mostly used with the
help of nuts. According to their working position.
This is one of the widely used fasteners. Bolt is made from a thin rod of metal.
On its upper side, different types of heads are made to fix them. On the
remaining part or a part of it, there are threads. From this side, it can be fixed in
a job or a nut can be fitted figure shows a nut and a bolt.
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Screws are used for joining different parts of machines. Different types of
threads are cut on screws. A screw may be considered as a helix wound around
a cylinder.
Their diameter is comparatively smaller than bolts. Their diameter is up to about

1/4″. The heads of the screws are of different types. The screw is mainly divided
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into four parts.
Its shape is like a round ring. Before tightening the nut and bolt, it is fitted on a
stud or bolt. It is used to ensure the tightness of a joint, screw, etc., and make it
easier to unscrew the nut and bolt and keep their threads secure.
Even if the diameter of the bolt in which the bolt is to be fitted is larger than the
diameter of the bolt, with the washer’s help nut bolt can be tightened easily.
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With the help of a key, the gear or pulley cannot move on their shaft but the
shaft and gear or pulley move together as one unit. A key is inserted between a
shaft and a wheel in the keyway.
This makes the shaft and gear or pulley (or we can use the
term “wheel”) one unit. Keys are generally made of good
quality steel in order to withstand (bear) the stresses.
A key is a machine element that connects a rotating

machine element to a shaft and enables torque transmission. The key helps to
prevent relative motion between two parts. As the below figure shows, the shaft
must have a keyway to fit the key on it.
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It can be termed a headless bolt. A stud is a relatively long rod that has threads
on both ends, the threads may extend along the complete length of the rod.
First, the stud is tightened in the hole of the part to be joined with it and then a
nut is tightened on it.
Its main advantage is that we can separate the upper part simply by opening the
nut while keeping the lower part intact. These studs are mainly of the three
types.
In the round stud, the middle portion is also round. In a square stud, the middle
portion is kept square. The third type is a collar made at a little distance from the
center. It is often used in the cylinder head in automobiles.
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In order to joint the jobs made of sheets or plates permanently these rivets are
used. In the boiler and sheet metal work, it is used for making trunks and
buckets.
Rivets are usually made of mild steel but sometimes they are also made of brass,
copper and aluminum, etc. The rivet consists of only three parts, which are the
head, shank or body, and tail.
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Anchors are types of fasteners, their function is similar to the anchor of a boat,
which inserts itself into the seabed to prevent the ship from moving. Typically, it
is used to attach something to a material such as drywall or concrete. They
insert themselves into the material and keep the object you are affixing.
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It is a small metal spike with a wide flat head, which is pushed into the wood to
hold things together or used as a hook. Nails have been used since the early
years and they have now become a household item.
You can easily understand the difference between a screw and a nail because a
nail does not have threading on its body. The different types of nails take their
names from their applications, which can help you find the right type of nail for
the job you are looking for.
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These are the type of strong threads and are usually cylindrical in shape also
known as thread bushings. They are used for many applications such as securing
long-lasting connections between different materials or repairing stripped
threads.
The typical application of this fastener is to distribute loads from the smaller
diameter of the screw to the larger diameter of the insert.
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The retaining rings are types of fasteners used to hold shafts or assemblies in
place. They are usually designed in different shapes. They are used in many
applications in machinery.
An example of a retaining ring is used to hold the latch pin of an IC

engine piston. In addition, it is also used to hold the assembly together in the
high-pressure fuel pump of a diesel generator. Most retaining rings are one-time
use and replaced when machinery is repaired but some can be reused.
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These are types of fasteners, which are further manufactured from steel pins or
with a cylindrical shaft. These have a hole in the shaft into which a cotter pin is
inserted and bent to act as a staple. These are used to keep the components of
machines in precise position or alignment.
Advantages of Fasteners
Following are the advantages of fasteners:
1. Using fasteners will reduce the weight of the component.

2. They have the ability to achieve high-strength steel up to a tensile
strength of 1500 MPa.
3. Fasteners require minimal space within the appliance.
4. The equipment maintenance of fasteners is easy and simple.
5. They are easy and simple to install in every working place.
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Disadvantages of Fasteners
Following are the disadvantages of Fasteners:
1. If you are using fasteners, this will increase the weight of the component.
2. They usually require holes to fit a fastener that weakens the components.
3. They are able to work at specific points in all types of loads, which will
lead to fatigue.
4. Once fastened, it is difficult to fasten again.
5. They often lead to corrosion.
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Fasteners

In a semi-permanent fastening method, the fastening may be destroyed but not

They are single-use fasteners designed to be a permanent joint between two

Their diameter is comparatively smaller than bolts. Their diameter is up to about

A key is a machine element that connects a rotating

An example of a retaining ring is used to hold the latch pin of an IC

1. Using fasteners will reduce the weight of the component.

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