Time to read: 6 min
Aerospace fasteners are the linchpins of aircraft construction, ensuring the secure assembly of components under the most demanding conditions. This guide provides an in-depth look at the types, materials, and qualities of aerospace fasteners, highlighting their critical role in the aviation industry.
Understanding Aerospace Fasteners
Aerospace fasteners are specialized hardware designed to meet the stringent safety and performance requirements of the aviation industry. These fasteners are essential for assembling various parts of commercial airplanes, military aircraft, jets, ballistic missiles, and space-bound rockets.
Characteristics of Aerospace Fasteners
- Operate in extreme pressure and temperature conditions
- Exhibit high shear, fatigue, and tensile strength
- Offer self-sealing and self-locking capabilities
- Demonstrate high resistance to corrosion and oxidation
- Designed to be lightweight for aerodynamic efficiency
Aviation Quality Standards
The aerospace industry adheres to quality management standards such as AS9100 and AS9120, ensuring the design and manufacturing of aerospace goods meet the highest quality and safety standards.
Commonly Used Fasteners in the Aerospace Industry
- Aircraft Bolts: Made from corrosion-resistant steel or aluminum alloys, including MS bolts, close tolerance bolts, NAS internal wrenching, and AN bolts.
- Aircraft Nuts: Threaded fasteners made of cadmium plated carbon steel, stainless steel, or anodized aluminum alloy, available in non-locking and self-locking types.
- Aircraft Screws: Common thread fastening methods with a helical ridge, often composed of lower-strength materials than bolts.
- Aircraft Rivets: Used to join metal sheets, plates, or pieces of material with a smooth cylindrical shaft and a head on one end.
- Aerospace Collars (Lock Bolt Rivet): Compatible with lock bolt rivets for attaching the rivet or bolt to the object.
Special Fasteners Used on Aircraft
- Taper-Lok: Known for their tapered design, providing exceptional strength without deforming the shank.
- Hi-Tigue: Features a bead on the shank's bottom that increases joint strength by preloading the hole, enhancing the surrounding area's integrity.
- Turnlock Fasteners: Used for securing inspection plates, doors, and removable panels, offering quick opening and action.
- Dzus Fasteners: A turn-lock fastener composed of a stud, grommet, spring, and receptacle, providing a secure connection with minimal corrosion.
Materials Used in Aerospace Fasteners
- Aluminum: Lightweight and affordable, often used in rivets, with Al7075 being a popular alloy for its high tensile strength.
- Steel: Strong but heavier than aluminum, stainless steel and alloy steel are used for screws and bolts, especially on aircraft surfaces and landing gear.
- Titanium: Offers strength comparable to steel but is lighter and has high resistance to heat and cold.
- Super Alloys: High-performance alloys like Hastelloy, Inconel 780, and A286 are used for their ability to withstand extreme conditions.
Aerospace Fastener Covers
Fasteners require covers for added protection against environmental and atmospheric conditions, with materials such as cadmium, zinc, silver, nickel, phosphate, and black oxide enhancing durability.
Unofactory: Your Partner for High-Quality Aerospace Fasteners
At Unofactory, we specialize in the CNC machining of aerospace parts, providing instant quotes and automated DfM analysis. With a decade of experience in manufacturing standard and custom fasteners, we leverage our expertise to deliver the best aerospace fasteners and aircraft hardware to our customers.
Conclusion
Aerospace fasteners are vital for the construction and maintenance of aircraft, ensuring the secure and reliable assembly of components. By understanding the different types, materials, and quality standards, professionals in the aviation industry can make informed decisions for their projects. Unofactory is committed to providing high-quality aerospace fasteners that meet the rigorous demands of the industry.