The aerospace industry has kept pace with advances in technology, resulting in the production of newer and more durable aerospace fasteners. This hardware has helped to effectively hold the parts of commercial aircraft, military aircraft, jets, ballistic missiles and space rockets together.

Due to the extreme pressure and temperature conditions under which aerospace fasteners operate when leaving the Earth’s atmosphere, the design and construction must be highly durable and of the highest quality to withstand these harsh conditions. Meanwhile, the production of these aerospace or commercial aircraft fasteners relies on the rapidly advancing technological developments within the aerospace industry.

In addition to the above information, this article will give you a thorough understanding of these aerospace fasteners, including their characteristics, materials, types and other related aspects. So read on as we provide you with this great information.

What are Aerospace Fasteners?

Aerospace or aircraft fasteners, a type of aerospace CNC machining, are used specifically in the manufacture of aircraft structures. The aircraft detail parts are assembled in many production locations rather than being manufactured in a single plant. In addition, these fasteners are required to join these parts together into a complete aircraft during final aircraft assembly.

The aerospace industry has stringent safety and weight requirements. As a result, the fasteners used to build aircraft are high quality and extremely durable.

Fasteners can also hold together aircraft structures such as the fuselage, wings, tail, nose, pylon, nacelle, flight control surfaces and many more. They also add appeal and durability to commercial and military aircraft designs.

In addition, aircraft fasteners provide rigidity to the aerostructure, making them an essential part of the aircraft. These fasteners are of various types, including nuts and bolts, screws, rivets and many more.

Characteristics of Aerospace Fasteners

Aerospace or aviation fasteners must be highly robust to survive tremendous gravity pressures. They are critical pieces of hardware that influence the aircraft’s overall safety and efficiency. Moreover, to efficiently keep manufacturing and use in check, these fasteners must pass stringent standard certification.

These fasteners have applications in any equipment that demands high-precision and high-quality attachment. The following are some of the most common properties of these fasteners:

• Operates in harsh situations
• High shear, fatigue, and tensile strength
• Self-sealing and self-locking capabilities
• High corrosion and oxidation resistance  
• Lightweight design

Commonly Used Fasteners in the Aerospace Industry

• Aircraft bolts: These are made from uncoated stainless steel, galvanised stainless steel, cadmium or anodised aluminium alloys. Other commonly used aircraft bolts are MS bolts, close tolerance bolts, NAS internal wrenches and AN bolts.
• Aircraft nuts: These are threaded fasteners made from cadmium plated carbon steel, stainless steel or 2024T anodised aluminium alloy. They are always used in conjunction with a mating bolt or screw. There are two types of aircraft nuts: non-locking and self-locking.
• Aircraft bolts: These fasteners are the most common type of threaded fastener with a helical crest called an external thread. They are often made from lower strength materials than bolts and are inserted with a loose thread.
• Aircraft rivets: These fasteners have a smooth cylindrical shank with a head at one end and are used to join two or more sheets, plates or pieces of material. The shank of the rivet is inserted into mating holes in two pieces of material, and the tip is compressed to form a second head that securely clamps the two parts together.
• Aerospace Collars (Lock Bolt Rivet): These fasteners work seamlessly with Lock Bolt Rivets (sold separately). They help to secure the rivet or bolt to the item and have compatible metal alloy bodies.

What Are Aerospace Fasteners Made Of?

• Aluminum
• Steel
• Titanium
• Super Alloys

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