Aerospace Fasteners Common Types Materials and Applications

Fasteners are a staple of design in the aerospace industry, playing a vital role in securing assemblies and holding various structural parts together. Coming in various types, fasteners are used for everything from the installation of fuselage panels on aircraft to the construction of high-performance engines. This blog will provide insight into some of the most notable types of aerospace fasteners, their design, materials, and applications, ensuring you have a basic understanding of their importance in the industry.

One of the most widely used types of aerospace fasteners is the rivet, which is a permanent installation that is known for offering high levels of reliability, strength, and stress distribution. Rivets come in a variety of forms, the most basic being the solid design that features a head on one end of a smooth, cylindrical shaft. By passing the shaft through a pre-drilled hole in assembly parts before having the tail deformed with a special tool, a second head is established to create a steadfast joint. Blind rivets are a notable variation that have a hollow shaft with an internal mandrel, where they provide installation capabilities from one side of an assembly to address situations where access to the other side is difficult or impossible.

Another well-known type of fastener used in the aerospace industry is the bolt. Unlike rivets, bolts are removable fasteners that are ideal for applications that may require disassembly while ensuring a joint that is highly reliable with ample strength and load bearing capabilities. As a result, these fasteners are commonly employed in structural assemblies, engine components, and landing gear systems. Bolts are regularly used in conjunction with nuts to hold items together, with washers optionally being added for load distribution, vibration resistance, and so on.

When specialized lock bolts are employed to prevent the loosening of fasteners, components known as collars are often used. They enhance the stability and security of a joint by maintaining a desirable level of torque that keeps the bolt properly tightened. Most often, collars will be present in engine components, landing gear, and other sections of aircraft and aerospace equipment where vibration is present.

When it comes to the choice of material for aerospace fasteners, there are a number of options that may be used. As compared to commercial-grade rivets, bolts, nuts, and washers, those selected for aerospace applications in particular are often engineered to withstand extreme conditions like high temperatures, pressure variations, and corrosion. Titanium alloy is a popular example for the construction of aerospace fasteners, as it provides a high strength-to-weight ratio and resistance to corrosion. This makes titanium alloy fasteners ideal for use in high-stress areas of an aircraft or equipment that are exposed to harsh environmental conditions. Stainless steel is another common option for high-quality fasteners, offering excellent durability and corrosion resistance. Stainless steel fasteners will typically be found in areas exposed to the elements, such as exterior panels and landing gear components.

One of the primary challenges in the aerospace industry, specifically for aircraft and other objects of flight, is reducing weight without compromising safety or performance. With various advancements made in developing composite materials, many assemblies are beginning to achieve noticeable benefits. Whether using composite materials or more conventional titanium options, every rivet, bolt, or fastener on an aerospace assembly will be carefully engineered, selected, and situated to contribute to efficiency and safety.

For those in need of high-quality fasteners for assembly or maintenance, we offer an extensive selection of competitively priced options right here on Aerospace Domain. Currently, over 2 billion new, used, obsolete, and hard-to-find items can be found across our curated catalogs, all of which are available for purchase at any time. In order to receive information on any particular listing, we ask that you fill out and submit a Request for Quote (RFQ) form through our website with details concerning your needs. Once we receive and review your request, a member of our staff will reach out to you in 15 minutes or less to present customized procurement options for your consideration. You can also give us a call or email at any time to speak directly with our staff, so feel welcome to get in touch if you ever have any questions or needs.