Types of Fasteners and How to Choose Them

Fasteners play very important roles in making several objects. Suppose you do regular DIY projects. In that case, there’s every possibility that you used fasteners to get your job done. They help hold parts in place while preventing excess vibration and pressure. There are many different types of fasteners. The different types also come with a reasonably high level of variability.

In this article, we’ll discuss the different types of fasteners as well as their subtypes. We’ll also give you the important tips to help you select the right fastener for your work. Before we dive into the details, let’s start by defining fasteners.

What Is a Fastener?

The term ‘fastener’ is an encompassing term that describes a broad range of tools. These tools include screws, bolts, nuts, etc., and they share a common aim. The aim is to enable the mechanical adherence of objects. In simple terms, fasteners help to hold objects in place or together mechanically.

You may argue that glue can perform this function effectively. If the glue is not an example of fasteners, then what is a fastener? This will prompt us to expand on the initial definition. Hardware fasteners are those that help to hold objects together mechanically.

There is a broad classification of fasteners. It classifies them into Permanent and Non-Permanent fasteners. Generally, fasteners are considered to form non-permanent joints. That is, you should be able to separate two components connected with a fastener. While the pieces come apart, they must not suffer any form of damage. An exception to this rule is the rivet, which is a permanent fastener.

The fact that most fasteners form non-permanent joints does not mean that the joint is weak. Using the fasteners with properly formed threads will give you a reliable hold on your objects. That way, you can be sure that your object can be subject to a high level of stress. They are highly versatile, making them useful for various types of joints.

The Most Common Types of Fasteners

Mechanical fasteners come in different types. Each of those types also has many subtypes that you can choose from. Among the different types of fasteners, here are the most common ones:

Bolts: These types of fasteners help to hold two unthreaded parts together. They can be called the most common types of fasteners.

Screws: Screws are versatile fasteners with durable holding power. They have a similar structure to bolts. However, they do not need anything to keep them in place, unlike bolts.

Nuts: A nut comes with an internal thread that works with a bolt to hold components together.

Washers: They are small, circular discs shaped like an annulus. They also work together with nuts and bolts and serve important fastening functions.

Rivets: These are permanent fasteners that help secure several different types of components.