Here at Fastenright, we want to make sure that your application is getting the best possible fastener for the application or project that you’re working on. This means ensuring you have the size that you require, and that any specific finish or material needs are met.
We’re able to provide fasteners in an extensive range of materials and finishes that will have different strengths and weaknesses. Whilst one material or finish might be suitable for a maritime application, another may be more successfully placed within a nuclear application.
Whilst we’ve got an extensive list of possibilities, there are other finishes and materials available upon request – and we can provide advice about suitable options.
Popular Options for Materials
There are a number of possibilities, and likely too many to list here – but we’ll list some of the more popular ones and how they may be used.
Aluminium holds a number of strong qualities that make it useful as a fastener in applications that require items to be lightweight – with an example being within the automotive industry where the weight of the vehicle needs to be monitored. It is also aesthetically pleasing with or without polishing, making it a perfect choice for when the appearance of the fixing is important.
There is also Nylon, which is a very popular plastic for use within fasteners. More suited to electronic work, it is popular due to the high tensile strength and wear-resistance it hosts. It is popular within electronic applications where fires are more likely to start, as it melts rather than burning, and the plastic can also have flame retardants added to it.
And of course, we can provide a number of steel products, including Mild Steel, High Tensile Steel from Grade 8.8 to 12.9, A2 Stainless and A4 Stainless, and then the extremely popular Duplex Stainless Steel.
Lesser Known Materials
Whilst there’s those that are mentioned above, there are still other popular options like Titanium, Brass, and Silicon Bronze.
It’s likely that you’ve heard of most of the materials above – but we can provide some lesser known options too!
Zirconium is a silver-grey metal that is incredibly resistant to corrosion and is often found in piping and heat exchangers. Fasteners made from this material are known for resistance to some of the harshest environments, including a number of acids.
Then there are the likes of Inconel, Incoloy, Hastelloy and Monel. There are a dozen or more types of Inconel, which is an oxide resistant alloy often used alongside chemicals due to the material does not easily succumb to caustic corrosion. Incoloy belongs to the same family of superalloys of Inconel, but it contains 50% less nickel and contains an addition of iron – and holds excellent resistance to seawater, brine and high chloride environments. Hastelloy fasteners come in a number of different grades, each of which is optimised for a specific purpose and is great for applications like welding.
Other lesser-known materials and finishes include Waspaloy, Tantalum, Tungsten and Molybdenum.
Finishes and Their Benefits
A number of finishes are used to prevent corrosion in fasteners, such as Green Chromate, Geomet, Chrome Plating, Galvanising, Sherardising and Zinc and Yellow – as well as a Stayblack Finish.
Other than that, there is Chemical Blacking, which is a black oxide coating used on non-stainless steel parts, or Black Jappanned fasteners which is a durable, protective finish. There’s also Nickel Plating, which is often used for wear resistance or to is used to build up a heavily worn or undersized part.
There are some more decorative finishes, for when applications require a fastener to be aesthetically pleasing. These include Electro brass plating, which is used to finish polished iron or as an intermediate layer for subsequent nickel plating.
Get in Touch for More on Materials and Finishes
If you already know what you’re looking for, then please give us a call at your earliest convenience to inquire further – but if you require more information, please do not hesitate to contact us asking for advice about suitable materials or finishes.
