A fastener is a hardware device used to mechanically join or affix two or more objects together, generally creating non-permanent joints that can be dismantled without damaging the components. They are crucial for structural integrity in industries like construction, automotive, and manufacturing, with common types including bolts, screws, nuts, and rivets
Common stainless steel fastener types include bolts, screws, nuts, studs, wingnuts, flat washers, and lock washers. Stainless steel's self-healing corrosion resistance provides an affordable and lower-maintenance alternative to treated or plated fasteners made from other materials.
Self-tapping screws, machine screws, nuts, and washers are also popular types of hardware fasteners for joining metal sheet components. However, for high-strength applications, rivets remain an ideal choice due to their superior strength over single-use fasteners such as self-tapping screws or bolts.
Galvanized fasteners are steel fixings, such as bolts, nuts, and screws, coated with a protective layer of zinc to provide superior corrosion resistance for outdoor or harsh, moisture-prone environments.
Mild steel (low-carbon) fasteners are cost-effective, versatile, and ductile components with a carbon content up to 0.2%, suitable for light-to-medium duty applications in construction and machinery. They are highly machinable and weldable but require coatings like zinc plating or galvanization to prevent rust.