Fastener Material Selection

Fasteners come in a wide variety of specifications, but whether you are

planning to use a bolt, screw, rivet, peg, or clamp, selecting material
suitable for the intended application is an important concern. For example,
choosing a fastener made of steel rather than aluminum can greatly affect
the quality and duration of the joint it forms. Numerous factors, such as
environmental circumstances, presence of corrosive elements, physical
stress requirements, and overall structural stability, can similarly influence
material effectiveness.
The majority of industrial fasteners are produced from aluminum, brass,
certain synthetic non-metals, and various grades of steel and stainless steel.
In addition, metals such as titanium are also valuable for building
fasteners, although they have very specific applications in a narrow range of
fields. Generally, fastener materials are judged on their mechanical
properties, potential for post-fabrication treatments, cost-efficiency, and
several other secondary criteria.
Steel Fasteners
Steel is the most commonly used material in fastener
production, constituting nearly 90 percent of all fasteners
manufactured annually. This metals popularity stems from its
high degree of formability coupled with tensile strength and
durability. Compared to other metal stock, steel is also
relatively inexpensive to fabricate. It is frequently processed
with zinc or chrome plating, but can also be formed without
any surface treatments.
Carbon steel is the most common type of steel used in fastener production.
Grades 2, 5, and 8 are typically the standard for carbon-steel based screws
and bolts, with alloyed carbon steel being a higher-end variation on these
metals. Their mechanical strength ranges from approximately 50 ksi (kilopound per square inch) up to 300 ksi in a finished product. Material
properties for these grades include:
Grade 2: This is a low carbon category that features the least expensive,
but also least durable, types of steel. Grade 2 material is highly workable,
and forms the bulk of steel grade fasteners.
Grade 5: Grade 5 steels are produced from unalloyed medium carbon
groups, such as type 1038, and are usually work-hardened to improve their
strength. This is the most common grade used in automotive applications.

 Grade 8: These steels are typically medium carbon alloys, such as types
4037 and 4340. They are work-hardened to a high degree, making them
stronger and better-suited for mechanically straining applications, like
vehicle suspension systems.
Alloy Steel: This is an alloy formed with high-strength carbon steel that
can be thermally treated up to 300 ksi. Alloy steel has low corrosion
resistance and typically benefits from additional coating. These steels are
extremely strong, but can be rigid and brittle.
Stainless Steel Fasteners
Stainless steel is an alloy that combines the properties of
low carbon grades with certain percentages of chromium
and nickel. Its chromium component lends stainless steel a
high degree of corrosion resistance that does not decrease
from deformation or long-term use. However, the low
carbon content prevents it from being effectively hardened, making the
metal stronger than most grade 2 steels, but weaker than many hardened
grade 5 and 8 varieties. The final strength of most stainless steel grades
ranges from around 70 to 220 ksi, depending on the ratio of metals in the
alloy. Stainless steel fasteners are also less magnetic than their standard
steel counterparts. The two main categories of stainless steel fastener
materials are:
Martensitic Stainless Steel: The martensitic group includes strong,
durable stainless steels that can be further strengthened through heat
treatments. They are more magnetic than other types of steel, but have
lower corrosion resistance.
Austenitic Stainless Steel: The vast majority of stainless steel
fasteners are produced with metals from the austenitic family. Their high
levels of chromium and nickel provide tough corrosion resistance and the
ability to withstand considerable physical strain without fracturing, albeit
at a higher cost than the martensitic varieties.
Bronze and Brass Fasteners
The bronze used in fastener production is an alloy primarily consisting of
tin and copper. With its high corrosion resistance, bronze is well-suited for
aquatic applications, such as shipbuilding or underwater construction.
It shares coppers reddish color, but is relatively expensive compared to
other fastener materials. Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, is similar to
bronze in its anti-corrosive and electric conductivity properties, but it has

lower tensile strength and is a relatively soft metal. Part of brasss appeal as
a fabricating material lies in its yellowish golden color.
Nylon Fasteners
Nylon is a lightweight synthetic plastic material used for
specific fastener applications. It is corrosion resistant, has
high electrical and thermal insulating properties, and can be
easily dyed to meet aesthetic requirements, such as those
necessary for fastener replacement. However, nylon is subject to severe
deterioration under elevated temperatures and may become weakened in
low temperature conditions. In addition, its comparatively low tensile
strength makes it less effective for applications with demanding physical
stress requirements.