What are the aspects you should know while sourcing fasteners?

Posted by superscrews on November 28th, 2020

Well, we usually don’t give much attention to fasteners as afterthought components in sourcing. But do you know that fasteners can drive product complexity and inventory waste when not managed properly?

To be precise, the global market for industrial fasteners is huge and boasts of tremendous growth in the coming years. There is no denying the fact that fasteners are omnipresent in nearly every industrial application.

In simple words, they help with holding the pieces together in today’s context of industrialization. Thus, it is imperative to know a few traits of the best quality fasteners while sourcing them from suppliers. 

The material of the Fasteners

Selecting the appropriate material for fasteners is important to determine their strength and resistance to corrosion. To be precise, steel and stainless steel are commonly used in the manufacturing process of fasteners.

But with the introduction of LDPE and HDPE plastics, fasteners made of plastic are also available. Steel is the numero uno choice for the production of fasteners because of its tensile strength and durability.

On the other hand, bronze is widely used in fasteners that are to be used in marine settings. When the context is about corrosion resistance, bronze is often superior to steel. However, as it is a bit expensive, bronze fasteners are used where they are required the most. Aluminum fasteners are widely used in the aeronautical industry because of their lightweight nature. 

The coating used on the Fasteners

To be frank, the coating on fasteners is used primarily for two purposes. The main objective of adding coating is to make the fasteners resistant to corrosion. The secondary purpose of the coating is to make them aesthetically appealing.

Hot-dip galvanizing, along with zinc and chrome plating are some of the common types of coating used on fasteners. It is worth mentioning here that the galvanized bolts cannot be compatible with other screws because of their thickness.

On the contrary, chrome plating is usually used for corrosion resistance apart from decorative purposes. When compared to zinc, chrome polishing also provides a better look and appeal to the fasteners.     

Size of the Fasteners

There is no denying the fact that size is another important parameter in the sourcing of fasteners. Certain manufacturers usually produce fasteners in size ranges of M6 or larger. They also produce fasteners in the size range of M5 or smaller.

“M” denotes the major diameter of the fastener. So as evident, it is crucial to assess your requirements before placing a bulk order for fasteners. It would be best if you took proper measurements of the pitch and the thread sizing before communicating your preferences to the supplier. 

For customized and bulk orders, you can contact a fastener supplier in Delhi NCR. These fastener suppliers would provide you with tailor-made fasteners that can meet your industrial requirements.

From machine screws to sheet metal screws, you would have no dearth of options when you consult a trustworthy fastener supplier. By learning the intricacies of fasteners, the procurement team in your organization would reduce inventory complexities.