Fasteners are crucial in the aerospace industry. Considering the harsh elements that aircraft and spacecraft are exposed to, reliable fasteners are extremely important in the manufacturing and assembly processes. Fasteners keep structural components affixed to one another at all times. Nickel Systems has an extensive catalog of fastening solutions for aerospace applications. Explore our range of options designed to cater to your specific needs.
Aside from connecting parts together, aerospace fasteners also play a role in transferring load within the vehicles, as well as ensuring the performance of pressure and non-pressure systems. Using high-quality fasteners for aerospace machinery promotes equipment reliability and operators’ safety.
The aerospace industry uses a wide variety of fasteners for different applications. Some of the most commonly used are screws, bolts, washers, pins, nuts and socket products.
Among Nickel Systems’ products, Titanium Grade 5, Inconel® 718, 17-4 PH , Hastelloy® X and A286 are the top picks for the aerospace industry.
Titanium is the second most utilized exotic alloy in the Aerospace industry. It is used primarily due to its high strength-to-weight ratio, exceptional corrosion resistance, and excellent performance at high temperatures. Titanium Grade 5 is the most commonly used alloy due to its chemical composition which include aluminum. This strengthens it significantly making it useful in structural components. Titanium Grade 5 fasteners are used in jet engine components, landing gear, and hydraulic tubing.
Nickel-based super alloys are used in aerospace and especially in jet engine components due to their exceptional high-temperature strength and resistance to oxidation and creep. The three most common superalloys that Nickel Systems stocks are Inconel® 718, Waspaloy®, and Hastelloy® X where performance near or above 1000℃ is needed. Turbine blades, exhaust nozzles, and jet engines utilize these superalloy fasteners.
In certain instances, weight can be exchanged for toughness and fatigue resistance. 17-4 PH is a very common material substitute with excellent mechanical properties. Landing gear structures, engine mounts, actuators and bearings use these strong and tough fasteners.
Stainless steel is one of the most popular options for aerospace fasteners. It presents several benefits for manufacturers, including:
Depending on their purpose, there are several factors to consider when choosing the best fasteners for aerospace projects. These include:
