Q. 1. (a) How do you distinguish between a Fastener and a Threaded component?

(b) Briefly explain the mechanism for the maintenance and repairs of Fastener or
Hardware Fastener.

A. (a) A fastener or fastening is a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes

two or more objects together. In general, fasteners are used to create non-
permanent joints; it means joints that can be removed or dismantled without
damaging the joining components.

On the other hand, a threaded component contain its own thread and, therefore if
we consider a screw which is used in components having own thread, and the
screw may even cut its own internal thread into them. Many threaded fasteners
can be described as either screws or bolts, depending on how they are used.

(b) The selection of appropriate fastener material includes maintenance and the
provision for repairs based on the following aspects:

 Plating or Coatings

 Lubricants

 Corrosion

 Locking Methods

 Washers

 Inserts

Thread types and its classes depending on the pitches

 Fatigue Loading

 Fastener torque

Threaded components in any mechanical equipment can be narrowed down to the

selection of bolts, nuts and rivets. It is a difficult task for selection of using any of
the components as it requires careful consideration of temperature, corrosion,
vibration, fatigue, initial pre-load and many other factors.

Bolts can be made from many materials like: carbon steel, alloy steel or stainless
steel. Stainless steel again include both iron and nickel based chromium alloys.
Components like bolts, nuts, screws can be made of alloy steel, but it is not
corrosion resistance and must therefore have some type of coating to protect it
from corrosion.

Plantings and Coatings are the processes & these are basically electrolytic and
generate hydrogen. Most plating processes require baking after plating at
temperature below the decomposition temperature of the plating material to
prevent hydrogen embrittlement.

Plantings can be done by way of (i) Cadmium Plating (ii) Zinc Plating (iii) Nickel
Plating (iv) Chromium Plating or by (v) Silver Plating depending on which material
the plantings or coatings are to be done & the end uses of the components or the
equipments.

In case of Coatings, the most popular type of Coating is Phosphate Coatings. Steel
or iron is phosphate coated by treating the material surface with a diluted solution
of phosphoric acid, usually by submerging the part in a proprietary bath. The
chemical reaction forms a mildly protective layer of crystalline phosphate.

Thread lubricants are also an aid to maintenance and repairs. Although there are
many thread lubricants available , but only common lubricants like oil, grease or
wax, graphite etc. are extensively used for maintenance and repairs of fasteners.

Besides the same, and under various types of corrosion , the extensive usages of
Galvanic Corrosion persists with the set up when two dissimilar metals are in the
presence of an electrolyte , such as moisture.

Nevertheless the locking technique is also normally adopted on the fastener in a

tapped hole for the said purposes.