The Worlds Best Locking Fastener

Since 1985
S8 Tech Ref
Agenda: Importance of Proper Torque
Causes of Fastener Failures
Terminology
Class of Fit & Coarse vs. Fine
Types of Locking Fasteners
Elongation / Strain Charts
Types & Tolerances of Tightening Methods
Joint Diagrams
Torque Distribution
Fastener Tightening Methods & Accuracy


Fastener Failures
Main Causes of Fastener Failure:
Tensile Overload
Torsion / Impact Shear
Fastener Fatigue (85%)
Hydrogen Embrittlement
Corrosion (Chemical or Galvanic)
Insufficient Preload
Substandard Fasteners
Fastener Terminology
Clamping Force: The compressive force which a fastener exerts on
the joint. (aka Clamp Load)
Breakloose Torque: The torque required to effect reverse rotation
when a pre-stressed threaded assembly is loosened.
Breakaway Torque: The torque that is necessary to start relative
rotation between a locking fastener and its mating thread with no
axial load on the screw.
Proof Load (Bolt/Screw): The specified load the product must
withstand without permanent set.
Proof Load (Nut): The axially applied load the nut must withstand
without thread stripping or rupture.
Tensile Strength: The maximum tension applied load that a fastener
can support prior to, or coincidental with, its fracture.
Naturally there are many more terms, but these definitions are
particularly relevant to the Stage 8 locking fastener systems
Thread Cross Section
UNC (Unified National Coarse) UNF (Unified National Fine)
Basic Pitch Diameter
The Basic Pitch Diameter is halfway between the projected points of the thread crest and root.
This value determines the tensile stress area of the fastener as well as the thread fit tolerance.
Class of Fit
Coatings can enlarge the pitch diameter by four times the coating thickness. Reduced distance
between internal and external threads can increase the thread friction torque.
Coarse vs. Fine Threads
Easier, Faster Assembly
Less Chance Of Cross
Threading
Miner Thread Damage Less
Likely To Affect Assembly
Less Prone To Stripping In
Lower Strength Materials
Thicker Platings Possible, Less
Likely To Seize In Corrosion
Applications
Less Concentration Of Stress
At Thread Root Radius, Better
Fatigue Resistance
Higher Strengths In Tension
Due To Larger Tensile Stress
Area
Shorter Thread Depth Allows
Threading In Thin Wall
Applications
Fine Threads Allow More
Precise Adjustment Because
Of Smaller Helix Angle
Greater Strength In Limited
Length Of Engagement
Applications
Fine Threads Easier To Tap In
Harder Materials
COARSE THREADS FINE THREADS
Fastener Locking Types
LOCKNUTS
Prevailing Torque (Metal / Insert)
Serrated Flange
Hex Nut w/ Lock Washer
Jam Nuts
CHEMICAL ADHESIVES
Pre-Applied Micro Encapsulation
Anaerobic Sealants **
THREAD LOCKERS
Anaerobic Sealants **
O-Rings (Incl. Embedded) **
Nylon Sealing Rings **
LOCK WASHERS
Cam Faces & Radial Teeth
Vibration, shock, temperature variations, chemical surroundings and other factors which occur
during the life of a joint, cause loss of clamping load, which in turn, causes the fastener to
loosen and eventually results in the fastened joint failure, owing to fatigue. Fastener Black Book
OTHER LOCKING TYPES
Castle Nuts, Split Lock Washers, Split/Cotter Pins, Tooth & Serrated, Conical
Lock Washers, Tab Washers, Wires & Wire Tie, STAGE 8 LOCKING SYSTEMS
3 Types: Free Spinning, Friction Locking, Chemical Locking
** Thread Sealers
Load-Elongation Behavior
Load-Elongation Behavior of Bolts - Hookes Law and the Modulus of Elasticity
Fastener Strain Curve
The Objective Is To
Maintain The Fastener
Tensile Load In A
Region Of
Effective Operation.
The Stage 8 locking systems are the best option for maintaining desired clamping force to
keep the fastener in the design region of effective elastic tensile operation.
Difficulties In Bolted Connections
Internal Thread Axis
Not Perpendicular
To Face Of Nut
Surface Not Flat And
Perpendicular To Bolt Axis
Misaligned Holes
Head Bearing Surface
Not Perpendicular
To Bolt Axis
Load Not Distributed
Over All Threads
Hole Not
Perpendicular
To Surface
Manner Of Applying
External Load
May Result In
Bending The Bolt
Because of these factors, it is rare that a load on a bolt is purely tensile.
Joint Diagram
A joint diagram is a means of displaying the load deflection characteristics of the bolt and the
material that it clamps. Joint diagrams can be used to assist in visualizing how a bolted joint
sustains an external force and why the bolt does not sustain the whole of this force.
Design Preload
In order to determine the appropriate preload, the relationship with the joint
AND the service load environment must be considered.
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Joint Diagram Applied Force
When an external tensile force is applied to the joint it has the effect of reducing some of the
clamp force caused by the bolt's preload and applying an additional force to the bolt itself.
Joint Diagram Hard Joint
Importance of relative stiffness: in a hard joint, the bolt will only sustain a small
proportion of the applied force due to the steep stiffness slope of the joint.
Joint Diagram Soft Joint
In a 'soft' joint, because the stiffness slope of the bolt is greater than that of the joint,
the bolt would sustain the majority of the same applied force.
Joint Influence on Fastener Design
Hard Joint
Soft Joint
For the same applied torque, the fastener preload can be different depending on the joint
stiffness. In many cases, the shank of the fastener must be sized to match joint conditions.
Joint Diagram Decompression Point
Decompression Point: zero pressure on the joint interface as a result of forces applied
to the joint. Increased loading can lead to fretting at the interface, further reducing
bolt tension in a dynamic environment.
INSUFFICIENT TORQUE
Joint Diagram Gap Formation
If the applied force is increased beyond the decompression point, a gap will form
at the interface. This usually leads to bolt failure in fatigue.
INSUFFICIENT TORQUE
Joint Diagram Yield Point of Bolt
When the external force acting on the bolt combined with the bolt's preload results in the yield
of the bolt material being exceeded, imminent bolt failure is likely. Even if failure does not
immediately occur when the external force is removed, the preload will be reduced.
EXCESSIVE TORQUE
Yield Point Exceeded
Replace
Fastener
Whether the yield strength of the fastener was exceeded in a static or dynamic environment,
joint integrity has been compromised , affecting equipment reliability and availability.
Joint Diagram Dynamic Loading
In a dynamic load environment, the variable applied forces to the joint results in
fastener stress oscillation that requires fatigue limit design criteria.
Torque Distribution
This Value Can Increase With
Flanged Bolt Heads / Nuts &
Friction Locks
This Value Decreases With Application
Of Lubricants, And Increases With
Use Of Chemical Thread Locks And
Prevailing Torque Locking Systems
Because the majority of the torque is used to overcome friction (usually between
85% and 95% of the applied torque), slight variations in the frictional conditions
can lead to large changes in the bolt preload.
Only This Portion Of
Applied Torque
Results In Fastener Preload
Fastener Tightening Methods
Achieving the design preload must take the accuracy of the tightening method into account.
Method Accuracy Relative Costs
Feel (Operator Judgment) 35% 1
Torque Wrench 25% 1
Turn-Of-Nut 20% 5
Pre-Load Indicating Washers (Pre-Lubricated) 10% 7
Hydraulic Tensioners 10% 15
Tension-Controlled Bolts 8% 15
Bolt Elongation 4% 15
Strain Gages / Ultrasonic Measurements 1% 20
Source: Fastener Black Book 1
st
Ed.
Torque = Correction Factor * Preload Force * Nominal Fastener Diameter
T = KFd
Torque Wrench (25%)
120,000 PSI
66,300 PSI
76,500 PSI (-25%)
127,500 PSI (+25%)
102,300 PSI
With torque wrench tolerances, An applied torque attempting to achieve an 85% preload
can result in a tensile force that exceeds yield, or is close to minimum tension.
Proper Torque - Recommendations
For Critical Fastener Applications:
Design Preload Around Joint Stiffness
And Type Of Load Environment
Minimize Thread And Nutface Friction
Select Appropriate Tightening Method
Utilize Free Spinning Locking Systems