As technology advances and production methods become ever more efficient and dependable, so do the demands on fastener strength. The demands on fastener strength are becoming increasingly stringent, as consumers demand more from their fasteners. The increasing use of fasteners in an increasing variety of applications, combined with the continually increasing demands on fastener strength, has made stronger fasteners a necessity.

Supply, demand, and cost all play a part in selecting the best fasteners for a given job. The strength of a fastener isn’t the only factor to consider; other factors such as material cost, manufacturing cost, ease of installation, and longevity are just as important.

That being said, many consumers generally seek the strongest fasteners they can afford. In this article, we will discuss why you would want to select stronger fasteners over weaker fasteners.

What is fastener strength?

Fastener strength is the ability of a fastener to resist permanent deformation or failure when subjected to a specified load or tension.

Several factors affect fastener strength and, as a result, the strongest fasteners may not necessarily be the strongest fasteners for a given application.

Fastener material properties such as hardness, yield strength, Ultimate Tensile Strength, and tensile elongation are all related to fastener strength but are often not the only criteria considered when selecting the strongest fasteners for a given application.

Fastener installation, design, and application are also factors that affect fastener strength. These factors include:

• The type of fastener being used, e.g. stud, nail, or bolt
• The size of the fastener, e.g. 1/2 inch, 3/8 inch, or 1/4 inch
• The nature of the material being fastened, e.g. wood, metal, or concrete
• The installation method, e.g. through-dovetailed or blind-riveted
• The amount of applied load/tension, e.g. an extra-heavy weight on the end of a nail or a large amount of force applied to a stud through a roof deck

Why is fastener strength important?

The strength of a fastener is directly related to the load-bearing capacity of the structural components it attaches. An increase in the load-bearing capacity of structural components increases the structural integrity of the components.

The strength of a fastener is related to the fastener material properties and the installation methods used. These factors are often overlooked when selecting the strongest fasteners available.

The strength of a fastener is related to the load-bearing capacity of the structural components it attaches. An increase in the load-bearing capacity of structural components increases the structural integrity of the components.

The strength of structural components can be increased by increasing one or more of the following:

• The thickness of the structural components
• The shear strength of the fasteners used to attach the structural components
• The material of which the structural components are made

How to determine fastener strength?

There are several methods for determining fastener strength, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

One of the best ways to determine fastener strength is to create a load-bearing test specimen of the structural components to be strengthened.

The load-bearing test specimen should have the same dimensions as the components being tested. These components should be placed in their intended load-bearing locations.

After the components are in place, the load-bearing test specimen should be loaded with a specified amount of load. This load is known as the determined load and is usually expressed in pounds per foot (lb/ft) or Newtons per meter (N/m).

After the determined load has been applied, the load-bearing test specimen should be allowed to return to its original dimensions under its intended load environment. Once the load has been removed from the test specimen, the strength and the dimensions of the component should be recorded.

Factors that affect fastener strength

There are several factors that affect fastener strength and, as a result, the strongest fasteners may not necessarily be the strongest fasteners for a given application.

• All fastener strength factors are related to the design and material properties of the fastener.
• Other factors such as installation, type of material being fastened, and the amount of load are dependent on the application.
• The installation method, e.g. through-dovetailed or blind-riveted, and the fastener design are often overlooked when selecting the strongest fasteners for a given application.

It is important to realize that fastener strength is related to the design and material properties of the fastener. It is important to keep these factors in mind when selecting the strongest fasteners for a given application.

Conclusion

The strongest fasteners are the ones that are designed and manufactured to withstand the greatest amount of applied load. When selecting the strongest fasteners for a given application, it is important to keep in mind the factors that affect fastener strength.