There are a number of different types of fasteners used in the automotive industry, and we’ll go over some of the most common in this article. These fasteners are made of different materials, including iron, stainless steel, nickel, brass, and aluminum. This article will explain how these types of fasteners are used and how they can help your automotive project. Hopefully, this information will help you determine which type of fastener you need to use in your project.

• Threaded fasteners

Today, we have hundreds of different types of fasteners in our cars. Toyota estimates that there are 30,000 parts in a car and that these parts need hundreds of different types of fasteners. 

A screw is a cylinder-shaped piece of metal with a threaded surface around its side and a head on the other end. These fasteners can be installed with a screwdriver with a Phillips or flat head. But be careful with them, as they can be prone to rust and galling. Always check the strength and torque of threaded fasteners before you install them on your car.

• Stainless steel

Metals used in fastening are primarily aluminum alloy and iron. Springs and other heavy items are traditionally fastened with metals. Fasteners are primarily used to hold heavy objects in places, such as engine components and suspension components. They are made of different alloys, and most bolts are zinc-coated for rust protection. The automotive industry relies on these fasteners to hold large, heavy objects securely.

Stainless steel is the best material for fasteners because of its resistance to corrosion and rust. Different grades of stainless steel are available, and the most common is 18-8 stainless steel. Grade 316 stainless steel is the best material for fasteners, and it has a very high corrosion resistance rating. Stainless steel can also be made from aluminum, but this material is commonly alloyed with another metal to improve its strength and melting point.

• UNF

UNF is the most common type of fastening in the automotive industry, with the largest area for tensile stress. UNF threads can withstand more stress than other coarse threads and are also commonly used for a limited engagement and small wall thickness. Both UNF and UNK are widely used in the automotive industry. However, there are some differences between them. Learn more about UNF and UNK fastening types to get a better idea of which one will work best for your needs.

Fasteners in the automotive field are generally sized by diameter and thread count. Fine-thread UNF bolts are stronger than coarse-threaded nuts and bolts and have more threads per inch. A common 3/8-inch hex bolt has 16 threads per inch on its coarse version, while fine-threaded UNF bolts have 24 threads per inch. Fine-threaded fasteners are better for applications where vibration is a factor.

• Nyloc nuts

Most people in the automotive industry are familiar with Nyloc nuts. These fasteners are used to keep bolts and screws in place during installation and disassembly. They have a self-contained feature, preventing disassembly and requiring wrenching to remove. However, there are other types of fasteners that have different characteristics. For example, prevailing torque locking fasteners are self-contained but are not permanently locked in place. These nuts can be loosened or adjusted after installation but are not permanently locked in place. However, they resist loosening without being seated. Besides, they are used as spacers and stop nuts.

While both metal and nylon are widely used in the automotive industry, lock nuts are more resistant to vibrations and torque. They are installed by twisting them onto the end of the bolt from the backside of the object to lock it in place. They also contain a positive locking device that prevents the nut from coming loose. These nuts are used in automotive applications, but the installation process is similar to that for ordinary nuts.