Choosing the Right Threaded Fastener: A Buyer's Guide

With so many options on the market, it can be hard to navigate the market and determine which threaded fastener to choose for your project.

When it comes to ensuring you get the perfect match, here are 5 factors we recommend considering to help build your checklist.

This is one of the most important choices for your fastener as different materials have varying strengths. It’s important to know which material will suit the loads and stresses of your application.

This will also correlate with the environment of your installation. For example, stainless steel is ideal for construction due to its strength-to-weight ratio and outstanding corrosion resistance. In contrast, brass is more commonly found in electrical installations due to its non-sparking properties.

Considerations such as whether a fine or coarse thread is required will depend on your requirements. Coarse threads are often adopted for their easier installation while fine threads can be better for stronger fastenings. 

As a standard, coarse threads are recommended for materials such as wood or plastic, and fine threads are preferred for metals.

The most common head types for threaded fasteners are:

• Flat

• Pan

• Round

• Hex

This only scratches the surface however as there are many types of heads which offer benefits for installation, load distribution and aesthetics. 

Similar to materials, head style can be dependent on the environment and purpose of the installation the fastener is in. In corrosive environments head types with as little recesses as possible are recommended to avoid damage. Tamper resistance is also important to consider as head types such as torx and button heads are hard to remove. 

If your threaded fasteners may be subject to chemicals, moisture or harsh environments during their lifetime, then coatings are especially important!

They provide the finishing touch for your component, adding protection against corrosion and helping to reduce friction. For a deeper look into the different types of coatings available, visit our recent news article. 

Lastly, it’s crucial to purchase fasteners which comply with the relevant standards such as British Standards, ISO or other regulations in your country of operation. 

This is not just to tick a box, it’s to ensure that the threaded fasteners you purchase have been produced to high safety standards to reduce the risk of accidents. By choosing compliant parts you can guarantee that your full installation will meet quality assurance requirements. 

If you have further requirements that you’re unsure of, our team of experts can help! We supply fasteners to OEMs and distributors in 33 countries, providing standard parts or bespoke tailor-made components. 

Simply send over your specifications and any drawings you may have, and we can discuss how we can bring your part to life. Get in touch today!