Fasteners, Materials & Finishes

Property classes, thread systems, corrosion resistance, plating and surface treatment.

Nut Types: Hex, Nylon Insert, Flange and Lock

A nut must be at least as strong as its bolt: class 8 with 8.8, class 10 with 10.9. Nut types, prevailing torque nuts, jam nuts and material choices.

October 21, 2026

Washers Explained: Flat, Lock and Spring Types

A washer spreads a bolt's clamp load, protects the surface and can help keep a joint tight. The main flat, lock and spring types and how to choose.

October 8, 2026

What Is a Retaining Ring? Circlip Types and Uses

A retaining ring, or circlip, is a springy ring that sits in a groove to hold parts on a shaft or in a bore. How the main types work and what to check.

October 8, 2026

Dowel, Roll and Clevis Pins: The Difference

Dowel pins locate, roll pins hold with spring tension, and clevis pins form pivots. How the three differ and how to pick the right one.

October 8, 2026

Bolt Property Classes and Grades: Reading the Head Marking

Decode metric property classes, imperial SAE grades, and ASTM markings to understand fastener strength, and learn why mixing bolt and nut grades causes joint.

August 11, 2026

304 vs 316 Stainless: Grades, Corrosion and Where Each Belongs

A practical guide to selecting 300-series stainless steel fasteners, covering the role of molybdenum in 316, low-carbon weldability, galling prevention.

August 11, 2026

Thread Designations: Metric, UNC/UNF and Pipe Threads

A practical reference for reading thread callouts, distinguishing metric, unified, and pipe threads, and identifying unknown threads in the field.

August 11, 2026

Types of Surface Treatment and Plating

A reference guide to industrial fastener surface treatments, covering electroplating, galvanizing, passivation, anodizing, and dry-film coatings, including.

August 11, 2026

Galvanic Corrosion: The Dissimilar Metals Reference

A practical reference on galvanic corrosion mechanisms, the galvanic series for industrial metals, the critical area ratio effect, and isolation.

August 11, 2026

Thread Lockers, Retaining Compounds and Anti-Seize

A technical guide to selecting and applying threadlockers, retaining compounds, and anti‑seize, with safety notes and mechanical alternatives for reliable.

August 11, 2026

Engineering Plastics: A Selection Reference

A practical guide comparing UHMW‑PE, POM, PA, PTFE, PEEK, PC and acrylic for wear pads, guards, guides and other machine components.

August 11, 2026

T-Slot Aluminium Framing: Profiles, Fasteners and Joints

A technical guide to T-slot aluminium framing series, slot geometry, joining methods, panel retention, tolerances and surface finishes for reliable machine.

August 11, 2026