Military Fastener Applications for Aerospace
The aerospace industry depends on military fasteners to manufacture and assemble aircraft and spacecraft. Fasteners for military aerospace applications must be dependable and durable to maintain safety and performance during critical flights and operations. They must also comply with strict military standards and be able to function reliably in demanding operating conditions.
Military fasteners include nuts, bolts, screws, rivets, and pins engineered from various materials that can withstand the harsh environments common in aerospace fastening applications. These materials include:
- Stainless Steel
- Hastelloy®
- Monel®
- Inconel®
- Brass
- Steel
- Titanium
- Copper
- Aluminum
- Carbon Steel
Applications of Aerospace Fasteners
The aerospace industry relies on a wide range of fasteners to secure the aircraft’s body, wings, and panel structures. When designing an aircraft, it’s important that engineers consider the type of joint the fastener will be applied to as well as the type of load that will be transferred through the joint. Various high-performance applications rely on aerospace hardware, including aircraft, space shuttles, space equipment, drones, and military vehicles.
Bolts
Bolts are crucial for aerospace applications requiring high levels of strength. An aircraft bolt’s head will always include a marking, which varies depending on the manufacturer. Bolts without markings typically indicate that they are commercial-grade bolts. These don’t meet industry standards for use in aerospace applications. Different military and aerospace bolts include AN bolts, NAS bolts, NASM bolts, MS bolts, and NA bolts.
Nuts
Nuts manufactured for aerospace applications are subject to rigorous testing to ensure they can withstand the extreme conditions typical in aerospace applications. Military and aerospace nuts are constructed from materials that are specially formulated to perform well in dynamic environments and withstand extreme heat. Aircraft nuts come in various styles to deliver performance in a range of aerospace applications, such as military aircraft and other high-performance systems.
Screws
Screws are the most common aerospace fastener in aircraft construction. Mil-spec aircraft screws are available in various types, each of which adhere to strict military guidelines for use in aircraft and other high-performance applications. The aerospace industry relies on screws to attach and remove aircraft parts and seal drain holes in structures.
Rivets
Rivets are essential to aircraft construction, often requiring hundreds of thousands to fasten the airframe. Aircraft rivets are visible on the outer body of the aircraft, but they are also commonly used to secure fittings to various aircraft parts and join the spar and rib sections.
Military Fasteners From Elite Fasteners
There are a broad range of military fasteners that meet strict standards for optimal performance in demanding aerospace applications. These include bolts, nuts, screws, and rivets made from durable, high-strength, and corrosion-resistant materials.
At Elite Fasteners, Inc., we have over 35 years of experience serving various industries with high-quality military fasteners. Our fasteners comply with AN, MS, NAS, and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) standards. Our Westminster, MD facility carries a broad range of ready-to-ship fasteners, fulfilling most orders within 24 hours. Our team can deliver fasteners that meet your expectations with a broad understanding of industries, applications, materials, and properties to provide a seamless solution.
Contact us to speak with our military fastener experts or request information about our products today.