In this article, we will discuss the difference between nuts and bolts. The nuts and bolts are the types of fasteners that are used in every manufacturing industry to join two parts together. Here we will try to learn all the possible differences between nuts and bolts.
Difference between nuts and boltsWhat is Nut?
It is a type of fastener that has a threaded hole. It is used with the conjugation of a bolt. The two partners (i.e. nut and bolt) are held together by the combination of their thread frictions, slight stretching of the bolt and compression of the part to be joined together.
The nuts come with a different locking mechanism which prevents the loosening due to the vibration of the machine parts or the parts which they joined.
They are mostly having a circular cross-section.
The nuts have internal threads so that it can be easily tightened on the bolt.
The size of the nut is small as compared with the bolt.
The nuts experience compressive forces. It is the compressive stress that leads to its failure.
The various types of nuts are: Hex nut, Nylon insert lock nut, Jam nut, Nylon insert jam lock nut, Square nut, Cap nut, Acorn nut, T- nut, Kep nut, Castle nut, Wing nut, Flange nut, Slotted nut, Coupling nut, etc.
What is Bolt?
A Bolt is a threaded cylindrical rod which is used with a nut. It is used to join two pieces together with a nut. It is a type of fastener.
A bolt is externally threaded. It may be fully threaded or partially threaded.
The bolts are cylindrical in shape. They are the solid cylinders with a head. The solid cylindrical part is called the shank.
The size of the bolt is large as compared with the nut.
The bolts experiences tensile forces. It is the tensile stress that leads to its failure.
The various types of bolts are Anchor bolt, Carriage bolt, Elevator bolt, Flange bolt, Hanger bolt, Hexagon bolt/Tap bolt, Lag bolt, Machine bolt, Plow bolt, Sex bolt, Shoulder bolt, Square head bolt, Stud bolt, Timber bolt, T-head bolt, Toggle bolt, U-bolt, J-bolt, Eye bolts, etc.
Aluminum Sheet Products Versus Aluminum Plate
Today, aluminum materials make up 75 to 80 percent of a modern aircraft and aluminum has been used in that capacity since the birth of powered flight.
In fact, even before the Wright Brothers first successful flight in 1903, Count Ferdinand Zeppelin used aluminum to make the frames of his airship that flew for the first time in 1900. And a few years later, the famed brothers from Dayton built a lightweight aircraft engine using a cylinder block and other parts made with aluminum.
The reason for this is that aircraft requires building material that is inherently strong and lightweight.
And aluminum has fit the bill beautifully since the dawn of manned flight.
Because aluminum aerospace parts are about one third the weight of steel, which allows aircraft to carry more weight and be more fuel efficient than they could be if built with heavier material. In addition, the high corrosion resistance of aluminum is essential for aircraft safety.
Aluminum parts are made from a variety of alloys grades of material and of different methods of production. These different alloys and grades are used for particular aerospace applications.
Here are a few of the more common grades and uses:
2024 is typically used for cowls, aircraft skins, and common aircraft structures, as well as for repair and restoration. It is also the most common alloy used.
7075 is a high-strength alloy and used to strengthen aircraft structures. It is also one of the most common aviation industry grades after 2024.
5052 is an aluminum grade often used for fuel tanks because of its excellent moisture and corrosion resistance.
3003 grade aluminum sheet is commonly used for cowls and baffle plating.
While aluminum can be formed as blocks, rods, and bars, two of the most common forms used in the aerospace industry are sheets and plates.
Aluminum sheets and plates start with ingots of raw aluminum which are preheated before processing. Once the ingots are properly heated, the aluminum is fed into a breakdown mill and then formed into a thick sheet.
From here, the sheet is rolled repeatedly until it is reduced to a thickness of just a few inches. After the rolling process, the rolled aluminum sheet is wound into a coil and cooled by passing them through several cold rolling mills. The cold rolling of the aluminum sheet is the final step of the process.
As aluminum moves between rolls under pressure, it is reduced in thickness to create plate or sheets. Aluminum plate metal is .250 inches and thicker, while aluminum sheet is typically defined as a piece of metal that is less than .249 inches thick.
