Fasteners: What They Are and Who Uses Them
In short: A fastener is any device that mechanically joins two or more parts. Bolts, screws, rivets, lockbolts, washers and anchors hold together almost everything around us, from buildings and vehicles to appliances.
See: Light Engineering, HardwareTalk to our technical team
Look around almost anywhere and you will find fasteners: in buildings, vehicles, machines, furniture and appliances. They are small parts that hold everything together.
What is a fastener?
A fastener is a device that mechanically joins two or more parts. Some fasteners are removable, such as bolts and screws, so parts can be taken apart for maintenance. Others are permanent, such as rivets and lockbolts, for joints that must never come loose.
The main types
- Bolts and nuts: removable joints for structures and machinery. See our hardware range.
- Screws: for wood, sheet metal and roofing, including self-drilling and self-tapping types.
- Rivets: permanent joints in sheet metal and assemblies. See Rivets Explained.
- Lockbolts: permanent, vibration-proof joints for heavy engineering. See Lockbolt Fasteners.
- Washers: to spread load and help prevent loosening.
- Anchors: to fix into concrete and masonry, such as fischer fixing systems.
Who uses fasteners?
- Construction: structural steel, roofing, cladding and building services.
- Mining and heavy industry: equipment, conveyors, screens and plant. See Fasteners for the Mining Industry.
- Transport: trucks, buses, trailers and rail rolling stock.
- Manufacturing: appliances, electronics, furniture and machinery.
- Agriculture: equipment, implements and structures.
Why the choice matters
The right fastener depends on the materials, the load, the environment and whether the joint needs to come apart. Choosing well prevents failures, rework and downtime. Avlock’s technical team can help you choose the right fastening system for your application.