Bolt, Nut and Washers Terminology |
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Head |
The Head: The
top part of a bolt (not the threaded end) is called the head. There are
many different types of bolt heads, which can be turned using a spanner
or driver. |
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Shank |
A shoulder is
a term that can be used to describe this unthreaded portion of a bolt.
Bolt Shoulders exist for two reasons. The first is to create an area on
the bolt where sheering is less likely to occur. If a load is pulling
sideways against the unthreaded area of a bolt then the bolt will be
less likely to snap as the area where the pressure is being placed is
stronger than the threaded portion. The second reason for a shank is to
allow for more versatile uses. This shank can act as an area for
something attached to the bolt to be moved around. |
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Driving
threaded fasteners |
The
"drive" of a fastener is the area of the screw or bolt where a tool is
used to turn it, such as a screwdriver, bit, socket, or wrench. The
drive is a set of shaped cavities and protrusions on the fastener head
that allows torque to be applied to it |
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Nut |
A nut is a
type of fastener with a threaded hole that is used to fasten multiple
parts together with a mating bolt. The nut is the female member of the
pair, with internal threads that match those of the bolt. The bolt is
the cylindrical metal shaft with a threaded end. The two parts are kept
together by a combination of their threads' friction, with slight
elastic deformation, and a slight stretching of the bolt. |
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Washers |
Washers are
thin plates with a hole in the centre that are used to distribute the
load of a threaded fastener, such as a bolt or nut. They can be made of
metal or plastic, and there are many different types, including flat,
lock, split, star, Belleville, and wave. Washers can also be square.
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