5 Common Mistakes You Should Avoid While Using Fasteners

A fastener or a screw is like a small tool used in fabrication that mechanically joins and holds two or more pieces together. Usually, they are used to create joints that can be dismantled without damaging the components. You can easily remove the screw without having to break or rip the joint pieces apart.

However, committing certain errors while using fasteners can result in greater loss later on. Such common mistakes and corrective measures are listed below -

Not choosing the correct type -

A wide range of fasteners is available that are meant for different applications. This includes a variety made out of metals like stainless steel, alloy steel, brass, aluminium or even plastic. Stainless steel fasteners are best for corrosion resistance. Brass fasteners are used in soldering whereas those made of plastic are suitable for marine applications. Using a fastener that is not meant for a particular purpose is the most common error committed by workers.

Not drilling proper holes -

If the fasteners have an incorrect drill point, installing them can be difficult. Similarly, if a wrong device or tool is used to make the hole, the fastener might not fit in properly. Such insertion can lead to problems later. For example, if they are used to build a piece of furniture and proper holes are not drilled out, risk of breaking arises. Not only does it leave the piece prone to breaking apart but also damages the exposed fasteners.

Compromise on quality -

A huge mistake that people make is settling for low-quality nails and fasteners. Those kinds of screws are comparatively cheaper than the ones made up of corrosion-resistant steel. Opting for low nickel stainless steel can prove to be harmful in the long run. Many SS fasteners manufacturers suggest selecting higher quality products as they are not only reliable but also require less maintenance.

Less or no maintenance -

The lifespan of a fastener depends upon how well it is maintained. It is important to establish a regular cleaning schedule. If contaminants build up on the surface over a long period of time, the cleaning process becomes difficult. The appearance of the fasteners can deteriorate in the process. External agents like metallic dust and water can come in contact with the hardware and cause harm. Also, if the surface is exposed to water, the protective layer over the fasteners corrodes and eventually gets removed.

Galvanic corrosion -

Another culprit of causing damage to fasteners is galvanic corrosion. When iron or stainless-steel fasteners are left open in the air, they can react with the oxygen. As a result, rusting can appear on the fasteners and physically decay them. Let us take the example of fasteners used in ships and submarines. Generally, aluminium or stainless steel is used to construct such items. However, when the salty water of the ocean comes in contact with those, the material weakens and loses its holding capacity. This way, it also becomes more prone to corrosion.