Carbon Steel Fasteners

Carbon steel fasteners are hardware components such as bolts, screws, nuts, and washers manufactured predominantly of carbon steel, a type of steel with a high carbon content, often ranging from 0.05% to 2.0% by weight. These fasteners are noted for their incredible strength, durability, and low cost, making them popular in various industries such as construction, automotive, manufacturing, and infrastructure. Carbon steel fasteners are available in various grades and coatings to suit various applications, and when correctly placed and maintained, they provide excellent performance. However, in some conditions, they may be prone to corrosion, necessitating the application of protective coatings or galvanization for long-term usage.

Carbon steel fasteners include bolts, screws, nuts, washers, studs, and rivets. These fasteners are available in various forms, sizes, and configurations to meet diverse applications and needs. Bolts are often used to connect two or more components, whereas screws are frequently used to secure materials by threading them into a pre-drilled hole. Nuts are linked with bolts to lock them in place, while washers distribute the weight and protect the surface. Studs are threaded rods that lock components together, whereas rivets are permanent fasteners used when disassembly is unnecessary. Each type of carbon steel fastener has a specific application and is chosen depending on parameters such as load capacity, environmental conditions, and installation requirements.

Carbon steel grades commonly used in fastener manufacture include ASTM A307, ASTM A325, ASTM A449, ASTM A490, and SAE J429. ASTM A307 is a low-carbon steel ideal for general-purpose applications, whereas ASTM A325 and A490 are high-strength structural bolts utilized in building and infrastructure projects. ASTM A449 is a medium-carbon steel that is commonly used in high-temperature and high-pressure applications. In contrast, SAE J429 offers a wide range of carbon and alloy steel bolts, screws, and studs for automotive and equipment applications. These grades differ in chemical composition, mechanical qualities, and compatibility for specific conditions and loads, allowing for more precise selection based on application needs.