Fasteners are useful components for constructing assemblies, and they are used to secure two or more components to each other in a permanent or non-permanent fashion. With any assembly, it is important that the fastener remains secure in its installation and does not become loose at any time. While choosing the right fastener with the correct threading, attachment capabilities, or other characteristics is important for an optimal connection, the installation process itself can also make the difference between a secure connection and a poor one. In order to ensure optimal fastener installation, individuals must understand the property of torque and tension.
In the realm of physics and mechanics, torque refers to a rotational force that is brought about through the twist of an object around a set axis. Torque can be measured by multiplying force by distance, and feet/inch pounds or Newton-Metres may be used depending upon the country and its measurement system. When applying the concept of
bearing assy torque to the installation of a bolt, screw, or other fastener type, the process also takes tension into account.
Tension refers to the force that holds the assembly together, and it is often achieved through the stretching of fasteners. For example, a bolt is secured to an assembly by passing the tail end of the fastener through the preformed hole of a component and securing a nut to the other side. With surfaces on each side of the established assembly that have a diameter surpassing the installation hole, the fastener will hold the assembly in place.
As the bolt is tightened further, it will begin to stretch and exert a tension force against the assembly to keep it together. Torque is directly related to fastener tension as tension will increase as more torque is applied to the installation. With
bolt fasteners, tension and torque work together to achieve tensile and shearing strength.
When applying torque to a fastener during the installation process, it is important to be careful not to supply too much force. A fastener that is overtightened can be stretched too far, causing the component to break. On the other hand, too little torque will create an assembly that is not fully secure, and the fastener possibly may become deformed.
In order to determine the proper amount of torque for a given fastener, it is important to consider the material properties of the component and its role. Generally, lower grade materials such as low- to medium-grade carbon steels will have a lower minimum tensile strength as compared to a higher grade material such as quenched and tempered alloy steels. By referring to manufacturer specifications or manuals for a particular product, one can determine the set torque values that are permissible or recommended for installation.
To install fasteners and provide ample torque,
torque wrenches and similar tools are needed. As applications such as aircraft construction require an increased amount of precision, it can be highly beneficial to obtain tools that measure torque through analog or digital means. Having proper torque measurements can prevent costly recalibration and fixes, thus such equipment can save time and money. To ensure that tools remain steadfast and useful, they should be regularly maintained.
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