A mechanical fastener having threaded shafts is called a bolt. Typically, this fastener is put through two components with lined-up holes.
A nut is placed onto the bolt after it is inserted through the components, which all have unshielded holes to provide a clamping force and stop axial motion. After passing through the first piece with an evacuation hole, the threads of a screw are attached with cables in one section.
Two integers separated by a point are used to classify the bolts according to their strength. Check out the different types of bolts in this article.
See also: 7 essential types of screws you must know
Description
Through their aligned unthreaded holes, bolts are used to fasten and assemble parts, usually with a coordinating nut. A bolt’s shaft and head make up most of a bolt. The bolt thread and shank are the two terms used to describe the threaded and unthreaded portions of the bolt shaft. Bolts are frequently used with nuts and occasionally with washers.
Different parts of a bolt
Head
When viewed above the workpiece or component, the head is the uppermost portion of the bolt head. The head can come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The radius or diameter of the bolt determines the head size. Externally, the head’s size and form are the same as the nut’s.
Grip length
The portion of the bolt below the threadless head is known as the grip length. The clamped workpiece has a thickness more significant than the grip length.
Thread length
Thread length is the threaded portion of the length below the grip length. Along with the rotating nut, this is the length.
Nominal length
The bolt’s overall length, excluding the height of the head, is its nominal length.
Screw
The bolt and nut are different components. However, the bolt is referred to as a screw if there is no nut. A nut is employed to tighten the assembly and create a rigid bond.
Radius
The bolt’s radius is its radius along its entire length. Knowing this measurement is crucial when dealing with bolts.
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Various types of bolts
Anchor bolts
Anchor bolts connect parts to surfaces of concrete. They are frequently employed in the building sector. They often reside in the steel pole bases. Additionally, they are utilised to fasten façade systems to reinforced concrete walls.
Anchor bolts that are drilled into position are installed without using wet concrete. They are placed right into a sizable hole trained in hardened concrete.
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Blind bolts
When there is limited access to one of the sides of the secured materials, blind bolts are appropriate. The fitted bolt is rotated using a spanner to turn the nut on the visible side. This process creates a strong joint that can be completed in a short amount of time.
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Carriage bolts
They feature a flat tip and a shallow dome head. The bolt shaft has some threading. To avoid the bolt from spinning while the nut is tightened, a square neck is present under the head. They are frequently used to assemble wooden and metal components. They are employed in furniture, decks, patios, and frames.
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Elevators bolts
The flat, thin, and rounded heads of elevator bolts fit well with the connection surface and equally transmit the load across a greater area. The threads on the bolt shaft are coarse and only partially threaded.
Under their heads, a square neck prevents the bolt from rotating while the nut is being tightened or withdrawn. Elevator bolts are the best choice because they don’t obstruct the operation of elevators, pulleys, or conveying systems.
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Eye bolts
Eye bolts have a thread on their straight end and a shank that is wholly or partially looped. A square or round neck may be between the loop and the cord to increase bending resistance. Up to a point, the looped shank can raise weights.
Some eye bolt varieties can act as a point of attachment for applications, including lifting, hoisting, tugging, and rigging. You can also use them to organise and route materials like cables, wires, hoses, and ropes to reduce workplace hazards.
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Hanger bolts
Lag screw and machine bolt threads are on opposite ends of headless bolts, known as hanger bolts. They work perfectly for joining metal and timber products. They can tap holes into the wooden section since the lag screw thread has a pointed tip.
A machine’s predrilled holes receive the machine bolt thread. A nut is placed and screwed onto the machine bolt thread to finish the setup.
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Lag bolts
Because they do not take a nut, lag bolts or lag screws are technically screw fasteners. They feature a pointed end, which allows them to form a threaded hole as they are rotated on their heads, unlike other bolts with blunt tips. Lag bolts often come with a square or hexagonal head. They are frequently employed to fasten components made of wood.
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J-bolts
J-bolts lack a bolt head, but their threaded end can accommodate a nut. They are frequently employed in the building sector. You can bend the cast in a concrete slab as anchor bolts. They are engaged in roofing and wall-to-concrete attachments.
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Hex bolts
The forged hexagonal head of hex bolts, readily grasped and rotated with a wrench, distinguishes them. They are frequently used to fasten structural and machine parts. They work well for attaching metal and wooden components.
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Machine bolts
Machine bolts often have a hex or square head fixed with a wrench or a socket. They do not have chamfered or rounded ends and are not fit with a washer. They come in bigger sizes or diameters compared to machine screws.
Typically, they are employed to attach metal to metal and metal to wood. You can utilise them to fasten timber products as well. They are more rigid and have a larger load capacity than lag bolts, but they also need access to both sides of the materials.
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Plough bolts
Except for their countersunk heads, which are perfect for creating mechanical connections with flat surfaces, plough bolts are identical to carriage bolts in appearance. Additionally, they have a square neck to prevent the bolt from rotating while the nut is tightened.
Plough bolts are used in large machinery like scoop shovels, tractors, excavators, and snowploughs.
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Bolts with serrated flange
The construction of serrated flange bolts is virtually identical to conventional flange bolts, except that the circular flange beneath their heads has teeth that tightly grasp surfaces. These teeth effectively resist vibration and stop thread loosening by biting onto surfaces.
Serrated flange bolts are frequently employed in mechanical, plumbing, and electronic product casing applications.
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Uses of bolts
You can use bolts in the instances listed below.
- When the fixed components frequently need to be disassembled and reassembled
- When the fasteners are built of flimsy materials that can’t support strong threads
- When fastener components are of medium thickness, for instance, plates, flanges, beams, etc.
- When a location is open for the bolt head and nut
- When a spot is available for a spanner
FAQs
Which is the most widely used bolt?
Hex bolt is mostly used by workers because of its unique structure.
What are the different sizes of bolts?
Bolts are available in the sizes: 1/2 inch, 9/16 inch, 5/8 inch and 3/4 inch.
Which is the strongest bolt?
Grade 9 structural bolts are the strongest type of bolt.
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