Table of Contents
- Nuts Classified by Structural Design
- Nuts Classified by Material Properties
- Nuts Classified by Functional Purpose
- Special-Purpose Nuts for Unique Applications
I. Nuts Classified by Structural Design
1. Hex Nut
- Characteristics
- Classic hexagonal shape for wrench/socket operation; available in standard, thin (30–50% reduced height), and thick (20–30% higher load capacity) versions.
- Thread sizes range from M3 to M100+; surface treatments include zinc plating, dacromet (1000+ hours salt spray resistance), and black oxide.
- Applications
- General machinery assembly (gearboxes, bearing housings), structural steel connections (building frameworks), and automotive chassis fixing (suspension systems).
2. Flange Nut
- Characteristics
- Integrated circular flange at the base (diameter ≥ 1.5x nut width), with anti-slip teeth or rubber washers to increase contact area by 50%+ and reduce loosening from vibration.
- Stress-free design for thin-walled component connections.
- Applications
- Vibratory equipment (engine cylinder bolts, hydraulic pipelines in construction machinery), and low-strength substrates (aluminum/plastic materials).
3. Wing Nut
- Characteristics
- Hand-tightened dual-wing design for tool-free installation/removal; torque capacity ≤15N·m (steel) or ≤5N·m (plastic); available in double-ear or single-wing types.
- Materials: carbon steel (zinc-plated), stainless steel (304/316), or nylon (insulated and lightweight).
- Applications
- Laboratory instruments (fixture adjustments), equipment access panels (quick maintenance), and furniture hardware (detachable connections).
4. T-Slot Nut
- Characteristics
- T-shaped cross-section for sliding in extruded profiles (e.g., European-standard aluminum profiles, industrial steel structures); spring-loaded variants prevent rotation during installation.
- Fits M4–M12 threads; materials: carbon steel (zinc-plated) or stainless steel (304).
- Applications
- Industrial automation (assembly of conveyor brackets), modular workbenches (flexible structure building), and exhibition displays (quick 拼接).
5. Nylon Insert Lock Nut
- Characteristics
- Internal nylon ring or elastic washer for friction-based anti-loosening (verified by torque-angle method); spark-free; temperature range: -40°C to 120°C.
- Compliant with GB/T 889.1 and ISO 7042; available in all-metal (high-temperature) and non-metal (standard) versions.
- Applications
- Rail transit (bogie connections), aerospace (engine accessory fixing), and precision instruments (vibration resistance).
6. Cap Nut
- Characteristics
- Closed-top design (hemispherical/cylindrical) to protect bolt threads from corrosion and impact; surface finishes include chrome/nickel plating or plastic coating.
- Materials: stainless steel or aluminum; fits M5–M30 threads.
- Applications
- Outdoor lighting (bolt protection for street lamps), medical devices (dust prevention), and decorative hardware (exposed connections in furniture/bathroom fixtures).
II. Nuts Classified by Material Properties
1. Metallic Nuts
- Stainless Steel Nuts (304/316/316L)
- Characteristics
- 304: Resists general corrosion (≥48 hours salt spray); 316: Chloride-resistant (seawater/chemical environments); tensile strength 500–800MPa.
- Food-grade compliance (316L) with no additional surface treatment needed.
- Applications
- Marine equipment (seawater cooling systems), chemical reactors (acid/alkali media), and food processing machinery (hygienic requirements).
- Carbon Steel Nuts (4.8/8.8/10.9/12.9 Grades)
- Characteristics
- Clear strength grading (nominal tensile strength ×100MPa); quenched and tempered for grades ≥8.8; zinc/dacromet coating (500–1000 hours salt spray).
- Cost-effective; matches high-strength bolts (e.g., 10.9-grade bolts with 10-grade nuts).
- Applications
- Bridge construction (high-strength bolt connections), heavy machinery (gearbox fastening), and automotive engines (cylinder head bolts).
- Aluminum Alloy Nuts (6061/7075)
- Characteristics
- 1/3 the density of steel; strength ≤600MPa (suitable for M12 and below); paired with aluminum bolts to prevent galvanic corrosion.
- Anodized surface for enhanced hardness and corrosion resistance.
- Applications
- Aerospace (aircraft lightweight components), drones (frame 减重), and sports equipment (bicycles/ski gear).
2. Non-Metallic Nuts
- Plastic Nuts (Nylon/Polypropylene/ABS)
- Characteristics
- Insulating, chemically resistant (acid/alkali/salt); density ≤1.2g/cm³; temperature resistance ≤100°C (nylon)/70°C (polypropylene); load capacity ≤5kN (M8).
- Customizable colors; RoHS-compliant.
- Applications
- Electrical equipment (PCB insulation), bathroom fixtures (moist environments), and children’s toys (safe, metal-free).
- Ceramic Nuts (Alumina/Silicon Nitride)
- Characteristics
- High-temperature resistance (alumina ≤1600°C, silicon nitride ≤1200°C); high hardness (HV≥1500); excellent insulation; brittle (requires precise installation).
- High cost, for extreme conditions only.
- Applications
- Aircraft engines (high-temperature turbine areas), semiconductor equipment (cleanroom environments), and nuclear facilities (radiation resistance).
III. Nuts Classified by Functional Purpose
1. Locking Nuts
- Types & Characteristics
- Friction-based
- Mechanical interlock
- Permanent lock
- Applications
- All dynamic load scenarios (vehicle suspensions, vibrating screens), safety-critical connections (pressure vessels, lifting equipment).
2. Weld Nuts
- Characteristics
- Protruding/angled bottom for resistance welding (spot/projection) to workpieces (plate thickness ≥1.5mm); eliminates pre-tapping, improving assembly efficiency by 30%.
- Materials: low-carbon steel (SPCC); copper/zinc-plated for better weldability.
- Applications
- Automotive bodywork (door/chassis welding), home appliance casings (refrigerator/washing machine brackets), and prefabricated steel structures.
3. Expansion Nuts
- Characteristics
- Internal expandable sleeve (metal/plastic) that grips substrates (concrete/brick/gypsum board) when tightened; drill bit size must match (±0.5mm tolerance).
- Types: knock-in (manual) vs. self-tapping (screw-driven expansion).
- Applications
- Construction (curtain rod/AC bracket fixing), equipment foundations (heavy machinery anchor bolts), and bridge bearing installations.
4. Self-Tapping Nuts
- Characteristics
- Threads with cutting edges for tapping into thin sheets (1–3mm thickness) without pre-drilling (hole diameter = thread minor diameter - 0.2mm); materials: carbon steel (zinc-plated).
- Used with self-tapping screws for tight connections.
- Applications
- Automotive interiors (plastic/steel sheet joining), furniture panels (particleboard/plywood), and electronic enclosures (aluminum sheets).
5. High-Strength Nuts (Grade 10/12)
- Characteristics
- Compliant with ISO 898-2; medium-carbon alloy steel (Cr/Mo) quenched and tempered; minimum 310HV hardness, tensile strength ≥1000MPa.
- Matched with 10.9/12.9-grade bolts; preload control required (torque/turn angle method).
- Applications
- Pressure vessels (flange connections), wind turbines (tower bolts), and construction machinery (hydraulic cylinder fixing).
IV. Special-Purpose Nuts
1. Blind Rivet Nuts
- Characteristics
- Hollow design installed via rivet gun, creating a back-side anchor from one side of the plate (suitable for enclosed cavities); available in countersunk/flat head.
- Materials: carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum; fits 2–5mm plate thickness.
- Applications
- Aerospace (aircraft skin bonding), rail transit (carriage interior fixing), and container manufacturing (sealed structures).
2. Trapezoidal Nuts
- Characteristics
- 30° trapezoidal threads (0.5P thread height) for ≥90% transmission efficiency; withstands bidirectional axial loads; integral or split design (easy disassembly); bronze alloy (excellent anti-friction).
- Matches trapezoidal lead screws (T8/T12/T16).
- Applications
- Machine tool drives (ball screw-nut pairs), lifting platforms (screw jacks), and valve control mechanisms (opening/closing adjustment).
3. Pipe Nuts
- Characteristics
- Compatible with pipe threads (NPT/BSPT/G); sealed with tapered faces or gaskets (copper/PTFE); single/double-head types; pressure rating ≤30MPa (steel).
- Zinc/nickel-plated; compliant with ASME B1.20.1.
- Applications
- Plumbing (union connections), gas systems (stainless steel pipe fixing), and hydraulic circuits (high-pressure hoses).
4. Eye Nuts
- Characteristics
- Top loop for lifting; marked with safe working load (e.g., 2t/5t/10t); used with shackles/slings; materials: alloy steel (quenched and tempered).
- Threads must align precisely to avoid eccentric loading.
- Applications
- Lifting equipment (machine hoisting), industrial machinery (mold handling), and construction (prefabricated component lifting).
Selection Guidelines
By matching nuts to specific operational needs, you ensure optimal fastening performance, safety, and cost-efficiency.