Fastener Help Articles

Fastener Help Articles

You may have heard of "Blue Bolt Coating", its real name is Whitford Xylan?

Coating... and it isn't always blue. Many of our customers ask for the "Blue Bolt

Coating", but what exactly is Xylan and when should it be used?
    Xylan is a blend of fluoropolymers, engineering plastics and selected corrosion

inhibitors which, when combined, create these characteristics in fasteners:
            Low friction
            Exceptional adhesion
            Unusual resistance to wear and abrasion
            Excellent corrosion resistance     
            Resistance to chipping 
            Resistance to the weather, sunlight and salt water
    Xylan's versatility is best demonstrated as a coating for stud

Bolts and nuts, where it provides

unparalleled performance in ease of installation, corrosion resistance and ease of removal.

It can be used on standard alloy steel nuts and bolts, or can be paired with stainless

steel fasteners for even more benefits.
    Xylan fastener coatings or "Blue Bolt Coatings" are typically specified in

oil and waterworks applications.
    A bolt’s function essentially boils down to applying a high enough

Hose Clamps force that when external

forces are applied, transverse movement and separation cannot occur. Using calibrated

torque tools to tighten fasteners and apply that clamp force is far superior to going by

the user’s judgement or feeling.  Or, as one senior technician calls it “The One Grunt or

Two Grunts Method”.  Measuring torque alone, however, does not ensure a proper

installation.
    1. Torque is an indirect indicator of Tension.
    Torque is the measurement of twisting force needed to thread the fasteners together.
    2. Tension is the force that actually holds an assembly together. Put another way:
    A bolt can stretch similar to a spring, as it becomes tightened once all the parts of

the assembly are brought together.
    The higher the torque applied to the fastener, the more tension is created as the bolt

stretches.
    If a bolt is like a spring and more torque equals more tension, why does not a certain

amount of torque always result in the same amount of tension?
    Though the relationship between torque and tension is linear, many other factors can

affect this relationship. Some of these factors include surface texture, rust, oil, debris,

material type, locking elements and human error.  Because of these variables, tightening to

a specific torque setting can create varied results in the field or on the assembly line.
    General commodity commercial fasteners do not fall under the umbrella of products that

would require a UL listing or ICC-ES report. There are three main governing bodies that

cover specifications for fasteners. ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)

covers primarily bolts and fasteners for construction applications. SAE (Society of

Automotive Engineers) covers fasteners for automotive, machinery, and OEM applications.

ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) standards B18.2.1 and B18.2.1 cover

dimensional tolerances for square and hex head bolts,

Screws, and

Nuts. Mudge Fasteners provides fasteners to

these three sets of specifications (ASTM, SAE, and ASME). A fourth specification group that

is also applicable is AASHTO (American Association of State Highway & Transportation

Officials). AASHTO specifications are typically only called out on highway projects and

many AASHTO designations can be directly converted to an ASTM equivalent.
    ICC (International Code Council) is the primary governing body responsible for writing

and maintaining building, plumbing, mechanical, and fire codes adopted by local and state

municipalities, and the federal government. ICC-ES (International Code Council-Evaluation

Services, Inc.) is the branch of ICC responsible for performing technical evaluations of

building products, components, methods, and materials to ensure that they meet the

requirements of the codes. This evaluation process culminates in an ICC-ES report that

provides evidence that the evaluated product or system meets code requirements. However, in

the case of most anchor bolts and fasteners, the applicable sections of the codes

(International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Property

Maintenance Code, Etc.) direct you to the ASTM specifications covering said

Anchors or fasteners. As the ASTM

specifications already cover anchor bolts and fasteners in detail, there is no reason for

ICC to write their own specifications for these items. For the same reason, ICC-ES does not

need to perform evaluation testing of anchor bolts or fasteners. As long as the bolts meet

the applicable ASTM specification(s), they will meet the applicable Code section(s).
    When you are shortening bolt or

Threaded Rods with a hacksaw, you always mangle the threads at the sawn end, making

it difficult to get a nut threaded onto it. Reader Larry LeMasters tip produces a much

better ending. Thread two nuts onto the bolt at the cutoff spot, tighten them against each

other, then saw against the shoulder to create a clean right-angled cut. Next, loosen the

nuts and file a slight bevel around the end to clear burrs created by sawing. Then spin off

the nuts to clean and realign the threads. Your shorter bolt will work just like a new one

from the box.
    There are several distinct types of fastener, which may be referred to as a pin. These

include small headless nails, sharpened pins used for holding fabrics while sewing,

attaching paper to pinboards and the like, and several types of mechanical fasteners.

Pins are an unthreaded mechanical

fasteners, which are designed to be inserted through preformed holes.
    Lock Washers and vibration-resistant

washers are designed to prevent a threaded fastener from loosening. The terms are often

used interchangeably. However, there is a difference.
    Lock washers resist torque or loosening for a given preload, and vibration-resistant

washers maintain a more constant preload when there’s movement in a joint. A lock washer

may include some teeth to increase friction or tabs to provide positive locking. A

vibration-resistant washer, on the other hand, will be sprung so that as the joint moves, a

relatively consistent preload is maintained on the fastener.
    Rivets are mechanical fasteners with

a plain unthreaded shaft that are inserted through holes to join two or more parts

together. A permanently formed head at each end prevents the rivet from removal from the

hole. The shaft prevents any radial movements of the components. Depending on the type of

rivet, and its ability to support shear load, it can resist considerable forces. The heads

prevent axial movements of the parts, although less force is supported in this way.       

    Greens Powder: Are there Health Benefits?
    Health Care Material is a

dietary supplement that has become a popular way to help people reach their daily

recommended intake of vitamins and minerals. The nutrient combination in greens powder is

formulated to support your body’s immune system and energy levels while meeting the

nutrition requirements for a healthy diet.
    Ingredients in greens powders vary by brand, but commonly include nutrition from:
            Leafy greens and seaweed
            Grasses and other vegetables
            Antioxidant-rich fruits
            Probiotics
            Nutritional extracts and herbs
        Cosmetics Material is

most often mixed into water, smoothies, or juices. While these powders often come with a

grassy taste, natural sugar substitutes like stevia extract are added to improve the

flavor. These dietary powders are also usually vegan and made from non-genetically-modified

and organic products.
    Nutrition Information
    Nutrition content in natural powders will vary

by brand. On average, a one-tablespoon serving contains:
            Calories: 45
            Protein: 3 grams   
            Carbohydrates: 6 grams
            Iron: 18% of your daily value
            Vitamin A: 60% of your daily value
        Greens powders often include high levels of vitamin C, which has been linked to

healthy immune system function, protection against heart disease, and good skin health.   
            Potential Health Benefits
            Because greens powders are made from dried fruits and vegetables, some

important nutritional content like fiber is lost in the process. Greens powders are not a

substitute for a well-balanced diet and cannot replace the nutritional benefits you get

from consuming whole foods.
            However, doctors say that greens powder can be a great way to supplement a

healthy diet with a boost of extra vitamins and antioxidants.
            Taking some vitamins in excess can lead to health issues or may interact with

certain medications. It’s important to talk to your doctor before adding any nutritional

supplements to your diet and choose a reputable brand of greens powder.
    The nutrients in greens powders can contribute to potential health benefits including:
    Healthy Blood Pressure
    Minerals found in Medicinal

Material like calcium and potassium are associated with good blood pressure

management. In one clinical study, people who took one serving daily of greens powder

experienced a decrease in both their systolic and diastolic blood pressure。 
        Immune System Support   
        Greens powders contain high levels of vitamins and minerals associated with

maintaining a healthy immune system. Vitamin A has anti-inflammatory properties that

enhance immunity. For example, Selenium is found in most greens powders, and is proven to

help the immune system fight infection。   
        Chronic Disease Prevention   
        The vitamins found in Feed

Additives can reduce your risk of chronic diseases in the long term. Vitamins like C

and K are potent antioxidants that fight cell-damaging free radicals.
        This cell damage is known as oxidation and is linked to the development of chronic

diseases like diabetes and heart disease. One study found that a serving of greens powder

taken daily reduced cell oxidation in participants by 30%.
        Eye and Cognitive Health
        Vitamin K found in leafy greens is associated with numerous health benefits

including maintaining healthy blood vessels, lessening the risk of heart problems, and

preventing bone loss with aging. Recent studies have also found vitamin K may promote eye

health and reduce incidence of age-related dementia.