There are so many kinds of bolts, but Fasteners, Inc. can help you get to know your bolts and their many uses. Basically, a bolt is a small metal rod with threads and a head, and it uses a nut fastener with a threaded hole to assemble two unthreaded components.
It may seem simple, but there are many kinds of bolts for a variety of applications. According to a Mechanical Buzz article, here are some bolts and their uses.
Glue-In Bolt
A glue-in bolt has superior strength and is the longest lasting. It can be used for soft and hard rocks where stress corrosion cracking is a concern. If the hole is bigger than the bolt some glue can be placed along the hole to give a tighter grip on the bolt. If you glue it, once the bolt is in place it cannot be removed.
Sleeve Bolt
A sleeve bolt is a stainless steel five-piece powers bolt. It comes in ⅜ inch and ½ inch diameters. This plated steel bolt can be easily replaced. It has a hex bolt head and the longer bolt has two sleeves but is still called a five-piece bolt. It has more strength than a wedge bolt.
Petzl Long Life Bolt
A Petzl long-life stainless-steel bolt is a ½ inch in diameter and 2 inches in length. It has a steel pin set in the shaft. It is a strong bolt and lasts long but is not safe in medium to soft rock.
Wedge Bolts
A wedge bolt is a power stud stainless steel bolt or a non-stainless steel double sleeve stud bolt. It has a threaded shaft and nut with a small clip at the top which holds the nut and shaft tight. It comes in ⅜ inch and ½ inch diameters. A wedge bolt is weaker than the sleeve bolt and can make more errors as they deform.
Sheath Bolt
There are two types of sheath bolts. The Star Dryvin bolt has a star printed on it. The Taper Bolt has a stud sticking through it and hex head with no threads.
Compression Bolt
A compression bolt is called a button head because the tail end of the bolt resembles a button. It is 1 ¼ inches to 2 inches long and a 1/4 inch in diameter. It has split shafts to hold the hole when it’s hammered. It has a force fit. Hammering it makes the split shafts come together at the place of contact with the holes to get a strong grip.
Self-Drill Bolt
Not used much anymore, a self-drill bolt has a large machine bolt head. It acts like a drill bit which is pretty handy.
Torque Bolts, Aluminum Dowel Bolts, and Zamac Nailin Bolts
While once common, this group of fasteners are not typically in use anymore.
Our bolt experts at Fasteners, Inc. can help you know your bolts and their many uses. And no matter what you need, we feature standard and specialized fasteners like bolts and nuts, as well as washers, screws, rivets, clips, clamps, wiring products, fittings, anchors, pins, rods, and retainers. Our extensive inventory is available for prompt, accurate delivery or shipment in fasteners ranging from aluminum to stainless to heat-treated steel. Contact us for details.