16 Types of Bolts and Their Uses

Components of different applications require fastening with one another to conduct their purpose, and in this case, bolts are widely used. These bolts not only help to join small components but also help fasten together large parts of machines.

If you want to know about the different types of bolts and their uses, the guide below can help you. So, let's read.

What is a Bolt Fastener?

Bolt fasteners are types of fasteners that help in securing the materials together. There are different types of bolt fasteners and have screws like machine threads.

Every bolt fastener has a different shape and style and is meant to cover the fastening process differently.

Parts of a Bolt

There are parts of a bolt, and these are discussed below:

Head

The head of the bolt is the upper part of it which grips the surface of the tool and helps in tightening and loosening a bolt. It requires the right tool to create a proper grip.

Shank

After the head of the bolt comes the shank, it is the smooth portion of the bolt. It has threading and helps with radial movements of workpieces connected with one another.

Enfiamento

Bolts also consist of threading through the shank which helps them drive inside and out of the workpieces. Based on the type of bolt, some of them have a larger threaded part, and some have less.

16 Types of Bolts and Their Use

There are different types of bolts, and each has its own use; the 16 types of bolts are discussed below.

Anchor Bolt

Anchor bolts are used for connecting the parts to the concrete surfaces. These are used in construction and have a steel pole base. They help fasten the facade systems so that they can be reinforced in concrete walls.

Arbor Bolt

Arbor bolts are used with power tools like miter saws. They can hold the tool securely, and the blade stays in a fixed position.

These bolts have a shaft that holds the blade in place. These bolts have a washer attached to the bolt tip, a sunken head design, and reverse threads.

Blind Bolt

In applications where there is less access to one of its sides to secure materials, the blind bolts are opted for. These bolts are fitted using a spanner, which turns the bolt on the side that can be seen. It creates a joint with strength.

Carriage Bolt

The carriage bolt consists of a head that is shaped like a shallow dome and has a flat tip. The bolt shaft has threads that help keep the nut in place and fasten metal and wooden parts.

Elevator Bolt

These elevator bolts have heads that are thin, round, and flat; they fit perfectly with the surface connection. The threads on the shafts of the bolt are very coarse. It has a square-shaped neck, which keeps the bolt in place, and is used in pulleys and elevators.

Eye Bolt

Eye bolts have threads on their shank and straight ends, which are looped and composed of a round or a square neck, which increases the resistance to be bent.

The eye bolts are used in rigging, hoisting, lifting, and tugging, and they can even help route the wires and cables.

Flange Bolt

Flange bolts have a round flange, which is present under its head and works like a washer for load distribution.

These bolts are also called frame bolts and are used in plumbing and automobile applications. It can help create a very durable connection between larger surface areas.

Hex Bolt

Hex bolt has a hexagonal head and is rotated with the help of a wrench. It is used to fasten the machine components and structural parts, which are either wooden or metal.

J-Bolt

J-bolts are the ones that do not have a bolt head but have a threaded end, which can fix a bolt. These are used in the construction industry to create connections between walls and roofs.

Lag Bolt

Lag bolts are screw fasteners and have a pointed end which allows to create a threaded hole on rotation. They consist of a hexagonal or square-shaped head and are used to fasten wooden parts.

Machine Bolt

Machine bolts are composed of squares of hexagonal heads, which can be fixed with a socket or a wrench.

They do not contain ends that are round or chamfered and are not fitted with a washer. These bolts have bigger diameters and sizes and can help attach metal to wood or metal to metal.

Hanger Bolt

A headless bolt that has a lag screw on one end and machine bolt threads on the other creates hanger bolts. These are suitable for creating a connection between the timber and metal components. They can also tap holes in wood with its pointed tip.

Plow Bolt

Plow bolts look like carriage bolts except for the countersunk heads. They consist of a square neck, which prevents them from rotating, and are used in excavators, tractors, and snow plows.

Rock Bolt

Rock bolts are composed of an anchor bolt in a long length and can help in stabilizing rock excavations. It helps transfer loads from an unstable exterior and is used to create a mechanical setting.

Square Bolt

Square bolts are used in aesthetic applications to give a rustic look. They were popular before the hex bolts and can be used to make the fasteners that are in the existing structure into an older one.

T-head Bolt

T-head bolts are used with a nut and join the object, which has a t-shaped slot. These are used in pipe clamps and clamping fixtures for machine tools.

How are Bolt Fasteners Made?

Bolt fasteners are manufactured by being shaped, threaded, and then heat-treated. A steel wire is first cut to the length that is needed. It is then heated and forged in the dies to create the required shape of the bolt head.

Once the shape is attained, the bolts are subjected to threading using a machine and then treated with heat to improve their durability. The bolts can also be subjected to an additional coating to make them corrosion-resistant.

Common Materials for Making Bolts

There are many material options that are utilized for manufacturing bolts based on their application requirements, and some of these are discussed below:

Aço carbono

Carbon steel is used in manufacturing fastener bolts as it offers strength and is low cost. Carbon steel bolts are commonly opted for in the construction sector.

Aço de liga leve

Alloy steel bolts are manufactured by combining carbon steel and other elements, which ensures high mechanical strength and corrosion resistance. These bolts are used in harsh environments.

Aço inoxidável

Stainless steel is composed of chromium, and it creates a layer of oxide over it, enhancing the corrosion resistance. These are used in applications that are moisture-oriented.

Titânio

Titanium bolts offer a high strength-to-weight ratio and are composed of biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. These are used in applications related to aeronautical, marine, and medical sectors.

Ligas de níquel

Nickel alloys like monel and Inconel offer resistance against stress and high temperature; these are suitable for use in chemical processing and aerospace applications.

Benefits of Using Bolt Fasteners

Bolt fasteners offer ample benefits, and some of these are as follows:

• The major advantage of choosing bolt fasteners is that they help create strong joints.
• Bolt fasteners offer enhanced safety because they do not fall easily like other fasteners and do not damage easily.
• Bolts are very easy to install and do not need any special tools.
• The bolt fasteners are known for their excellent appearance, as they are available in different types of coatings and colors.
• They can be reused when needed by removing them and fixing them again which helps to save time as well as money.

Factors to Consider When Selecting Bolt Types

When choosing the type of bolt, you will come across many options, but there are some important factors that must be considered in the selection, and these are as follows:

• The material chosen for the bolt fastener must match the strength requirement of the application.
• The bolt fastener opted for should have a relevant coating that makes it suitable for use in a particular environment.
• Bolt fasteners have either coarse threads or fine ones, and their selection depends on the load they have to bear.
• Some applications require specialized bolts that are highly tensile or meant for heat-resistant environments, and this is a factor to consider when choosing one.

Applications of Bolts in Various Industries

Bolt fasteners are used in almost every industry, but some of the common applications are given below:

Construção: In the construction industry, bolt fasteners are used in columns, steel frameworks, and structural beams.

Aeroespacial: They help join the fuselages, wings, and aircraft frames in the aerospace sector.

Eletrónica: The bolt fasteners can hold the casing and enclosures with the internal components of electronic devices.

Petróleo e gás: In the drilling rigs and pipelines most of the components are held with the help of bolts suitable for the harsh surroundings.

Conclusão

The guide above must have given you an idea of the significance of using bolts in different applications and how they can be put to use.

If you are looking to have custom bolt fasteners manufactured based on your requirements and material choice, DEK can help you with that.

FAQs

What is a bolt in mechanical engineering?

A bolt is used in mechanical engineering to hold the components of a machine together.

What is a fully threaded bolt called?

A fully threaded bolt is called a hex tap bolt.

How do washers work with bolts?

Washers help distribute the load when combined with bolts.