FASTENERS 101™
Nut FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Nuts
Nuts are used with bolts to tighten the bolt against the installation material.
Either a bolt or stud can be used with a nut.
A bolt is threaded through a hole and the nut tightens onto the bolt to hold the materials together.
Nuts and bolts are used anywhere that a temporary joint needs to be made.
A flange nut has a wider portion built in that acts as a washer.
The inside diameter by the thread pitch. EX: ¼”-20
Lock nuts are nuts with built-in mechanisms to resist backing-off, vibration, and removal.
Most lock nuts screw onto a bolt the exact same way as a regular nut.
Many lock nuts have an added abrasive material that makes them more difficult to remove by adding friction. There are many types of lock nuts, each engineered to resist backing off in a different way.
Common types include hex nuts, flange nuts, lock nuts, and wing nuts, each suited for specific applications based on load and accessibility.
Nylon lock nuts can be reused a limited number of times, but their locking effectiveness decreases with each use—replace if performance is critical.
Apply penetrating oil, use a wrench with steady force, and heat the nut if necessary to expand it and break the rust or thread lock.
Steel nuts, especially those with high-grade coatings or alloys, are among the strongest, suitable for heavy-duty applications.
Yes, but washers distribute load and prevent damage, so they’re recommended for most applications.
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