Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Bolts And Studs: Guide For First-Time Buyers

By Daniel Lonney


By definition, a bolt is a headed fastener with external threads that meet an exacting, uniform bolt thread specification. On the other hand, a stud is a type of fastener that doesn't have a head. The shaft of a stud is threaded on both ends and may or may not have an unthreaded section in the middle.

Both studs and bolts have to be compliant with the ASTM or American Society for Testing and Materials specifications. Common examples of ASTM-compliant studs and bolts are A193 B7 Studs and A193 B7 bolts, respectively. Bolts and studs can be made from these materials: metals, brass and super duplex stainless steel.

With all these similarities, it's not uncommon for some people to think that studs and bolts can be used interchangeably. Besides their difference in structure, they essentially perform the same job. That is, they both fasten two separate objects together often through the use of a nut or nuts. However, it is this difference in appearance that determines how they are best used.

One significant difference between bolts and studs is how each react to strain - particularly tensile strain. Because it fastens with two nuts, a stud will not come into contact with a twisting force, only a pulling force. A bolt will experience both a twisting force around its head and a pulling force along its body. This makes studs more ideal for use to conditions where it will be subjected to a lot of movement, such as in automotive works.

On the practical aspect, bolts cost cheaper than studs. Bolts are easy to mass produce and because of this people would find it easy to look for these supplies. Businesses like super duplex bolt suppliers and nuts and bolts suppliers are also selling their products online.

This of course doesn't mean that sourcing out studs is difficult. With the proliferation of specialty nuts and bolts supplier online, looking for the right bolt or stud for whatever project you have is really easy. Just make sure to keep the differences between studs and bolts in mind. This way, you get exactly what you need.




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