With many types of fasteners on the market, it can be difficult to determine which is best suited for particular applications. Because of this wide variety, some scenarios require specialized fasteners, like in instances where a wrench cannot be used. For example, difficult-to-reach locations may be impossible to access with a wrench, requiring other solutions to hold the fastener in place and tighten it appropriately. This is where captive hardware is well-suited to get the job done. Sometimes also known as captive fasteners, captive hardware is a hollow tube or channel into which a screw i ..read more

There are many instances where fasteners are exposed to conditions that test their strength and durability. However, one of the most critical uses of fasteners is in military applications such as in aircraft, tanks, missile systems, and more. This means that military fasteners must meet the toughest standards to prevent fatalities, avoid serious injuries, or reduce damage to critical systems. At OneMonroe EFI, we have the knowledge and experience to help you find the right military-grade fasteners for your needs. Specific to the defense, government, marine, nuclear, and shipbuilding industri ..read more

For more than 70 years, self-clinching hardware has been an invaluable tool when joining components to thin sheet metal. This technology is extremely versatile, with self-clinching fasteners including nuts, studs, spacers, and stand-offs. Once installed, these fasteners create permanent and sturdy threads in soft metals. As a result, self-clinching hardware is hard to remove or rotate. How Do Self-Clinching Fasteners Work? When self-clinching hardware is installed in a soft metal and tightened, it displaces the material around the mounting hole. As a result, this displaced material flows into ..read more

When installing rivets, many factors often play into ensuring it’s done consistently, accurately, and error-free. In many ways, this can come down to choosing the right supplier; a reputable and knowledgeable supplier can be a valuable asset to any company that regularly uses rivets. With a wide range of fasteners, tools, and other supplies, Monroe EFI has the expertise and experience any company can rely on for their rivet needs. When rivet installation goes wrong, it can be difficult to know why. Was it caused by the tool or the rivet itself? Or, was there insufficient training or not opt ..read more

Structures can come in all shapes and sizes; from the tallest building in the world to a ride at a local amusement park or crane on a nearby construction site. Each of these structures has specific assembly requirements to ensure that the constructed product meets safety and performance standards. The same can be said for the fasteners used to assemble these products, but how can these fasteners be assessed to ensure they measure up? This can be determined by measuring the stretch of any fastener, a characteristic known as the clamp load. The following methods are most common: Load Cells Lo ..read more

There are many different screws on the market, each designed for specific purposes. In the construction industry, along with many others, screws that create their own threads are widely used. However, there are two types of screws that are often confused with each other: self-drilling and thread-cutting screws. Both screw types create their own threads and can be used with metals and plastic components, but have important differences to keep in mind. What Are Self-Drilling Screws? As their name suggests, self-drilling screws drill their own holes while creating the threads. Because these scr ..read more

For many industries, corrosion presents a significant challenge. According to the Electrochemical Society, corrosion is extremely dangerous and can threaten human life. For example, when metal components in bridges or roadways corrode, they can collapse. In electronics, corrosion can cause fires. In medicine, corrosion can cause poisoning. Because of the severe and dangerous effects of corrosion, its prevention is extremely important. When two types of metal are in contact with each other (generally in the presence of water), it can result in galvanic (or bimetallic) corrosion. The issue of ..read more

Across many industries, there is a high demand for products that lessen the environmental impact of business processes. Especially in industries that rely on fasteners, there is a growing interest in environmentally friendly lubricants. The original introduction of the products date back to the 1980s, followed by high developmental momentum in the 1990s with innovations by Mobil Oil, John Deere, and Caterpillar. These hydraulic oils were derived from high-oleic sunflower oil, canola oil, and soybean oil. Depending on geographic region, different priorities are driving the invention of enviro ..read more

There are many types of steel on the market and when it comes to carbon steel, these metals are classified by their carbon content: low, medium, and high carbon. Each of these varieties possesses unique properties that make them best suited for certain applications. High-carbon steels are often used when strength and durability are important, such as in tools. Low carbon is typically favored in applications that require flexibility and precision. Low-carbon steel is also commonly used for fasteners like screws and hinges. The lower carbon content in low-carbon steel makes it more resistant t ..read more

A clamp load, also referred to as a preload, is the force that holds a joint together. In a bolted joint, the compression occurs on the surface of impact between two parts of the joint, creating a clamping force. When used in bolted joints, this creates tension that keeps the bolt together and makes it stronger and more reliable. If the clamp load of a bolted joint is too high, it could lead to wear and tear on the threads. If it is too low, the bolt may loosen. Methods of Measuring and Estimating Clamp Load There are various methods to measure or estimate clamp load in bolted joints. Each m ..read more