In the intricate processes of advanced manufacturing, every component plays a pivotal role, regardless of size. At the heart of this precise choreography are fasteners – often unnoticed yet fundamental to the integrity and functionality of the final product. In advanced manufacturing, the role of fasteners goes beyond simply holding things together; they are integral to innovation, efficiency, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. The Backbone of Manufacturing Advanced manufacturing encompasses a wide array of cutting-edge production techniques, from automation and robotics to 3D printing ..read more

One small but essential component often overlooked is the fastener. Fasteners are essential in the vast and varied world of construction and manufacturing. These crucial pieces of hardware are the foundations of our buildings, vehicles, machinery, and much more. But what happens when they are subjected to extreme conditions? That's where the real challenge begins. Understanding the Environment Fasteners are used in many environments, some of which are incredibly harsh. From the scorching heat of desert oil drills to the bone-chilling cold of Arctic infrastructure, these conditions demand faste ..read more

Stainless Steel Beginnings: The Birth of a Revolution Once upon a time, in the bustling world of metallurgy, a transformative discovery was on the horizon. The scene is the early 20th century, a period rife with industrial innovation. Enter Harry Brearley, a metallurgist from Sheffield, England. In 1913, Brearley was experimenting to improve rifle barrels when he stumbled upon a formula that would change the world. By adding chromium to steel, he created a metal that didn't rust. This new alloy was soon to be known as stainless steel, a material that would revolutionize countless industries. T ..read more

When selecting materials for various industrial applications, two commonly used options are stainless steel and zinc. Each material offers unique properties and advantages that make it suitable for different purposes. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between stainless steel and zinc. 1. Composition and Properties Stainless: Stainless steel is an alloy primarily composed of iron, chromium, and nickel. This composition gives it remarkable corrosion resistance, making it an excellent choice for applications exposed to harsh environments, such as marine or chemical industries. It ..read more

The Ongoing Debate Between Coarse and Fine Thread Fasteners   The debate between fine vs. coarse thread fasteners is a long-standing one. The choice largely depends on the specific demands of your application and the associated costs. While coarse-threaded fasteners often work well for general purposes, there are plenty of scenarios where fine-threaded products outshine their counterparts.   Key Advantages   Superior Strength: Fine thread fasteners boast a larger stress area, leading to increased tension and shear strength due to their larger minor diameter.   Enhanced Stab ..read more

A deck screw plays a pivotal role in construction, offering strength and durability to various decking projects. With a myriad of screw types available, it's important to grasp the anatomy of these fasteners to ensure successful installation and longevity.  Among the most prevalent types of drives found in deck screws, we have square drives, 6-lobe drives, and the ever-popular Phillips drives. Each offers its unique benefits, with the choice largely depending on the project's specific requirements and the tools at hand.   Furthermore, the head of the screw is an important considerat ..read more

Popular for its strength and resistance to corrosion, stainless steel is a great option for many applications. Useful and reliable in most environmental conditions, it can offer long term dependability.  However, if you’re planning on working with stainless steel at high temperatures, you’ll need to better understand the properties of stainless steel you’re working with. High temperatures can degrade the oxidative resistance of SS, weakening their structural integrity.  Let’s look at the most common grades of SS and what their heat resistance properties are so you can find the be ..read more

Welcome to our blog! This guide is to help you gain a deeper understanding of the Brikksen part number formula for imperial parts. This understanding will aid you immensely when browsing and purchasing from our extensive product catalog. Understanding Brikksen Part Numbers At Brikksen, every Imperial item follows a specific sequential order. This sequence helps to identify the type of fastener by detailing its drive, head style, type, material, and size. Let me break it down for you with a couple of examples. Example 1: Self-Tapping Screw Take a Phillips type-A self-tapping screw. Its Brikkse ..read more

Calculating thread strength can be one of the trickiest engineering problems to solve. Considering all potential failure points, it can be a difficult and time-consuming process. Common points of failure include fracturing of the male thread, the possibility for thread stripping, and the risk of nut dilation, where the force applied during tightening leads to radial displacement.     It will also depend on where the application is located and the environmental conditions that the material will be exposed to. A long-term, highly corrosive area will need to meet a much higher ..read more

Stainless steel self-drilling and self-tapping screws are both fasteners designed to create their own threads as they are driven into a material. However, there are some critical differences between the hardware.   Self-drilling screws have a drill bit at the tip of the screw, which allows them to drill their own hole as they are driven into the material. This makes them ideal for use in materials that are difficult to drill, such as metal or hard plastics. Self-drilling screws are also known as Tek screws or self-drilling Tek screws.   Self-tapping screws, on the other hand, do not ..read more