subject: Metric Fasteners - A Brief Introduction [print this page] While there is not much of a difference in the utility of regular screws and metric fasteners, when it comes to measurement of the two, there is a vast difference. These fasteners are not measured on the basis of threads per inch. Instead they are measured using metric unit, which in effect means that they list the gaps between your threads. This also means that if you make a mistake in measuring the threads, you might end up with a screw that does not fit securely. There are many systems that are used to specify the dimension of a screw, but the metric screw threads have replaced many of the older systems and have now become the preferred system in several parts of the world.
In fact, even the United States is now using metric fasteners extensively. The reasons for this being that these fasteners present superiority with their features like fatigue strength, worldwide availability, sizes and proportions among other attributes. What exactly is a metric system you might wonder? The metric system is essentially a system of measurement that is used in several countries outside of the United States and is used in measurements relating to science and commerce. The metric screw threads are one of the most popularly used screw threads worldwide for general purposes.
Metric fasteners find a wide utility range in various industries right from furniture to aerospace. Most people find it very tedious to carry several different sets of nuts and bolts for a task. Hence it can help if you set up an inventory of metric fasteners to help you sort out your tool kit. Standard and stainless steel fasteners are available in the market today, but make sure you purchase your inventory only from a trusted name because quality matters above everything else.
Depending on what you are looking for, you can choose a wide variety of fastenersright from hex bolts to washers to nuts to machine screws to pins and different kinds of socket products. These days, most of these products can be found online as well. But do make sure that you are ordering from a manufacturer with a solid reputation on the Internet.
Fasteners are usually available in metal and plastic varieties. The plastic fasteners are used in the not so heavy-duty applications whereas the metal fasteners are useful in hardwearing conditions. Among the various kinds of metal fasteners available in the market today, the stainless steel ones are favored. That is mainly because they have a high tensile strength; they are corrosion-proof and offer more durability. Moreover, they can perform consistently in extremely high as well as extremely low temperatures.
It is hard to imagine our world without metric fasteners performing a crucial role in it. All the same, it is very important that you rely on professional advice to select the right kind of fasteners for your machinery or objects.