A guide to fasteners for buyers
With so many examples of fasteners out there, how do you know which fastener type and materials is the most cost effective while giving you the performance you need?
This guide is designed to give you an introduction. We’ll offer expert advice on the best fastener for your application. You can also learn more from our Quick Guide to Panel Fasteners.
We recommend that you try before you buy with free samples. You can also download free CADs to help with your design. Whatever you order, you can depend on fast despatch.
Screws
Perfect for:
- Consumer Electronics
- Consumer Appliances
- Data Servers
- HVAC
- Specialist Vehicles
- Retail Displays
Your best bet for securely fastening vital components. When properly applied, high-quality screws ensure that your product is held together through rigorous use. Consider plastic fasteners. They’re lightweight, have good chemical resistance and some can withstand high temperatures. How do you know what size screws to use? Get in touch. From binder machine screws and fillister machine screws to plastic thumb screws in different sizes and materials, we can help.
Screw types: A range of head and drive types to choose from: Countersunk, Binder, Cheese Head, Pan, Fillister, Phillips, Socket Head, Oval, Flat Head, Thumb Screws, Hex Head and Slotted
Material: Material options include Nylon, Heat-Stabilised Nylon, Glass-Filled Nylon, Acetal, Polycarbonate, PEEK®, Nylon/Steel, Carbon Steel and Polyurethane, PPS and RENY suitable for different applications
Specification: A variety of thread sizes available with a wide range of lengths
Natural Nylon Slotted Cheese Machine Screw
- Slotted cheese head machine screw
- Head is not seen
- Cylindrical outer edge
- Pan head machine screw
- Disk style head with chamfered outer edge
Knurled Thumb Screws - Slotted/Plastic
- Nylon plastic knurled head thumb screws
- Easy to apply and fasten
- Ideal for use in restricted spaces
- Ideal fasteners for mechanically securing materials
- Lightweight and resistant to corrosion, oil, abrasion and most chemicals
Socket Head Cap Screws - Plastic Standard Head
- Lightweight socket head cap screw
- Resists corrosion, oil, abrasion and most chemicals
- Enables driving when space is lacking for wrenches or sockets
- Machine parts, die fixturing and clamping
- Used with VG series vibration grommets
Nuts
Perfect for:
- Consumer Electronics
- Consumer Appliances
- Data Servers
- HVAC
- Specialist Vehicles
- Retail Displays
When you’re using bolts, you need the right nuts to keep your product assembled as they should be. Our solutions provide a range of choices, from button thread nuts (also called kwik nuts) and nylon grommet nuts to knurled thumb nuts and plastic wing nuts.
Types of nuts heads: Choose from different types for specialised and standard needs, including Hex Nuts, Dome Nuts (also called Cap Nuts), Wing Nuts, Grommet Nuts and Thumb Nuts
Material: A diverse range of materials for the job at hand, including Nylon, PEEK®, Polycarbonate, PP and Copolyester
Specification: Various thread sizes available with a wide range of lengths and different shapes for easy installation in various applications
- Hex nut with flat sides – easy to tighten and loosen with tool
- Dome nuts (also known as cap nuts) are ideal for covering and protecting a bolt or screw that sits proud of your application
- Kwik nuts (also called jam nuts) press-fits over threaded stud and locks with 180˚ turn
- Thumb nut with knurled grip
- Easy application and quick tightening – no tools required
- Available in conical or standard designs
Wing & Fly Nuts - Plastic Wing Nuts
- Wing nut with thumb tabs provide extra grip for easy turning and securing into position
- Tool-less application
- Flange and lock nut prevents loosening with excellent anti-vibration properties
- Square nut in a spring steel cage
- Suitable for securing hard-to-access areas, e.g., rack and vertical applications found in automated production lines
- Easy to apply and remove without a tool
Rivets & Push Fasteners
Perfect for:
- Automotive
- Retail
- Point of Sale
- Healthcare
- Data Services
Quick fitting fasteners for temporary and permanent applications save valuable time. With quicker application times, your operations can work faster and increase productivity. We can help with rivets that range from plastic push rivets to solid rivets. You’ll also find it helpful to read How to Choose Your Plastic Rivets: A Quick Guide.
Rivets types: Vast number of rivet types available, such as One-Piece and Pre-Driven Push Rivets, Snap Rivets, Snap Lock Rivets, Fir Tree Rivets and Expansion Rivets
Material: Available in LDPE, Nylon, PP, Acetal and more, providing heat stability and UV resistance for different environments
Specification: Options vary, including head diameter, compatible hole diameter and panel thickness solutions
- Snap rivets act as two-part fasteners with teeth that grip together for a quick fastening
- Available with or without a slotted head for extra grip when tightening
- Drive rivets provide snug, secure fit
- Mandrel driven in with hammer to flare out the end of rivet that’s inside the hole
Push-In Rivets - Push-In Fasteners
- Nylon push rivets
- Cost-effective option easily installed by hand
- May also be used as hole plug or as push-in bumpers
- Quarter-turn fasteners join together one fixed and one removable panel
- Preassembled to reduce hardware and cost
- Barbed rivets – also called fir tree rivets – ensure fast and easy installation
- Securely hold different materials, including metal, foam, rubber and plastic
- Removable plastic rivets by pulling pin’s side taps
- Push rivets snap in by hand
- Allow blind side fastening
- Pin and grommet provided separately
- Can be used in round or square hole
Washers
Perfect for:
- Retail & Furniture
- Electrical Assemblies
- Construction
- Data Services
- Automotive
- HVAC
Washers are essential to keep your product held together. Maintain quality by using washers at entry points to distribute the load and stop wear on bolts and screws. Choose from nylon flat washers, sealing washers and so much more. You can also learn more with our guide, When to use Plastic Washers.
Washer types: The different types of washers available include Flat Washers, Lock Washers, Retaining Washers and Shoulder Washers
Material: Plastic and metal washers with unique properties for every application. Your choices include Nylon, Polycarbonate, PVC, PP, Acetal and more
Specification: Inside and outside diameters and thicknesses available for an array of compatible screw sizes
- Flat washer insulates against moisture and electricity
- Resists corrosion, abrasion and most chemicals
- Also provides cushioning and spacing
- Used to eliminate rattles, take up tolerance variables and provide accurate spacing and tension
- May be used singly in parallel, in series or in series parallel for a wide range of deflection and load capacity
- Finishing washers with good insulation properties
- High-quality finish
- Protection against damage
- Impervious to moisture, dirt and most chemicals
- Self-lubricating and resistant to corrosion and abrasion
- Provides strong seal
- Anti-loss lip suitable for pre-assembly
- Resistant to corrosion and many chemicals
What are the properties of plastic fasteners?
Knowing the properties of your plastic fastener is vital to choosing the right solutions for your project. The plastic properties guide below highlights some key plastics and their associated performance indicators. You can also learn more from our Fastener Material Selection Guide.
If you are a design engineer and would like to learn how our fasteners can help your project come to life, read our Design Engineer’s Guide to Fasteners.
For more information about fastener types, materials, applications and industries, check out our Ultimate Guide to Fasteners.
Download free CADs and try before you buy
Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download. You can also request free samples to ensure the solutions you’ve chosen are exactly what you need. If you’re not quite sure which product will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you.
Whatever your requirements, you can depend on fast despatch.
Request your free samples or download free CADs now.
Questions?
Email us at sales@essentracomponents.co.uk or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 0345 528 0474.