Understanding Aerospace and Aircraft Fastener Types

In aerospace and aviation, even the smallest components bear heavy responsibility. This is especially true for aviation and aerospace fasteners, which serve to create secure joints between structural parts and complex assemblies. In this blog, we will discuss some of the many aerospace fastener types available and how they function, giving you valuable insight into how to best select them for high-stakes operations.

Requirements for Fasteners Used in Aircraft and Spacecraft

Due to the demanding conditions of flight and space travel, where even the slightest defect can compromise functionality, fasteners must deliver an ideal balance of tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and thermal stability while keeping weight to a minimum. As such, materials like titanium, stainless steel, and aluminum alloys are the most common in fastener construction.

Beyond these basic specifications, aerospace fasteners must comply with performance and design standards governed by regulatory agencies like the FAA and NASA, along with organizations like SAE International and the Department of Defense. To further guarantee standardization and interchangeability, aerospace fastener manufacturers produce components in line with established specifications like NAS (National Aerospace Standards), MS (Military Standards), and AS (Aerospace Standards), which dictate precise material compositions, dimensional tolerances, and performance criteria.

Standard Aviation and Aerospace Fastener Types

Bolts

Bolts are capable of withstanding immense tensile and shear forces, these fasteners often being present in the primary structural framework of aircraft, such as securing the wing spar to the fuselage or connecting landing gear supports. Meanwhile, in spacecraft, bolts are regularly used to join modular structures, support equipment racks, and secure propulsion system elements where high clamping force is vital. Their effectiveness is enhanced when paired with nuts and washers to secure their hold in high-vibration environments.

These fasteners boast many subtle variations in thread pitch, grip length, head design, treatment, and beyond to meet specific needs. They also tend to be precision-machined to exhibit fine tolerances and may boast cold working fabrication or anodized coatings to improve fatigue resistance and corrosion protection.

Rivets

Rivets are installed by deforming one end of the shank after insertion, providing valuable permanent and vibration-resistant fastening capabilities. In commercial and military aircraft, rivets are used for joining skin panels, internal ribs, and wing structures to provide long-lasting bonds without unnecessary bulk. Meanwhile, in spacecraft, rivets are reliable in high-vacuum conditions like pressure vessel shells and secondary structural panels where welding is impractical. Some of the most common rivet types include:

• Solid Rivets: These are the most traditional and robust variant, requiring access to both sides of the assembly for installation.
• Blind Rivets: Blind rivets are ideal for areas where only one side of the assembly is accessible, such as interior aircraft components, satellite housing panels, and maintenance access areas.
• Cherry Rivets: These high-strength blind rivets are widely used in modern aircraft, particularly in pressure cabins and wing fairings, as they offer a consistent, vibration-resistant hold with minimal risk of cracking.

Screws

Screws are versatile fasteners used in lighter structural applications and interior assemblies where removability and low-profile design are advantageous, such as fairings, electrical access panels, avionics covers, and cabin interiors. In spacecraft particularly, screws are preferred in payload bay equipment, insulation covers, and modular panel assemblies that may need to be accessed or reconfigured. Notable subtypes include:

• Machine Screws: Used in precise applications such as securing flight instruments or control systems, machine screws offer high thread integrity and load distribution.
• Sheet Metal Screws: Designed to grip into thin sheet materials, these screws are often used in aircraft interior panels and ductwork assemblies.
• Hi-Lok Screws: A hybrid of a bolt and a rivet, Hi-Lok fasteners offer controlled torque and consistent preload, making them ideal for tightly regulated structural connections.

Locking Fasteners

Vibration is a significant concern in aerospace environments, which is why locking fastener variants are specifically engineered to resist loosening under stress, thermal cycling, and repeated dynamic loading. Locking fasteners are typically used in rotating aviation systems like engine mounts, turbine casings, and landing gear struts, while spacecraft employ them to secure satellite solar array mounts, instrument booms, and high-precision payload structures where re-tightening is not feasible. Some variations of these fasteners are:

• Locking Nuts and Washers: These nuts and washers utilize nylon inserts, deformed threads, or tensioning mechanisms to maintain torque in structures like aircraft control surfaces and helicopter rotor mounts.
• Self-Locking Bolts: Featuring pre-applied locking compounds or integrated locking threads, these bolts are commonly found in engine nacelles and actuation systems.
• Thread-Locking Inserts: Often installed in softer metals like aluminum, these inserts provide durable threaded holes for repeated screw and bolt engagement. They are especially useful in modular spacecraft components where threads are frequently reused.

Find Premium Fasteners at Aero Hardware World

At Aero Hardware World, an ASAP Semiconductor website, we specialize in connecting customers around the world with premium aircraft and aerospace fasteners that meet high expectations for performance. We stock a vast range of components in accordance with NAS, MS, AS, and BAC standards, ensuring compatibility with various aerospace systems and assemblies. Furthermore, with our commitment to quality assurance, competitive pricing, and timely delivery, we are positioned to be your reliable sourcing partner for critical fastener requirements.