Aerospace Studs : A Breakdown
Studs and other fasteners are crucial in any application to ensure that important pieces and components are held together during operation. In the high-stakes aerospace, aviation, and defense industries, where fasteners are subject to extreme conditions at high altitudes, they are that much more important. Before looking at studs, it’s important to understand fasteners as a whole. All studs are fasteners, but not all fasteners are studs. In addition to studs, fasteners refer to bolts, screws, nuts, and rivets. The singular purpose of fasteners is to join parts together. Fasteners are not intended to position aircraft parts relative to another, or to operate similarly to axles, pivots, or fulcrums.
All aerospace fasteners have this same basic application. The differences among aerospace fasteners are not related to how they are used but rather to how they function. For instance, screws are externally threaded fasteners that thread into any material they will hold, while bolts are fasteners made to match an exact thread specification so they can accept a non-tapered nut. A stud is essentially the combination of a bolt and screw. One part of the stud functions as a bolt while the other functions as a screw.
Aerospace studs are found in a myriad of heavy-duty applications ranging from propulsion systems to helicopters. Studs do not rotate during tightening, the nut is tightened instead. This makes it easier for studs to achieve very accurate torque values and reduces the chances of the main cap shifting around during operation. Another result of this is that studs cause less wear and tear to the block’s threads and therefore extend the service life of the block.
Types of Studs
There are four primary types of aerospace studs found in aircraft structural applications: coarse thread, fine thread, lockring studs, and stepped studs. Stepped studs feature different thread types on each end of the stud, hence its name. Fine thread, lockring, and coarse thread studs have identical threads on either end of the piece. Depending on the configuration, a stud is either drilled or undrilled at the nut end.
Fine thread studs and coarse studs alike are made from alloy steel and must be heat treated. Heat treatment refers to a number of processes used to alter the physical (and sometimes chemical) characteristics and properties of a material, in this case alloy. This can involve either extreme heating or cooling to achieve the desired result, usually either the softening or hardening of a material. The AS7481 stud is an example of a heat treated stud used in aerospace propulsion system applications. It is popular for this application due to its resistance to both creep and stress rupture. This type of stud is heat treated after the threads are rolled to ensure their sturdiness.
Lockring studs are a specific stud featuring a lockring that prevents it from failing due to stress, extreme vibration, or sudden and drastic changes in temperature. These are very commonly used in engine and helicopter assemblies where they equip components with the proper assembly grips and threads. They also aid in preventing structural damage during assembly or repair.
Whatever type of aerospace fastener you need, Accelerating RFQs can provide it. We’re always available and ready to help you find all the parts and equipment you need, 24/7-365. For a quick and competitive quote, email us at sales@acceleratingrfqs.com or call us at +1-714-705-4780. Our team of dedicated account managers is standing by and will respond to you in 15 minutes or less.