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There are 3 properties that contribute to the purpose of a Building Fastener such as Deckfast Deck Screws, Line Fasteners or Tek Screws and what project it should be used for.  The three properties that give the fastener its abilities are: Physical properties Performance properties Mechanical properties Physical Properties The physical properties are those that […]

There are 3 properties that contribute to the purpose of a Building Fastener such as Deckfast Deck Screws, Line Fasteners or Tek Screws and what project it should be used for.  The three properties that give the fastener its abilities are:

  • Physical properties
  • Performance properties
  • Mechanical properties

Physical Properties
The physical properties are those that are unchanged or can only be altered slightly because they are natural in the raw material.  After manufacturing they are almost or exactly the same as in the original material.  Some of these qualities that are inherent in the raw material include: thermal conductivity, thermal expansion, magnetic susceptibility, density, and electrical resistivity.  They often contribute to fastener material selection and are all important factors.
Performance Properties
Performance properties are those that are built into the manufacturing of the fastener and are part of the functional design.  They are built in so as to gratify any requirements of the service application. By manipulating the manufacturing control of the product, the fastener gains characteristics like prevailing-torque, driving torque, sealing, and locking ability. Magnitude is influenced by choice of materials, as well as metallurgical treatment.  The performance properties are varied and change according to the needs of the fastener as determined by the design engineer.
Mechanical Properties
The reaction of a fastener to applied loads identified by the mechanical properties.  These are not usually the same as those of the raw properties that the fastener is made of.  Raw properties, like ductility and hardness are likely to change with the metallurgical treatments and manufacturing methods that are used.  Other mechanical properties include tensile strength, proof load, sheer strength, toughness, torsional strength, fatigue strength, and yield strength.  The post-treatment process and manufacturing determine the mechanical properties of a fastener.
These three properties contribute towards the cost of fasteners and the purpose.  When the three properties are combined they can also affect how the fastener can be used, the abilities, and they types of projects that it is suited for.  These are the factors that design engineers consider when they are making a fastener that is suitable for a specific need and purpose.

About the Author

Larry Melone
By Larry Melone
President

Started my career in the fastener world in 1969 at, Parker Kalon Corp. a NJ based screw manufacturer located in Clifton, NJ working in inventory control, scheduling secondary production and concluding there in purchasing. In 1971 I accepted a sales position at Star Stainless Screw Co., Totowa, NJ working in inside sales and later as an outside salesman, having a successful career at Star I had the desire with a friend to start our own fastener distribution company in 1980 named: Divspec, Kenilworth, NJ. This was a successful adventure but ended in 1985 with me starting Melfast in August 1985 and have stayed competitive and successful to date. Melfast serves the OEM market with approximately 400 accounts nationally.

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