Top 5 Applications Of Flange Bolts
As its name suggests, a flange bolt is a fastener that features a skirt extending outwards from the head in a 360 degrees angle. While the ridge or skirt surrounding their heads makes them easily identifiable, it is necessary to mention that the design serves a greater purpose, namely to ensure the even distribution of force across a greater surface. Flange bolts are capable of providing the same bonding power as a washer, although in some applications they can be employed along with regular bolts paired with washers. Available in a wide range of materials, including anodized aluminum and zinc chromate, flange bolts are commonly found in the following applications.
- Mechanics
To ensure a reliable, long-lasting connection between two sections of a large and enclosed area you will need to use a flange bolt. The best example in this case is the connection between the transmission and the engine in a vehicle. Both the engine and the transmission feature several moving parts that can easily get damaged when small objects, debris or dust gets inside. The role of the flange bolt in this case is to secure the outer casing protecting the engine and transmission.
A further common application of the flange bolts in the automotive industry consists of the car's exhaust. Replacing the traditional bolt and washer with flange bolts and springs for a vehicle's exhaust guarantees an improve strength and better reliability.
- Plumbing
When trying to connect two pipes together, plumbers have numerous options at their disposal. Without denying the efficiency of welding or soldering the ducts together, let's not forget that cylinders fastened via either of the methods are more susceptible to bursting when exposed to high pressure. A safer way of connecting pipelines together implies securing their ends with flanged bolts. This way, plumbers can be sure the pipes will hold, regardless of the types of gas or liquid inside the ducts.
- Electronics
Granted, the fasteners found in electronic devices are not designed to sustain high pressure. Then again, they still have to hold the small components inside tightly to prevent particles from getting in the device and damaging sensitive parts. As you probably guessed, these types of flange bolts are significantly smaller than the ones used for connecting pipelines or the fasteners employed in the automotive industry. If you're curious about how they look like, then check out a camera: the small fastener that connects the body of the camera to the glass of the lens is a flange bolt.
- Hard-to-reach applications
Whenever you're forced to work in cramped, difficult-to-access and dark location, then you want to use as few tools and materials as possible. Flange bolts can save you a lot of headaches and time in these circumstances. For instance, using flange bolts when installing a second-story deck spares you the hassle of handling small regular bolts and washers, while still trying to use your tools properly at the same time.
- Large-scale applications
Long flange bolts and particularly the ones that measure 30 cm in length are typically used in large-scale mechanical applications. Similar to other types of flange bolts, these elongated fasteners are available in a wide range of shaft diameters and can be employed in the construction of oilrigs, energy plants, manufacturing plants, large automobiles and ships.
About the Author
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.
