In 2020, the global industrial fasteners market was valued at $86.12 billion and continues to grow. This incorporates plastic and metal fasteners like bolts and means people will continuously require these materials to construct mechanical devices, infrastructure, and buildings.
Bolts are in almost everything you see today. They make creating your home possible, as well as bridges and streets. Perhaps you didn’t know there are a diverse amount of bolts in use today and asked: “what types of bolts are there?”
Read on to learn more about it!
What Are Bolts?
Like screws, bolts are fasteners designed with threads that work with nuts to conjoin materials utilizing torque. Many require nuts to function correctly. Bolts are placed into pre-drilled holes and need a nut to tighten without damage.
What Are the Different Types of Bolts?
Bolts come in various sizes and types and fulfill various purposes. Here is a list of common types of bolts:
- Anchor
- Carriage
- Hex
- Elevator
- Lag
- J
- Arbor
Anchor Bolts
This type of bolt is placed as part of the base foundation of a structure. So, when pouring cement to create a structure, the anchor bolt will go along with it. From there, a platform goes on top of the bolt, tightening it with a nut.
For example, if you drive or go on walks and look at traffic light poles, you’ll spot anchor bolts at work. They’ll be at the base of the poles, holding the structure to the cement.
Carriage Bolts
Carriage bolts have a rounded head and fewer threads (half of it is usually threaded). These bolts are used in railroad, water treatment, and mining industries, making them excellent for connecting wood and metal.
Hex Bolts
The most common types of bolts, hexes are important for many projects. They can tighten wood to wood, steel to wood, and has more uses. Hex bolts can be found in constructions such as docks, highway infrastructure, and buildings.
For more information, you can view this hex head. Hex bolts can come in imperial and metric measurements. They come in different shapes like hammered heads, diamond heads, and smooth heads.
The Different Types of Materials that Make Bolts
Bolts are mainly created with steel because of how strong and affordable they are but can come in various materials. Sometimes, they come in different metals depending on what projects they’re used for.
Here is a quick list of the different types of materials:
- Aluminum
- Stainless Steel
- Brass
- Titanium
- Bronze
Learn More
There are many types of bolts used for different situations. The most common are hex bolts, anchor bolts, and carriage bolts.
They’re also created from various materials such as steel, aluminum, titanium, etc. Steel bolts are more prevalent as they are strong and inexpensive. Additionally, the best bolts depend on the budget and what projects need doing.
If you learned more about bolts from this post, take a look at more helpful tips in the news section.