How to Select the Right Aircraft Fasteners for Your Aviation Needs

To some, fasteners may appear to be minor components in the grand scheme of aviation engineering, but they undeniably serve a central role in airworthiness and structural integrity. Whether tasked with joining internal systems or external surfaces, the right fastener choice is vital for every aircraft application. In this blog, we will cover the most commonly employed aircraft fastener types and the standards they are held to, helping you understand which factors to consider when purchasing them.

Common Types of Aircraft Fasteners

Bolts

Bolts are widely utilized in airframe assembly and engine structures for their strength under both tensile and shear loads. Designed for permanent or semi-permanent applications, these fasteners typically have a uniform shank with a threaded end to be installed through precision-drilled holes. Afterwards, they are secured using washers or nuts to distribute load and prevent loosening. Some application-specific variants include:

• NAS (National Aerospace Standard) Bolts: These bolts have fine threads and tight tolerances, allowing for superior load-carrying capacity and resistance to vibration in structural joints for wings, landing gear, and engine mounts.
• Lock Bolts: Lock bolts feature a pin and a swaged collar, which lock the fastener in place without the need for a traditional nut. These are commonly used in landing gear assemblies, engine pylons, and wing-to-body connections due to their vibration resistance and strong clamping force.

Screws

Screws are primarily utilized in areas that require adjustability, frequent disassembly, or reliable engagement with soft or thin materials. These fasteners rely on their own threads to securely anchor into the mating surface, providing a tight fit. They are manufactured in a wide variety of styles to meet certain demands for accessibility, torque, and overall installation method, with some subtypes including:

• Machine Screws: These fasteners feature uniform threads and are designed for precise engagement with tapped holes or inserts, commonly used to secure electronic components, panels, and cabin interiors.
• Self-Tapping Screws: Equipped with cutting threads, these screws are able to form their own mating threads in soft materials. They are especially useful for interior panel installation or temporary assemblies where speed and ease of use are prioritized.

Rivets

Rivets are predominantly used in high-stress areas of an aircraft’s skin and substructure. These permanent fasteners do not require threading; instead, they are inserted into pre-drilled holes and deformed during installation to create a secure joint. Their smooth, flush heads also help reduce aerodynamic drag, making them ideal for exterior surfaces of the fuselage, wings, and empennage. Among the many types made, the most popular include:

• Solid Rivets: Solid rivets are industry-standard options for primary aircraft structures, providing unmatched shear strength. These consist of a smooth cylindrical shaft and a pre-formed head, and upon installation, their tail is hammered or pressed into a second head using a bucking bar and rivet gun.
• Blind Rivets: These rivets are designed for applications where access is only available from one side of the joint, finding their use in secondary structures and interior fittings. They are designed with a mandrel that expands the rivet body as it is pulled through for a secure bond.
• CherryMAX Rivets: A proprietary form of blind rivet, these fasteners have a locking collar to provide greater strength and vibration resistance than standard options.

Key Considerations When Choosing Fasteners for Aviation

Though understanding the appropriate uses of certain fastener types is essential, there are a few other points that should be taken into account when procuring for aviation operations.

Quality and Traceability Standards

All aircraft fasteners are required to meet stringent regulatory and manufacturing standards. Manufacturers are typically required to operate under recognized quality management systems like AS9100 or ISO 9001, which establish strict controls over design, production, and inspection processes to guarantee that each fastener performs reliably under the demanding conditions encountered in flight.

Furthermore, any fasteners you purchase must be accompanied by proper documentation. Certificates of Conformance (CoC) verify that the part meets all applicable specifications—including National Aerospace Standards (NAS), military standards (MS), or Aerospace Standards (AS)—while lot traceability records link each fastener back to its production batch, material source, and test data. These documents are vital for ensuring regulatory compliance and compatibility with aircraft maintenance manuals, installation procedures, and service bulletins.

Installation Needs

Aircraft fasteners should be carefully selected to match the operational environment and intended mechanical requirements. For instance, assess the mechanical loads and stress conditions that the fastener will be subjected to, as vibration, shear stress, or torsion require components specifically engineered to handle such forces. Fasteners must also be able to withstand environmental challenges like temperature fluctuations, moisture, and corrosion. Lastly, compatibility with surrounding commercial aircraft components should be considered, as using dissimilar metals without appropriate isolation can result in galvanic corrosion that compromises both the fastener and surrounding structures.

Comprehensive Fastener Solutions for Your Operations

At Commercial Aircraft Parts, we connect customers with high-quality civil aviation fasteners that meet demanding aviation requirements. Our inventory features items from top global manufacturers, and every listing is quality-assured and cataloged with standard part designations for streamlined browsing. Moreover, with competitive pricing and fast lead times, we make it simple for you to swiftly support your operations without compromise. Experience unrivaled service when you initiate procurement on Commercial Aircraft Parts at your convenience.