Bolts and nuts are among the most commonly used fasteners in everyday life. From furniture assembly to bridge construction and aerospace engineering, they play an indispensable role. Due to their excellent strength, toughness, and wear resistance, metal materials have become the primary choice for manufacturing bolts and nuts.
Carbon steel is the most widely used material. Based on carbon content and heat treatment processes, carbon steel bolts are classified into different strength grades, such as 4.8, 8.8, 10.9, and 12.9.
Low-carbon steel (e.g., Q235, A36) offers lower strength (below grade 4.8) and is commonly used for general fastening applications like furniture and construction brackets.
Medium-carbon steel or alloy steel (e.g., 45# steel, 40Cr, 35CrMo) can achieve higher strength levels (8.8–12.9) after quenching and tempering, making them suitable for high-load applications such as automobiles, bridges, and heavy machinery.
Carbon steel is cost-effective and easy to process, making it a go-to material in many general-use scenarios.
To meet the demands of more complex or harsh environments, alloy elements such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and manganese are added to carbon steel to form alloy steel. Bolts and nuts made from alloy steel are widely used in heavy-duty and high-impact industries.
In addition to ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals like brass and aluminum alloys are also used in bolt and nut production. These materials provide excellent corrosion resistance:
Brass bolts and nuts are often used in electrical panels, motors, and terminal connections due to their conductivity and resistance to rust.
Aluminum alloy fasteners help reduce equipment weight and improve overall performance, making them a popular choice in aerospace, automotive, and other weight-sensitive applications.
If you're an industrial project manager, equipment manufacturer, or import/export trader, understanding the material differences of fasteners can help you make smarter, more cost-effective decisions.
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