Nuts and bolts find application in building necessary equipment for daily use. Bolt failure can occur for numerous reasons, but the most common causes include excessive loading, improper installation, and poor material selection.
Excessive loading
Excessive loading causes stress on the bolt, more than its bearing capacity, and it eventually fails. It can happen due to improper sizing of the bolt for the load it is supporting, or if the load itself is too great for the bolt to handle. Additionally, the lack of proper tightening of the bolt during installation may not be able to withstand the forces it is subjected to, leading to failure.
Improper installation
Improper installation is another common cause of bolt failure. Failure to tighten the bolt to the appropriate torque results in an uneven distribution of the load it is supporting. This may cause the bolt to experience excessive stress and eventually fail. Furthermore, if a bolt is not properly aligned with the other components it is connecting, it may be unable to distribute the load adequately, failing.
Poor material selection
Poor material selection can also lead to bolt failure. Different materials have different strengths and weaknesses, and choosing the wrong material for a particular application can fail. For example, employing a bolt made of a soft, low-strength material in a high-stress application is likely to fail.
Corrosion can weaken the material and lead to failure. This phenomenon is common in damp environments, where moisture can accelerate the corrosion process.
To prevent corrosion-related bolt failure, it is important to use corrosion-resistant materials, such as stainless steel, and to regularly inspect and maintain bolts to ensure they are in good condition.
Fatigue
Fatigue is another possible reason for bolt failure. Repeated loading and unloading of a bolt can lead to fatigue, which weakens the material and eventually causes failure.
It is a common issue in applications where bolts are subjected to cyclic loadings, such as in rotating machinery or vibrating structures. To prevent fatigue-related bolt failure, it is important to choose materials that are resistant to fatigue and to design the bolt for the specific loads it will be subjected to.
Sudden impact loading causes bolts to fail, even if they are adequately sized and installed. It is a common occurrence if a bolt is struck by a falling object, for example, or if it is subjected to a sudden shock load.
To prevent impact-related bolt failure, it is predominant to design the bolt and its surrounding structure to withstand sudden loads and to regularly inspect the bolt and surrounding components for signs of damage.
Conclusion
In summary, bolt failure can occur for numerous reasons, including excessive loading, improper installation, and poor material selection. It is important to carefully consider these factors when designing and installing bolts to ensure that they can withstand the loads they are subjected to. Bhavya Industries is one of the leading fastener manufacturing units, Ludhiana. We serve high-quality nuts and bolts to different industries, including automotive, machinery production, agriculture, and gym equipment manufacturing. We’ve been manufacturing fasteners for the past 25 years and are the best fastener supplier in the UK and Europe.
