Bolts and nuts are the most common form of fasteners that are widely used in different industries and homes. As they are used in almost every place, sometimes failures do occur to them.
At home, a bolting failure is merely a small inconvenience. On the contrary, a similar failure at a nuclear power plant can have disastrous results, which is why nut failure analysis of damaged nuts is so important.
Engineers are occasionally confronted with the problem of nut failures. Taking preventative precautions to avoid this would be a sensible decision on the side of those in charge of a fastener-related project.
It is not an easy process to assess whether nuts can withstand the pressure applied to them, but some criteria must be considered before the application begins. Therefore, It is essential to understand that the durability and reliability of bolted connections are strongly dependent on how a secured joint functions.
However, there are a few factors that directly affect the working of nuts and bolts and they are given below:
Overstressing the nuts
Overstressing, as the term implies, involves applying an unreasonable load to nuts; this is one of the most common reasons for nut breakage. If your nuts are suitably strained, you can be confident that their longevity will improve dramatically.
Nuts fatigue
Nuts rarely last a lifetime and are prone to failure due to fatigue. Their efficiency degrades with prolonged use. Including excess stress, internal or external forces that affect nut failure and strength.
Bolts and nuts must be replaced every several years, primarily due to fatigue. This is especially important while working on projects when stress levels are consistently high.
Nuts corrosion
Nuts are prone to corrosion when exposed to unsuited materials such as oxygen, metals, and even naturally-blending compounds. Bolts and nuts used to secure automotive parts are sensitive to oil and engine leaks, which can cause them to deteriorate over time. Corrosion can also occur in structural, building, and mechanical applications.
Exposure to hydrogen
When exposed to atomic hydrogen, nut metals can become fragile; this is a significant problem to deal with. A few preventive steps, however, can be taken. Overstressing can also lead to hydrogen embrittlement, and because of that, blistering can occur on the bolt’s surface. So, it is vital to safeguard the nuts from excessive tension. If this is not addressed, the nut will decay far faster than its predicted lifetime value indicates.
However, it is critical to ensure that the environment in which the nuts are exposed is free of oxide layer chemicals that cause embrittlement.
Differential Thermal Expansion
If the nuts and the joint are made of different materials, extreme temperature fluctuations caused by sudden environmental changes or cyclic industrial operations can cause the nut material to expand or contract rapidly, potentially loosening the bolt. These are some of the most common factors that affect the functionality of a nut. These aspects should be taken care of to avoid any unfortunate incident. You can garner the best quality bolts and nuts from Bhavya Industries Ludhiana.
