If you’re a boatie, you already know: stainless is non-negotiable. You wouldn’t trust your hull to mild steel, so why trust your hardware?

What exactly goes into making this ultra-tough steel?

If you’ve ever snapped a cheap bolt in half and stared at it in frustration, wondering why it failed, chances are you weren’t using 12.9 grade steel. Learn more about Grade 12.9 fasteners in this article.

Discover top-quality nuts, bolts, and fasteners with Bolt-In Co, the Sunshine Coast’s trusted supplier. Get the right fastener for the job—because solid work starts with the best hardware!

In this article, we take a look at the considerations when comparing two fundamentally different types of bolts - namely, 12.9 grade alloy steel fasteners and stainless steel fasteners.

How to Organise a Custom Wire Rope Balustrade Solution with Bolt-In Co Sunshine Coast Are you looking to enhance a property with a sleek, modern wire rope balustrade solution, custom-made for your project so you all you need to worry about is the installation? Bolt-In Co is here to make the process easy. We specialise in stainless steel wire rope balustrade solutions that provide safety, style, and durability. Here’s what’s involved when you organise a custom balustrade solution with Bolt-In Co Sunshine Coast.

An important note: Wire rope balustrades are a fabulous indoor / outdoor option to create an effective and stylish balustrade solution. We sell only high quality products which are in a stainless steel grade suitable for coastal applications, and engineered to last.

Like other building products, you can avoid many problems simply by shopping with a supplier dedicated to quality products and results! For custom balustrade solutions on the Sunshine Coast, that’s Bolt-In Co!

How to Organise a Custom Wire Rope Balustrade Solution with Bolt-In Co:

1. Measure up Your Job First, you’ll need to know the details about your wire rope lengths. We cut these to size for you, so you will need to know:

a. How long your wire rope runs are between each terminating post.
b. How many of each run you will need taking into account legislative requirements.

*Internal wire rope installation by Pizzica Properties PTY LTD

2. What type of Wire Rope will you use?

The next question to answer is what type of wire rope you would like to use in your project. Wire rope comes in a variety of thicknesses and different ropes have different price points. You can review our wire rope options here, or if you’re not sure about this, just ask our team and we can guide you towards the right type of wire rope for your balustrade project. Typically all wire rope balustrades for residential applications are 3.2mm diameter.

*External wire rope installation by Swan Built Carpentry Sunshine Coast

3. What type of fittings will you use?

Fittings are essential to create the connections between your wire ropes and posts. There are a variety of fittings available – check out this website page for more information on our fittings. Alternatively, ask our team and we can guide you towards the fittings you will need for your project.

4. Swaging

*Bolt-In Co Sunshine Coast Swaging Press

Swaging is the process of attaching the wire rope to the fittings. This creates a permanent bond of sufficient strength to endure the tension of the installed wire rope. There are two ways to approach swaging – we can do it for you, or, if you are purchasing wire rope from Bolt-In Co, we also hire swaging presses if you’d like to take care of your own swaging.

5. Get a Quote

A fastener is only as good as its thread.. if you work with fasteners it won't be long before you experience the not so wonderful situation of encountering a stripped thread. Depending on what you're working on, the implications could be minor, or they could be the beginning of a prolonged 4 hour dismantling operation to resolve the problem.

Either way, stripped threads are nobody's idea of a good time. In this article with Bolt-In Co Sunshine Coast, we take a look at common causes and solutions for stripped threads. If you're looking for high quality fasteners in Australia, contact us for more information. We ship Australia-wide and we stock quality fasteners at reasonable prices!

What is a Stripped Thread?

Before we take a look at the common causes and solutions, it might be helpful to clarify what we're talking about in regards to stripped threads. Read ahead if you're already up to speed! A fastener (such as a bolt) has an external thread, which matches to the internal grooves on its matching fastening component which may be a nut or a threaded hole. 

The job of the external threads is to slide into the matching internal threads in the female component to create the fastening connection.

A stripped thread is a type of fastener failure. When the threads (external or internal) in the nut / threaded hole or bolt become damaged. Damaged threads can result in a few different outcomes, none of which are desirable. 

A Useless but Interesting Fact

Have you ever wondered when the first threaded fasteners were invented? They came into being during the Middle Ages, but were hand-forged and with no consistency in design standards. Still, a pretty good job by the old-school blacksmiths! It wasn't until the Industrial Revolution began, in the mid 1800's, that machine-made fasteners of a consistent standard were produced.

Problems Caused by Stripped Threads

Some of the problems caused by stripped threads include:

1. Reduction in holding power

Without the proper grip, fasteners are reduced in their ability to fasten - which can compromise the structural integrity of the assembly. 

2. Difficulty Removing or Reinstalling

A stripped thread can result in fasteners locking up, making them difficult or impossible to remove. If removal is successful, reusing the fastener is likely not an option due to the damaged thread. 

Stripped threads are frustrating and time consuming to resolve. At Bolt-In Co, we believe they should be avoided at any cost!

Common Causes of Stripped Threads

There are quite a few reasons why threads may be stripped. Here are some of the common ones we encounter:

1. Poor Quality Fasteners

If you buy cheap, you get cheap. Poor quality fasteners can be inadequate for the task at hand - or any task for that matter. We strongly recommend using good quality fasteners. We stock a wide range of good quality fasteners at reasonable prices - contact us for more information.

2. Over-Tightening

Over-tightening fasteners can damage the thread. This is usually due to the thread being sheared off due to excessive torque. 

3. Cross-Threading

In the event the nut and bolt aren't properly aligned, cross threading can occur - when the fastener is tightened at the incorrect angle, damaging the thread. 

4. Thread Mismatch

Using the correct nut with its matching bolt is essential to get a good outcome. Mixing and matching nuts and bolts can lead to thread damage. 

5. Dirt or Debris

If fasteners aren't clear of dirt and debris, this can cause damage to threads which you need to recall are precision-manufactured to function properly. 

6. Fastener Fatigue

Over time, multiple repetitions of fastening and unfastening can cause wear and tear on threads. Again, this will depend on the quality of the fasteners being used in the first place, and whether they are of sufficient quality for the application. 

Solutions for Stripped Threads

There are a variety of solutions for situations where a thread has been stripped. The applicability of the solution depends on the individual situation and whether it is a nut or threaded hole. Solutions will need to be assessed by a professional to understand whether sufficiency for mechanical requirements. Examples of solutions for stripped threads include options such as:

1. Drill & Tap

Drilling and tapping the hole to go up in size to a larger fastener. 

2. Helicoil

Helicoil is a threaded wire insert that forms a new integration by expanding as the fastener is tightened. Unlike drilling and tapping, using a helicoil does not require increasing the hole size.

3. Thread Repair Kit

A thread repair kit may be used to create new threads and make the repair with the original fastener.

4. Epoxy / Filler

For low-torque applications, using epoxy to recreate internal threads. 

5. Replacement

In a nut/bolt scenario, a stripped thread can best be resolved by replacing the components if possible. 

In Conclusion

Whether you’re a professional builder or a D.I.Y enthusiast, if you’ve ever built something, you will know the essential role of fasteners in any construction project. You will also be aware of the detrimental consequences of corrosion on steel elements outdoors. Outdoor steel elements, including fasteners, are faced with corrosion due to elemental conditions such as rain, dirt, bacteria or even electrical current. Corrosion is a long-term problem that will eat away at the integrity of your fasteners, and subsequently the integrity of your structure. When undertaking a project, it is essential to select fasteners that are suitable for the environment they will be functioning in. For fasteners on the Sunshine Coast, drop into Bolt-In Co at Wises Road for all of your nuts and bolts needs. We also ship Australia-wide, and offer great prices on a wide range of high quality components. 

Different Types of Outdoor Fasteners

Fasteners are hardware designed for joining (or fastening) two or more items together. Common examples of outdoor fasteners include nuts, bolts, hooks, brackets, clamps, nuts, washers, rivets bolts, anchors, screws, and nails.

Corrosion on the Sunshine Coast

Corrosion is a natural process which causes the deterioration of metal, generally due to exposure to a various range of elements. One of these is moisture, and another is salt. In a coastal area such as the Sunshine Coast, the outdoor environment is highly corrosive due to high humidity (moisture), rainfall, and south-easterly winds blowing salt-laden air inland. The closer you are to the beach, the greater the amplification of these conditions. 

How to Stop Your Outdoor Fasteners Corroding

The key to preventing your outdoor fasteners corroding is awareness of the issue and purchasing a suitable grade of steel for the project - for example, a grade with corrosive resistance. The recommended standard for residential construction of corrosion resistant grade is SS316 steel, a combination of materials that is granted its resistant properties from the inclusion of the molybdenum alloy. In comparison with other grades of stainless steel, SS316 has a stronger resistance to corrosion. While 316 steel is one of the strongest and most resistant materials, the
appropriate maintenance must be applied in conjunction to avoid corrosion on outdoor appliances.

Practicing Maintenance on Your Outdoor Fasteners

The next best thing in addition to selecting an appropriate grade of steel for your fasteners, is the practice of longevity. Practicing maintenance and cleaning your fasteners is important to monitor the integrity of your structure over the long term. An affective way of preventing your steel from corroding is the use of insulation or a protective coating. A protective coat could include simply painting your outdoor fasteners. Cleaning your stainless steel is essential to remove the build-up of salts and grime that will kick off corrosion on your fasteners.

In Conclusion

Having looked at corrosion and its consequences, its clear that corrosion resistant steel is the primary component to prevention. Here in Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast our local team of experts have the ability to provide you with the highest quality fasteners, for the best price. Come visit us on Wises Rd at Bolt-In.co Sunshine Coast!

Steel fasteners come in a variety of materials, shapes, sizes and costs. Understanding their mechanical properties is useful to determine the best fastener for a specific application. We think it's an interesting topic, and we hope you do too. At Bolt-In Co on the Sunshine Coast, we have a large range of high-tensile, stainless steel and galvanised fasteners. Join us for this brief review of the the mechanical properties of fasteners, and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any related enquiries.

Tensile Strength

Tensile strength is an important property to begin with. It refers to the maximum amount of stress that can be withstood by a fastener before failure when axial tension is applied. This refers to the type of tension where the fastener is pulled in two opposite directions along its length. The tensile strength is how much tension it can take before it breaks. Tensile strength is measured in PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) or Mpa (Megapascals), depending on where you are in the world. To get an idea of the forces at work, a low strength plastic fastener may have a tensile strength of only 1,000 to 5,000 psi. A high-tensile grade 12.9 fastener (exceptionally strong) may have a tensile strength of up to 180,000 psi.

Yield Strength

Whereas tensile strength (above) refers to the maximum stress or load a material can withstand before breaking (when subjected to axial tension), yield strength measures the amount of stress that the fastener will tolerate before it permanently deforms to a specific degree. Deformation has two stages: elastic (the fastener will return to its original shape after the load is removed) or plastic (permanently changed). Yield strength indicates the load limit before plastic deformation occurs. Like tensile strength, yield strength is measured in psi or mpa. Yield strength may range from 100 psi (plastics, rubbers) to 150,000 psi for some advanced steel alloys.

Shear Strength

Shear strength is another important mechanical property of fasteners. It refers to the maximum amount of stress a fastener can withstand when subjected to oppositional parallel forces applied to the cross-sectional area of the fastener. The shear strength is calculated by dividing the force at which the fastener fails by the cross-sectional area of the fastener being tested. Shear strength may range from 100psi (plastics, rubbers) to 50,000 psi or higher for high-strength steel allows used in structural and automotive applications.

Hardness

Fastener hardness is measured with a variety of different tests, such as Rockwell Hardness Testing, Brinell Hardness Testing, Vickers Hardness Testing and others. You would think hardness would always be useful, but too much hardness isn't always a good thing. Materials that are too hard may be brittle, whereas materials that are too soft may lack the required strength. Like all things with fasteners, it's about an optimal compromise between properties, applications, costs and codes. 

Fatigue Strength

Fatigue strength is used to measure the performance of fasteners under repeated loading and unloading cycles. In this case, the test is concerned with understanding how well the bolt will do in applications of variable stress. Examples include fasteners for aircraft or automobiles. In fatigue strength testing, loads are applied, removed and re-applied in a controlled manner to create a fatigue curve, expressing the applied stress and the number of cycles to communicate the fatigue strength of the fastener.

Ductility

Ductility is used to describe the ability of a bolt to undergo plastic deformation without fracturing - in other words, how much a bolt can deform plastically when subjected to tensile loads. Ductility is expressed as a percentage of elongation or reduction in the area of the material being tested. This is different to yield strength (above) which measures the amount of load a fastener can take before it undergoes plastic deformation.

Corrosion Resistance

Corrosion resistance is an important consideration when assessing fasteners. We're located on the Sunshine Coast which includes marine environments where the ability of nuts and bolts to withstand corrosion is vital. Various coatings and materials can enhance a bolt's resistance to corrosion. For example, stainless steel 316 has a high degree of corrosion resistance, making it suitable for marine applications.

Modulus of Elasticity

The modulus of elasticity (Young's Modulus) measures a fastener's stiffness or ability to deform elastically in response to an applied stress.

Environmental Resistance

Some fasteners are designed to withstand extreme environmental conditions, such as high or low temperatures, exposure to chemicals, or UV radiation.

Torsional Strength

Torsional strength is the ability of a fastener to resist twisting forces without deforming or breaking. This property is essential for threaded fasteners like bolts and screws.

Vibration Resistance

Fasteners used in applications prone to vibration should have the ability to resist loosening or self-loosening over time.

Ease of Installation

Ease of installation includes properties like thread engagement and the availability of self-locking features to prevent loosening under load. 

What's the Most Important Mechanical Property if a Steel Bolt?

The mechanical properties of fasteners create a composite picture of the capabilities of a given fastener. The most important mechanical property is the one required for the application.  For example, high tensile strength may not be as relevant in carpentry as it is in aircraft or automobile manufacture.

For assistance with your nuts and bolts on the Sunshine Coast QLD, please contact our team for more information and assistance with high-tensile, stainless steel, and galvanised fasteners.