Nut | Types and Material Selection [Explained in Detail]

Nuts are internally threaded fasteners. They have internal tapping. They are generally meant to be used with bolts. Together nut and bolt is used to assemble mechanical parts.

Bolt is a male part and nut is a female part. Nuts are generally made of metals.

Types of nuts

There are basically two types of nuts

1. Locking nuts (or Locknuts)
2. Non-locking nuts

Locking nuts are a special type of nuts with resists loosening under vibrations and torque. Opposite to locking nuts, non-locking nuts do not resist loosening under torque and vibrations.

Types of locking nuts

Below are some common types of locknuts

• Castle nut
• Flange nut
• Insert nut
• Jam nut
• Jet nut
• Keps nut
• Nylon insert nut
• Speed nut
• Palnut
• Split beam nut
• Tee nut

Types of non-locking nuts

Below are some common types of non-locking nuts

• Clip-on nut
• Lug nut
• Lug nut
• Lug nut
• Washer nut
• Self-clinching nut
• Square nut
• Round nut
• Push nut
• Hex nut
• Handle nut
• Handle nut
• Coupling nut
• Cage nut
• Barrel nut
• Anchor nut
• Acorn nut

Selection of Nut material

Following types of materials are most commonly used in the manufacturing of nuts.

• Titanium nuts: They are hard, strong and corrosion resistant. They are light weight.
• Stainless steel nuts: They are chemical and corrosion resistant. They have an appealing finish.
• Steel nuts: They are produced of strong, carbonated iron. Uncoated steel is vulnerable to corrosion.
• Rubber nuts: They are used in specialty applications requiring vibration and noise dampening.
• Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nuts: They have less creep and better strength than other fluoropolymers. They are susceptible to high temperatures.
• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nuts: They are inert and resistant to chemicals. They are flexible, smooth, and non-toxic.
• Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nuts: They have durability and low friction.
• Plastic nuts: They are inexpensive and corrosion resistant for light loads.
• Nylon nuts: They are made of a tough and resistant to corrosion.
• Fiber-reinforced plastic nuts: They use industrial fabric reinforced urethanes. They are wear resistant.
• Copper alloy nuts: They have good load capacity, wear resistance, and are suitable for dynamic loads.
• Brass nuts: They are strong, conductive and corrosion resistant.
• Aluminum nuts: They are resistant to oxidation. They are thermal and electrical conducive. They are light and easy to manufacture.

Image Source:

Featured image source: By MH – w:Image:Nut-hardware.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58798