FOCUS ON FASTENERS
PEM ® SFN™ spinning flare nuts are designed to eliminate all loose fasteners in thin metal sheet attachment applications .
Organic coatings include dry paint films or the subsequent oil treatment of products . Pigmented oil films have proved both versatile and capable of self-healing . Zinc-rich coatings have proved useful where a sacrificial layer is required for use against other metals , such as aluminium or magnesium , to protect against galvanic corrosion .
The demand for industrial fastening solutions is driven by tremendous manufacturing and construction growth in countries such as India and China
a wide range of such mechanisms are now available . Screws differ from bolts as they have the capability to be used in a threaded hole without a nut .
The most commonly identified nonthreaded fasteners are nails , tacks , studs , staples , rivets and washers . Nails and tacks are some of the simplest mass-produced fasteners , with little opportunity for product differentiation . Even so , a wide variety of materials are used in their production depending upon the required tensile strength and corrosive resistance of the finished item . Studs and staples also tend to have similar characteristics .
Rivets are one of the oldest forms of fastener and , like most fasteners , can be manufactured using a wide variety of materials , depending upon the application for which the product is required . Washers are also classified as non-threaded fasteners , although strictly they are not fasteners but components within a fastening system .
Increased levels of automation in enduser industries , particularly the automotive sector , have fundamentally changed the requirements of fasteners in recent years . In the past , the emphasis of production centred around time , handling and effort , but now the key characteristics are repeatability and tight performance tolerance .
PEM ® concealed-head , self-clinching studs and standoffs for thin metals .
The increased life expectancy of many end-use products , such as the two-sided galvanization of automotive bodies , better finishes , increased use of plastics and new designs in engines and transmissions , have demanded that fasteners adapt to greater longevity . This has resulted in old practices , such as electroplating and phosphate and oil finishing , being replaced by sophisticated organic coatings . In turn , this has led to adjustments in tightening strategies and torque / tension testing .
Global market forecasts
The industrial fasteners market by revenue is expected to grow at a CAGR of close to 5 % from 2019-2025 , according to the “ Industrial Fasteners Market - Global Outlook & Forecast 2020-2025 ” report .
“ The global industrial fasteners market suffered a downfall during the COVID-19 crisis as most economic activities were halted during Q1 and Q2 2020 . Major revenuegenerating end-users of construction , automotive , machinery , and aerospace manufacturing activities were affected , leading to a decline in demand for new fasteners ,” said the report .
However , it added , the global industrial fasteners market is set to display impressive growth during the forecast period . The increased diversity of substrate materials , driven by continuously evolving end-user expectations , and the rise of industry 4.0 and IoT are the major factors influencing the growth of the market . Innovative manufacturing has expanded in emerging economies , with nextgeneration large scale manufacturing centres planned predominantly in the APAC region . “ The same is likely to be significantly complemented by an overwhelming rise in global automation expenditure . The demand for industrial fastening solutions is driven by tremendous manufacturing and construction growth in countries such as India and China , supported by favourable demographics , large indigenous consumption and a supportive regulatory and investment environment . The establishment of semiconductor fabs and electronic assembly units in Japan , South Korea , Taiwan and China , which involve the highest degree of innovation , is set to increase the demand for ingenious and specialty fasteners ,” added the report .
“ Industrial metal fasteners accounted for the largest share in 2019 . These fasteners have high automotive , aerospace , construction , electronics , machinery and consumer appliances . Manufacturing innovative products such as specialty , miniature and hybrid fasteners to meet
the global automotive fasteners market is expected to reach over US $ 34 billion by 2025
24 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR March 2021