ISMR March 2022 | Page 21

FOCUS ON FASTENERS

A sheet metal skeleton , with fastener points , at the Ford factory in Izmit .
such as electroplating and phosphate / oil finishing , being replaced by sophisticated organic coatings . In turn , this has led to adjustments in tightening strategies and torque / tension testing .
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 .
Fasteners are needed for automotive use .
Automotive fastener market
According to analyst Market Research Future , the automotive fasteners market in terms of value is estimated to reach US $ 35,636.5 million by 2026 , registering a 5.95 % CAGR during the forecast period .
“ The automotive fasteners market is driven by the growing need for technical development and design improvement in automotive fasteners . Moreover , increased demand for vehicle stability and reduced vehicle weight is expected to create opportunities for automotive fastener vendors across the globe ,” said its report .
Stainless steel is a strong option for automotive fasteners as it delivers fireresistance , ease of fabrication and a high strength-to-weight ratio as well as excellent recyclability . High-strength stainless steel also offers excellent energy absorption in relation to strain rate . It is used for various types of threaded and non-threaded fasteners , which helps prevent corrosion , and is suitable for temperature ranges of between -40 ° C and + 80 ° C . There are more than 200 grades of stainless steel available in the market .
“ In electric vehicles , a high number of automotive fasteners are used to channel the circuitry efficiently without corrosion , short-circuitry and loss of thermal transfer . Steel automotive fasteners are widely used in this sector . The increasing popularity of incorporating battery-powered systems in trains is expected to increase the demand for automotive fasteners in battery packs and charging stations as they can help improve the life of components joined together via rivets or nuts and bolts ,” commented the report .
Asia-Pacific is expected to drive growth for the fasteners market with high automobile sales in countries such as New Zealand , Australia , India , China , Japan , South Korea and Indonesia . The automotive fasteners market is also growing due to the increasing demand for vehicles with improved safety and fuel efficiency . Government regulations for lightweight vehicles have led to technological advances for manufacturing lightweight and durable products in the region . n
ISMR March 2022 | sheetmetalplus . com | 21