Product Technical Guides : CA-EN Direct Fastening - Volume 1 Edition 22 | Page 23

3.2.2 FASTENING TO STEEL
3.2.2.1 GENERAL SUITABILITY
When a powder , battery , or gas-actuated fastener is driven into steel , the steel around the fastener shank is displaced . This displaced steel flows back around the shank and into the knurling creating a keying hold or , in the case of smooth shank fasteners , a friction hold . In addition , the local heat generated during the driving process causes partial fusion of the fastener to the steel .
A fastener driven into steel is influenced by the following factors :
• Base steel thickness
• Tensile strength of base steel
• Fastener spacing and edge distance
• Fastener shank diameter
• Fastener shank knurling
Direct Fastening Technical Guide , Edition 24
3.2.2.2 FASTENER SPACING , EDGE DISTANCE AND BASE MATERIAL THICKNESS REQUIREMENTS FOR STEEL
C min
= Min . Edge Distance = 1 / 2 " ( 12 mm ) 1
S min
= Min . Fastener Spacing without reduction in performance = 1 " ( 25 mm ) 1 t II
= Min . Base Steel Thickness = 1 / 8 " ( 3 mm ) 2
1 Unless otherwise noted ( e . g . X-BT-MR and X-BT-GR fastener ) 2 Some fasteners require thicker base steel ( e . g . X-EW10H , X-BT-MR and X-BT-GR )
S min
C min t II
3.2.2.3 BASE STEEL THICKNESS AND FASTENER DRIVING DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS
Holding power
Optimum thickness 3 / 8 " to 1 / 2 " ( 10 to 12 mm )
base steel thickness
Application range for standard knurled fasteners
Steel thickness
Optimal holding power is obtained when fastener point is driven to distance h ET
.
Base steel tensile strength ( x1000 ) psi
As the tensile strength of the base steel increases , the thickness of the base steel suitable for DX / GX fastenings decreases .
Fastener type
Recommended driving distance to achieve optimal tension capacity , h ET
* in . mm
L S
L S
= h ET + t I
t I
h ET
L S
h ET
X-U
0.394 - 0.551
10 - 14
X-U 15
0.433 - 0.551
11 - 14
X-EW6H-xx-9
0.315 - 0.433
8 - 11
EDS
0.472 - 0.669
12 - 17
X-S 14 B3 , G3
0.315 - 0.433
8 -11
X-P B3 , G3
0.315 - 0.630
8-16
X-EW10H-xx-14
0.512 - 0.630
13 - 16
DS
0.669 - 1.063
17 - 27
X-S13 P8THP
0.394 - 0.472
10 -12
X-S16 P8TH
> 0.433
> 11
X-R
> 0.394
> 10
* The objective of this table is to ensure adequate through-penetration of the base steel . For load capacity of fasteners without through-penetration , refer to corresponding allowable load tables and applicable footnotes for more details . AISI S100 , Section J5 , provides additional information regarding point penetration of PAF ’ s in steel .
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