improve their performance characteristics by, for example, enhancing corrosion resistance. Common coatings/platings include zinc, chrome, and hot dip galvanizing. Applications When selecting a fastener for industrial applications, it is important to consider a variety of factors. The threading, the applied load on the fastener, the stiffness of the fastener, and the number of fasteners needed should all be taken into account. When choosing a fastener for a given application, it is important to know the specifics of that application to help select the proper material for the intended use. Factors that should be considered include: Accessibility Environment, including temperature, water exposure, and potentially corrosive elements Installation process Materials to be joined Reusability Weight restrictions Types A threaded fastener has internal or external screw threads. The most common types are the screw, nut and bolt, possibly involving washers. Other more specialized types of threaded fasteners include captive threaded fasteners, stud, threaded inserts, and threaded rods. Other types of fastener include: anchor bolt batten bolt (fastener) screw bolt snap brass fastener buckle button cable tie cam captive fastener clamp (or cramp) hose clamp clasp and shackle bolt snap carabiner circle cotter lobster clasp cleco clip circlip hairpin clip paper clip terry clip clutch drawing pin (thumbtack) flange frog grommet hook-and-eye closure hook and loop fastener Velcro latch nail and rivet solid/round head rivets semi-tubular rivets blind (pop) rivet pegs clothespin tent peg PEM nut pins clevis fastener cotter dowel linchpin R-clip safety pin split pin spring pin tapered pin retaining rings circlip e-ring rivet-like well nut rock bolt rubber band (or bands of other materials) screw anchor snap fastener snap-fit staple stitches strap tie toggle bolt tolerance rings treasury tag twist tie wedge anchor zipper Standards & traceability ASME B18 standards on certain fasteners The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) publishes several Standards on fasteners. Some are: B18.3 Socket Cap, Shoulder, Set Screws, and Hex Keys (Inch Series) B18.6.1 Wood Screws (Inch Series) B18.6.2 Slotted Head Cap Screws, Square Head Set Screws, And Slotted Headless Set Screws (Inch Series) B18.6.3 Machine Screws, Tapping Screws, and Metallic Drive Screws (Inch Series) B18.18 Quality Assurance For Fasteners B18.24 Part Identifying Number (PIN) Code System Standard for B18 Fastener Products For military hardware American screws, bolts, and nuts were historically not fully interchangeable with their British counterparts, and therefore would not fit British equipment properly. This, in part, helped lead to the development of