Fasteners and fixings are mechanical hardware used to join, hold, or secure two or more parts together, either permanently or in a way that allows disassembly and There are many types of fasteners and fixings The main types fall into two groups: threaded fasteners (bolts, screws, nuts, studs) and non-threaded fixings (rivets, anchors, washers, pins).
Here’s what buyers and specifiers usually want to know first before purchasing the best types of fasteners and fixings:
- How they work: Threaded types create a mechanical grip through helical threads; non-threaded types rely on deformation, friction, or expansion.
- When to use each: Threaded fasteners suit joints that need periodic removal; non-threaded fixings suit permanent or high-vibration joints.
- What they cost or involve: Price depends on material grade, coating, and certification — stainless and Ex-rated hardware cost more than mild-steel commodity parts.
What Are Fasteners and Fixings, Exactly?
In engineering terms, a fastener creates a removable mechanical joint, while a fixing usually refers to hardware that creates a permanent or semi-permanent connection. In practice, most industries use the two words interchangeably, and product catalogs — including Cabex India’s fasteners and fixings range — group both under one category because buyers search for them together.
The distinction matters more once you’re specifying hardware for a real project. A maintenance-heavy joint, like a panel that gets opened for servicing, needs a bolt or screw. A structural connection that should never move, like a steel bracket on a wall, is often better served by a rivet or an anchor.
Types of Fasteners (Threaded Hardware)
Threaded fasteners are the largest category by volume and the ones most engineers reach for first.
Bolts
Bolts are threaded rods, usually paired with a nut, used to clamp two or more parts together. They’re rated by grade (strength), thread pitch, and head style — hex head, carriage, and socket head being the most common. Bolts suit structural steel work, machinery assembly, and flange connections where high clamping force matters.
Screws
Screws differ from bolts mainly in how they’re used: a screw usually threads directly into a tapped hole or into the material itself, without a separate nut. Machine screws, self-tapping screws, and wood screws each suit a different substrate. Screws are the go-to choice for lighter assemblies, enclosures, and panel work.
Nuts
Nuts are the threaded counterpart to bolts, and their design affects joint reliability as much as the bolt does. Standard hex nuts, lock nuts, and nylon-insert nuts each resist loosening differently — an important spec for anything exposed to vibration, like transport machinery or offshore equipment.
Studs
Studs are fully threaded rods without a head, threaded into a fixed component at one end and secured with a nut at the other. They’re common in flange assemblies, pipeline connections, and applications where a bolt head would obstruct access.
Types of Fixings (Non-Threaded Hardware)
Non-threaded fixings hold parts together through deformation, expansion, or friction rather than a screw thread.
Rivets
Rivets create a permanent joint by deforming a metal pin through aligned holes. Manufacturers widely use blind (pop) rivets where you can only access one side of the joint; sheet metal enclosures, ducting, and automotive panels are typical examples.
Anchors
Anchors secure hardware into concrete, masonry, or hollow walls. Expansion anchors, wedge anchors, and chemical anchors each suit different load and substrate conditions, and they’re a core part of structural and facade installations.
Washers
Washers distribute load, prevent surface damage, and — in the case of spring or lock washers — resist vibration-induced loosening. They’re a small component with an outsized effect on joint longevity, especially in equipment that runs continuously.
Pins and Clips
Cotter pins, dowel pins, and retaining clips secure components without threads at all, often used in machinery where a fastener needs to be removed quickly without tools.
Threaded vs. Non-Threaded vs. Specialty Fixings: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Threaded (Bolts/Screws) | Non-Threaded (Rivets/Pins) | Specialty (Anchors) |
| Removability | Reusable, can be unbolted | Permanent once installed | Semi-permanent |
| Best for | Serviced joints, machinery | Sheet metal, panels, sealed assemblies | Concrete, masonry, facades |
| Vibration resistance | Needs lock washers/nuts | Naturally high (rivets) | High (once cured/set) |
| Typical install tool | Wrench, driver | Rivet gun | Hammer drill, wrench |
How to Choose the Right Type of Fasteners and Fixings for an Industrial or Export Project
Selecting the correct fastener type is rarely about strength alone. Four factors decide the right choice:
- Load and vibration environment. Static structural loads tolerate standard hex bolts; vibrating machinery needs lock washers, nylon-insert nuts, or rivets.
- Material compatibility. Mixing dissimilar metals (like carbon steel bolts on stainless panels) risks galvanic corrosion, especially in coastal or Gulf export environments.
- Access and maintenance. If you’ll open the joint again, threaded fasteners win. If you’re sealing it for good, however, rivets or adhesive fixings make more sense.
- Certification requirements. Export and hazardous-area projects — including explosion-protected enclosures — often specify ATEX, IECEx, or DIN/ISO-rated hardware, not just generic commercial-grade parts.
Grand View Research valued the global industrial fasteners market at roughly USD 104 billion in 2025, and Asia Pacific held the largest regional revenue share — over 45% in 2024 — largely because of automotive and construction production volumes. As a result, for export-facing manufacturers, that regional weighting is a reminder that sourcing decisions increasingly hinge on certified, traceable supply, not just unit price.
Materials, Coatings, and Standards Worth Knowing
Most industrial fasteners are specified in carbon steel, stainless steel (A2/A4 grades), or brass, with coatings like zinc plating, hot-dip galvanizing, or Xylan applied for corrosion resistance. For explosion-protected or hazardous-area equipment — a category Cabex India works with closely through its cable gland and Ex-rated hardware lines — fasteners often need to meet ATEX or IECEx torque and material certification alongside the enclosure itself, not as an afterthought.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a fastener and a fixing?
A fastener typically creates a removable joint (like a bolt and nut), while a fixing usually refers to a permanent or semi-permanent connection, such as a rivet or anchor.
What are the four main types of fasteners?
The four most common categories are bolts, screws, nuts, and rivets, covering the majority of industrial and construction joining needs.
Which fastener type resists vibration best?
Lock nuts, nylon-insert nuts, spring washers, and rivets all resist vibration-induced loosening better than plain hex nuts on a standard bolt.
Do stainless steel fasteners cost more than carbon steel?
Yes — stainless steel (especially A4/316 grade) typically costs 2–4 times more than carbon steel but offers far better corrosion resistance for coastal or export use.
What certifications matter for fasteners used in hazardous areas?
ATEX and IECEx certifications matter most for fasteners used on explosion-protected enclosures, alongside standard ISO or DIN material and torque specifications.
Conclusion
Choosing between the types of fasteners and fixings available isn’t just a hardware decision — it affects joint safety, maintenance cost, and certification compliance over the life of the equipment. For projects that need export-grade, certified hardware alongside Ex-rated enclosures, Cabex India’s fasteners and fixings catalog is built around exactly that requirement.
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