An Introduction to Nylon Fasteners

Fasteners are used in a wide range of applications and industries to keep important parts and assemblies together. As such, they are commonly made from very strong and robust materials. For this reason, it may come as a surprise that fasteners made from nylon hardware such as nylon insert lock nuts not only exist, but play a crucial role in a myriad of fastening applications. Therefore, when carrying out an industrial or manufacturing process that heavily relies on fasteners, nylon fasteners should be considered just as seriously as traditional types of fasteners. In fact, in many cases, nylon fasteners have superior qualities over other fastener types. This blog will cover what nylon fasteners are, what they are made from, and why they are used.

A nylon fastener, as its name makes evident, is a type of fastener made from the plastic known as nylon. This type of plastic is typically modified during the production process to make it tough enough to withstand the harsh conditions that fasteners are often exposed to. The type of nylon used to manufacture these fasteners can come from many different types of plastic, but is primarily one of acetal, PVC, polypropylene, and polycarbonate. Each material brings its own unique benefits and is suited to different applications.

Acetal is well-known for being waterproof, making acetal fasteners ideal for marine applications. PVC is resistant to UV radiation and sunlight, allowing it to be used in outdoor applications. Polypropylene is a plastic used as an additive to other plastics, making them stronger. Finally, polycarbonate is a form of plastic with a high resistance to heat and electricity, therefore making it the ideal material when manufacturing nylon fasteners to be used in areas of high temperatures or voltages.

Nylon fasteners are most commonly used in situations where use of a metal fastener would be unsafe or unideal. A common example of this is in electronics, where the manufacturer may want to tailor the design to insulate the product as much as possible. Additionally, because plastic is an inert product and therefore will not react with most chemicals, nylon fasteners are extremely beneficial in environments where harsh chemicals are in use. For example, in a manufacturing facility where powerful acids or similar chemicals are used in the production process, using metal fasteners that will react with the acid could prove to be catastrophic. Not only will the use of nylon fasteners here reduce the need for constant replacement, because they are resistant to chemicals and will not become damaged as quickly, they will also diminish the risk of spillage, making them safer for the environment.

Nylon fasteners are useful in many different areas and are not something to be overlooked. When buying nylon fasteners, it is critical that you get them from a top quality source. The reliability of a nylon fastener is highly dependent on the quality of the manufacturing process, and getting them from a respected manufacturer is the only way to be sure your fasteners will work as intended.