Threading Variations in Structural Bolts Compared to Regular Bolts

Posted: May 01, 2025

Categories: News

Tags: news

There is a huge difference between structural bolts and regular bolts, and how they are threaded and meant to be used. Therefore, when you choose the bolt, you should consider a lot of details according to realistic situations, and choose the most appropriate type and specification of bolt.

 

Characteristics of Structural Bolts

Material Composition and Strength Requirements

Designated as structural bolts, these fasteners have strict material and strength requirements and are usually fine for high-load applications. It’s the material itself that’s crucial enough to survive the awful forces that arise in a structural use case such as bridges or skyscrapers, etc. The hardness is tested, and further load tests are performed on these bolts, which are all certified to international standards like DIN 931.

 

Thread Design and Its Role in Load Distribution

The performance of structural bolts is critical, and the design of its thread contributes to enhancing the performance of the bolt. The threads are machined with very tight tolerances so they fit tightly when you use the correct nut with them.

 

This close thread fit reduces slip under load and distributes the load across the entire body of the bolt. Also, structural bolts are typically coarse threads that hold better and help prevent stripping threads during the installation process.

 

Applications of Structural Bolts in Construction and Heavy Industries

Structural bolts are widely used throughout construction and heavy industries where safety is a major concern. They are utilized in steel-to-steel connections for bridges, structures buildings, and cranes.

 

It is this capacity to retain integrity under dynamic loads that allows them to be suited for applications where they would need to last for the long haul. They can provide dynamic load integrity, which makes them well-suited for applications that require long-term reliability.

 

Characteristics of Regular Bolts

Common Materials Used in Regular Bolts

Plain bolts are made from different types of materials based on their purpose. Some of the common materials used are carbon steel for normal purposes, stainless steel for anticorrosive purposes, and brass for decorative or electrical purposes. These are suitable for various applications but do not have the requisite high-tensile strength over other components used for the structure.

 

Threading Standards for General-Purpose Applications

Normal bolts follow normal thread specifications, such as DIN 933 or DIN 7985, so they will fit most nuts and pre-threaded components. Unlike structural bolts requiring a higher precision or closer tolerances on the threading, regular bolts are manufactured to suffice their purpose and thus possess less stringent standards compared to structural bolts.

 

Typical Uses of Regular Bolts Across Various Industries

Standard bolts are used in many different sectors because they are very versatile. Common applications include furniture assembly, automobile repairs, machinery maintenance, and household fixtures. They are great in mild conditions, but they are not built to cope with high loads and extreme stress conditions.

 

Key Differences in Threading Between Structural and Regular Bolts

The key differences between structural (high-strength) bolts and regular bolts lie in their strength, application, and threading.  It’s crucial to understand these differences when selecting bolts for specific applications.

 

Precision and Tolerances in Threading

The Importance of Tight Thread Fit in Structural Applications

Due to dynamic loads, structural bolts require precisely manufactured threads to ensure they remain tight. This level of accuracy is essential for structural safety, like in bridge or skyscraper construction. On the other hand, regular bolts have looser tolerances appropriate for everyday applications where ultra-precision does not matter.

 

Thread Pitch and Its Impact on Performance

The distance between the bolts of a structural and a regular bolt is called the thread pitch, which can be significantly different. Because most structural bolts use coarse threads, the comparatively large thread surface area is less effective for load-bearing strength, which can be desirable under heavy loads.

 

Surface Treatments and Their Effects on Threads

Surface treatments to protect the performance of bolt threads will improve resistance to corrosion and wear. Structural bolts are often hot dip galvanized or zinc flake coated to protect them from the rigors of extreme environments for long durations. Take Hexagon Head Bolts DIN 931 for instance which provide bright zinc plated (BZF) or hot dip galvanized (HDG) finishes with excellent corrosion resistance in all but the most arduous environments.

 

Surface processes may also be used by regular bolts, but these processes mostly focus on aesthetic purposes or simple corrosion protection and lack the resilience to be termed industrial-grade. For premium-quality fasteners tailored to your specific needs, consider exploring QEWIT‘s extensive product range.

 

QEWIT’s Structural Bolt Solutions

Features of QEWIT’s High-Performance Structural Bolts

Large-scale structures must be stable and safe and structural bolts are among the best fasteners used for this purpose, similar to these bolts are manufactured as per the most prominent industrial standards and help in providing as good performance as needed for prevailing services. These are high-quality carbon steel / alloy steel-based bolts as per grades 8.8, 10.9, or 12.9.

 

Also notable is the threading of these bolts. The threads are precisely machined to tight tolerances which result in a tight fit when mated with matching nuts. It minimizes slippage when the load is heavy and distributes the stress over to the body of the bolt uniformly.

 

Customization Options Available with QEWIT Products

The solution customization offered by this provider is the key to the offering. Whether your project requires certain sizes or custom compositions of material, customized structural bolts are available for you to order with exactly what you need. This includes the manufacture of non-standard fastening products as per customer drawings or samples.

 

The excellent flexibility in product design is possible due to advanced processing techniques like forging, cutting, machining and punching. Hence, surface treatments can be tailored to individual environmental challenges. Select black oxide finishes increase wear resistance, while zinc flake coatings offer increased corrosion resistance.

 

Recommendations for Choosing the Right Bolt for Your Application

Factors to Consider When Selecting Structural vs. Regular Bolts

There are a few distinguishing guidelines between structural and regular bolts that can help you decide which to go for. This is because structural bolts are designed for high-load applications where safety is of utmost importance. Regular bolts are great for a general-use capacity but do not possess the tensile strength needed for structural applications.

 

Another key consideration is thread pitch. Structural bolts generally have a coarse thread, which allows for much better grip strength, especially with high forces acting on the bolt, while the intent behind the finer threads of regular bolts is to allow efficient assembly in less strenuous settings.

 

How QEWIT Products Address Specific Project Requirements

Such comprehensive offerings from this supplier ensure versatility so that you can find the right bolt solution for any application. You can source all fasteners from one source with over 30,000 product lines available, including threaded inserts, screws, nuts, washers and special parts.

 

It helps to consolidate suppliers which increases the efficiency and reduces the cost of managing multiple suppliers. These products go through strict quality control processes to ensure they comply with international quality standards.

 

FAQs

Q1: What makes structural bolts suitable for high-stress applications?

A: Structural bolts are made from high-grade materials like carbon steel or alloy steel with grades such as 8.8 or 10.9 that ensure superior tensile strength and durability.

 

Q2: What role do surface treatments play in improving the performance of a bolt?

A: Hot-dip galvanization is one of the most common protective treatments against corrosion and wear. This treatment can solve the long-term problem of bolt life even in harsh environments.

 

Q3: Can I get customized fasteners tailored to my project needs?

A: Yes, bespoke solutions are available based on customer drawings or samples, including advanced processing techniques and specific certifications like 3.1 certification to DIN-EN-10204.