Aircraft Fasteners

Warning: Only the APPROVED METHODS OF FASTENING DEVICES MUST BE USED on aircraft. Substitution with incorrect parts can cause fatal failures.

Fasteners or fastening devices are used to create secure joints between two or more components. Types of fastening devices used on aircraft vary in accordance with the materials, which require joining and the importance of the joined components or structures to the safety of the aircraft.

The environment in which the joint must operate and the frequency (and ease) with which the joint may need to be disassembled for inspection, replacement or repair will also influence the choice of fasteners to be employed. Fasteners may be metallic or non-metallic (or composites of both types). They may be flexible or rigid (or a combination of both) and may be used to form the three basic categories of joints.