WHY GUIDANCE IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THE RIGHT PRODUCT IS SPECIFIED
The team at Challenge Europe are used to dealing with questions of specification regarding materials and finishes of threaded fasteners. An example is where black stainless steel screws were specified using a treatment involving oil, however the retained oil contaminated the substrate and substantially marred the appearance of the final assembly. It
turned out that stainless steel was not necessary and that it was perfectly satisfactory to use normal steel with a different blackening process not requiring an oil – with absolutely no detriment to the application. Screws and nuts can be produced in so many materials and alloys –
from mild steel, high tensile steels, stainless steels, brass, nylon, copper, titanium, duplex stainless steels, exotics such as Inconel, Incoloy, Monel, Hastelloy, Zirconium, Molybdenum, Tantalum, Waspaloy, Tungsten, Silicon Bronze, Aluminium, Ferralium, Polyoxymethylene and even Fibreglass or glass reinforced plastics. The selection of these can therefore be confusing and potentially problematic, especially when overlain with the further multiplicity of additional finishes available. Typically, these finishes are most applicable to steels because of their
ability to change the properties of screws made from this low-cost material. Primarily aimed at improving corrosion resistance or changing appearance, the most common include zinc, in various forms, occasionally cadmium, also black japanned, chemical black, chrome, electro brass, copper, stayblack or powder coating. Chromate conversion coatings are often used as part of the plating process to passivate the coated surface which enhances corrosion protection and can add a decorative effect in the cases of zinc & yellow and zinc & black. Choosing which substrate and which finish can be simplified with experienced advice available from a specialist fastener supplier.
Challenge Europe
www.challenge-europe.co.uk DESIGN SOLUTIONS | MAY 2020 11
NON-MARRING COVERED TOOLS HELP PROTECT SURFACES FROM SCRATCHES
One slip with a traditional bit can scratch or mar the finish of a product, leading to more work and more expenses, writes Crescent. On average, rework can account for up to 5% of a total job cost. The Crescent APEX u-GUARD series of non-marring covered tools gives
protection and control for the most demanding jobsites. These patented tools allow the user to hold the drive tool directly while it spins freely inside the covers, increasing fastening control and significantly reducing contact from the rotating tool. It protects surrounding surfaces from scratching while the cover’s thin wall maintains accessibility in tight spaces. The technology behind u-GUARD tools has been proven for more than
ten years in automotive assembly plants where it is required by many of the major automotive brands such as GM, BMW, Mercedes, and Ford. This, however, is the first time that this protection is available to the construction and automotive repair industries. The new u-GUARD series includes bits, bit holders and nutsetters as
well as 30-piece and 38-piece sets in the rugged new Crescent APEX alphaCASE bit storage case.
Crescent
www.crescenttool.com
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