Behind the operation of machinery and the stability of buildings, small fasteners play a vital role in connection. However, long-term use and the impact of complex environments can make fasteners face problems such as loosening and corrosion. Proper maintenance is the only way to make them continue to play the value of “small body, big energy”.
Daily inspection is the first step in maintaining fasteners. Regular visual inspection to see if there is any surface rust, wear and tear, and if the threads are slippery; use a torque wrench to retest the bolt preload to ensure that it meets the design requirements. For fasteners on vibratory equipment, double-check weekly or monthly for looseness; for indoor static equipment, quarterly or semi-annual inspections are sufficient.
Cleaning and maintenance is the key to preventing fastener damage. In dry environments, dust can be removed with brushes and compressed air; in oily scenarios, industrial alcohol or special cleaning agents can effectively remove stains. Be sure to dry thoroughly after cleaning to avoid residual moisture leading to rust. If you find slight rust stains, use sandpaper to lightly abrade and then apply rust preventive oil; if the rust stains are serious, they can be cleaned after soaking in rust remover.
The anti-corrosion measures for fasteners are different in different environments. Outdoor open-air facilities, every year before the rainy season to check whether the bolt joint sealant cracking, and timely coating; high-temperature environment, avoid the use of low-melting-point plating fasteners, can be changed to nickel-plated and other high-temperature-resistant materials. In addition, regular application of lubricant or rust preventive oil can reduce thread wear and isolate moisture.
There are also some misconceptions to avoid when maintaining fasteners. Over-tightening can cause bolts to break, and mixing fasteners of different materials can accelerate damage. At the same time, establishing a maintenance file and stocking commonly used spare parts can also make maintenance work more efficient. Emphasis on the maintenance of fasteners, in order to make every connection is solid and reliable, for the safe operation of equipment and buildings.
