Nuts

It’s nearly impossible to discuss fasteners like bolts and machine screws — sizes, head styles, grades, and finishes — without considering the rest of the hardware, including machine screw nuts, finished hex nuts, k-lock nuts and more.

Nuts are used to secure a bolt or screw, along with washers to distribute pressure, relieve friction and prevent leaks. Nut manufacturers fabricate their products from a wide variety of metal and nonmetallic materials. The following are some of the most common types of nuts:

This is the most common locking nut and has a nylon ring fabricated into its top. When threaded onto a bolt, the nylon ring conforms to the threads of the bolt. The interference fit generated between the bolt and nylon inserts locks the device into place.

For applications that require moderate strength, the nylon insert lock nut (Nylock Nut) represents one of the most common fastening solutions. It includes the following variants:

• Thin, Grade 2, Zinc-Plated
• Thin, Stainless Steel
• Grade 2, Zinc-Plated
• Grade 8, Yellow, Zinc-Plated
• Stainless Steel
• Heavy, Grade 2, Zinc-Plated
• Machine Screw, Stainless Steel
• Machine Screw, Grade 2, Zinc-Plated

For applications that require superior strength, Grade C lock nuts provide a solid solution — with the ability to withstand temperatures of under 300° F for extended durations and without degradation.

Most hex nuts consist of low carbon steel, which the manufacturer hardens to a Grade 5 or Grade 8. Finished hex nuts are either plain or zinc-plated, which matches the grade color code. The various finishes for hex nuts include:

• Aluminum
• Brass
• Grade 2, Plain Finish
• Grade 2, Zinc-Plated
• Grade 5, Zinc-Plated
• Grade 5, Zinc-Plated
• Grade 8, Plain Finish
• Grade 8, Yellow, Zinc-Plated
• Silicon Bronze
• Stainless Steel 304 (18-8)
• Stainless Steel 316
• Hot Dip Galvanized
• Nylon

Machine screw nut options include:

• Brass
• Nylon
• Silicon Bronze
• Stainless Steel 304 (18-8)
• Stainless Steel 316
• Zinc-Plated

K-Lock Nuts (Keps Nuts) are usually zinc-plated.