Blind Bolt Fasteners Vs Wire Threaded Inserts
Blindbolt NZ | 11th March 2021
Blind Bolt Fasteners
Industries such as construction and manufacturing make wide use of fastenings, and some of the options available are better suited to specific projects than others. We’ll explore that concept by looking at the differences between two of the options – blind bolt fasteners and wire threaded inserts.
What Are Blind Bolts and Wire Threaded Inserts?
Blind bolts are a type of fastening which provide more strength, versatility and flexibility than conventional bolts. They are used in large numbers across industries like manufacturing and construction, creating strong, robust connections as an alternative to rivets or hex bolts. Alongside the range of sizes which are available and the versatility of the fastening, blind bolts offer the advantage of being quick and simple to install.
Wire threaded inserts, which are also sometimes called wire thread fasteners, take the form of a threaded metal cylinder which can be placed into a pre-drilled hole. This creates a threaded pathway and offers a strong connection when working with softer metals in conditions in which changing temperatures and corrosion might be a factor.
The Benefits of Blind Bolts and Wire Threaded Inserts
Although they both offer benefits for construction companies and manufacturers, blind bolts and wire threaded fasteners perform completely different roles. They are both innovative solutions to the task of holding materials together, but the right fastener has to be chosen for each specific job.
The Benefits of Blind Bolt Fasteners
Blind bolts are widely regarded as being one of the most innovative and excitement developments to hit the construction industry in recent years. When compared to alternatives such as lock bolts, they offer a combination of strength and versatility, at the same time as being quick and simple to install. The ease of installation means that construction companies can complete their projects more quickly than usual without risking any drop in quality.
The name ‘blind bolts’ is a reference to the fact that the fasteners can be fitted from just one side of a join, making them the ideal choice for areas in which access is limited. The undoubted strength offered by blind bolts gives them a huge advantage over other forms of fastening and makes them the ideal choice for a wide range of projects in industries such as mining, automotive and construction.
How do the Benefits of Wire Threaded Inserts Compare?
Wire threaded inserts are designed expressly for use with softer metals like aluminium. Once the bolt is placed inside the pre-drilled hole it exerts pressure which holds the wire thread in place. The secure nature of the join created is strong enough to resist external factors like vibrations, corrosion and sudden changes in temperature and climactic conditions. All of this, allied to the ability to work in high-stress conditions, makes wire threaded inserts the regular fastening of choice across the aerospace industry. In many cases, the join is strong enough to actually outlast the materials being joined together.
Which Fastening Is Best for My Project?
The differing advantages and qualities presented by blind bolts and wire threaded inserts mean that each is more likely to be suited to specific projects when compared to the other. Blind bolts offer great versatility, providing ultra-strong fastenings across a range of industries while being quick and simple to install and offering ease of use when access is restricted. Wire threaded inserts, on the other hand, are best suited to specific applications, generally involving softer metallic fastenings.
What to Take Away
Taken together, blind bolt fasteners and wire threaded inserts represent some of the most innovative and effective fastenings currently available. Blind bolts offer strength, ease of use and versatility, while wire threaded inserts are the ideal solution for situations involving soft metallic materials.
Interested in finding out more about blind bolts? Get in touch and speak to a member of the BlindBolt team today by using our contact form below. Alternatively, you can contact a member of our team on 0800 42 52 56 or by emailing us at enquiries@blindbolt.co.nz. You can also find out more about our blind bolts by reading our guide here.
The Blind Bolt