Not all nuts feature a traditional hexagonal shape. Some of them are shaped like a barrel. Known as barrel nuts or dowel nuts, they are commonly used in electronics, aerospace, construction and furniture applications. Like hexagonal nuts, barrel nuts feature internal threads. The threads, however, run perpendicular in barrel nuts. Below are five important things to consider when choosing a barrel nut.
#1) Material
Barrel nuts are available in different materials. Some of them are made of high-carbon steel or stainless steel, whereas others are made of brass or aluminum. High-carbon steel is very strong, making it an excellent choice for high-stress applications. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is better protected against rust and corrosion. Brass barrel nuts are also corrosion-resistant, and they offer a decorative finish. Aluminum barrel nuts are lightweight and very weather-resistant.
#2) Thread Size
Don’t forget to check the thread size when choosing a barrel nut. Barrel nuts are designed for use with a threaded fastener, such as a screw or bolt. Therefore, the threads of a barrel nut must match those of the fastener with which it’s used. Some barrel nuts have fine threads, whereas others have coarse threads. Regardless, you should choose a barrel nut with the right thread size for the fastener with which you intend to use it.
#3) Thread Direction
In addition to thread size, you should consider the thread direction when choosing a barrel nut. Barrel nuts can have either right-hand threads or left-hand threads. Right-hand threads are the most common. You can tighten them by rotating the fastener clockwise, and you can loosen them by rotating the fastener counterclockwise. Left-hand threads are essentially the opposite. They require a counterclockwise rotation for tightening and a clockwise rotation for loosening.
#4) Barrel Height
The barrel height of a barrel nut represents the length of the threaded section. All barrel nuts have a threaded section. It runs perpendicular through the center of a barrel nut. Some barrel nuts, though, have a taller threaded section than others. The barrel height represents the height of this section. If a barrel nut has a barrel height of 0.3 inches, the threaded section is 0.3 inches tall.
#5) Surface Treatment
You may notice that some barrel nuts are surface-treated. This process involves the application of a protective layer over the surface of a barrel nut. Cadmium, for instance, is commonly used as a surface treatment. The cadmium shields and protects the underlying material from oxidative stress and damage. If you’re planning to use the barrel nut outdoors or in harsh environments, you may want to choose a surface-treated nut.
