5 Facts About AN Bolts

Have you heard of AN bolts? They are commonly used in airplanes. Most airplanes have thousands of fasteners, with AN bolts being one of the most common types. While they look like ordinary threaded fasteners, though, AN bolts adhere to … Read More

What Are Self-Piercing Rivets and How Do They Work?

Airplanes contain other types of fasteners besides bolts and screws. While threaded fasteners such as these are common, many airplanes also contain rivets. Rivets are permanent fasteners that, unlike most threaded fasteners, are resistant to vibrations. Rivets are used to … Read More

What Are Aviation Snips?

When shopping for cutting tools to use in the aerospace manufacturing industry, you may come across aviation snips. They look like a typical pair of shears. Aviation snips have a handle and a cutting blade. Unlike traditional shears, though, aviation … Read More

What Are Fire Sleeves and Why Do Airplanes Have Them?

Have you heard of fire sleeves? They are commonly used in airplanes. As shown in the adjacent photo, fire sleeves consist of a hollow, sleeve-like tube. For a better understanding of fire sleeves, including why airplanes have them, keep reading. … Read More

An Introduction to Countersunk Washers

Washers are commonly used in conjunction with a threaded fastener. Bolts, for instance, are often inserted through the center of a washer. The washer will distribute the bolt’s load more evenly across the surface of the object, thus protecting the … Read More

The Beginner’s Guide to Blind Fasteners and How They Work

No airplane is complete with fasteners. Depending on the size, airplanes may contain anywhere from 1 million to 3 million fasteners. Each of these fasteners is responsible for holding one or more parts in place. In addition to traditional fasteners, … Read More

3 Common Types of Jet Fuel Additives

Nearly all gas-turbine airplanes run on jet fuel. Also known as aviation turbine fuel, it’s a type of kerosene that’s made of ultra-refined petroleum. It was invented in the mid-1900s. Since then, jet fuel has been used to power countless … Read More

How to Measure Rivets With a Cherry Gauge

Rivets are one of the most common types of fasteners used in airplanes. Airplanes still have screws and bolts, many of their components are secured with rivets. Rivets don’t have the same type of threaded body as screws and bolts. … Read More

5 Facts About Terminal Blocks

Terminal blocks are commonly used in the electrical systems of airplanes. They consist of block-shaped connectors that support multiple wires or cables. Rather than using a twist-cap connector, for instance, you can connect two wires with a terminal block. Below … Read More