What are nylon plastic fasteners and how are they used? Nylon fasteners are used in everyday living for everything imaginable. They include cable ties, wire management clips, hose clamps, circuit board hardware, panel fasteners, bushings, spacers, washers, screws, bolts and nuts. Fasteners are generally constructed using tough molded nylon that is corrosion resistant but they can be made out of other material as well.
The most common of all plastic fasteners is the nylon cable tie, more commonly known as zip ties or locking ties. They are most often used to organize several cables together or to secure a tag to an item. Not only do they come in various widths and lengths, but they also are available in several colors to tie up nearly anything. The length of the cable tie determines what the bundling diameter will be and the width determines the tensile strength. Many people are surprised to find out that the overall strength can exceed a couple hundred pounds for a single tie and they can be several feet long.
Nylon circuit board hardware was created to aid in spacing, locking, guidance and supporting electronics. As more and more devices utilize intelligence lodged on a circuit board, the need for fastening the boards in place has grown. The advantage of nylon hardware is that the material properties provide excellent electrical isolation while metal does not. Most styles simply snap into place through the holes in the circuit board panel. If they need to be removed from the piece once it has been snapped in, you just simply squeeze the locking device from the other side of the panel. The other types are mounted by either using threaded hardware or pre-attached adhesives to secure everything in place.
The use of plastic screws, washers, nuts and rivets can vary from the type of material that they fasten together. Most, if not all, of these items can be used with nearly any materials such as particle board, metal, rubber, plastic and wood. These items secure the material to itself or to another object, such as a wall or a sheet metal panel. The key advantages of nylon over metal are the resistances it has to corrosion, rust, chemicals, abrasion and vibration. Others advantages include: lightweight, electrical properties and limited torque. However, when securing large items, the proper size of the fastener is necessary because nylon is not as strong as metal. Each fastener has its own purpose and there are other types available to help complete nearly every job imaginable.
The purpose of hose clamps is to help seal a hose onto what is called a nib or barb. The clamp serves as a seal with items such as automotive parts and household appliances. It is important for household appliances, such as a washing machine, to have the proper fitting hose clamp because the repercussions of having the incorrect size could lead to a leak. The hose clamps come in many sizes to accommodate almost every type of hose that is on the market. To use the clamp properly it would need to fit over the two hoses that need to be joined together. Once this step is completed, the clamp can be tightened in place with the attached screw.