The oil and gas industry is full of rugged environments and heavy-duty machinery, all of which calls for the use of some pretty durable fasteners. Which fasteners can answer the call and provide high-strength solutions? We’ll take a look at a few of them below, including:
What Types of Fasteners Are Used in Oil and Gas Applications?
Virtually all types of fasteners can be used in the oil and gas industry — from nuts and bolts to screws and studs. There are tons of structures, tools, and devices that rely on a range of different fasteners to perform as intended.
But if you know anything about oil rigs and refineries, you know that not just any fastener will work for certain applications. They’re home to many types of heavy-duty equipment like mud pumps, drills, engines, and pipelines. Plus, they’re often built in rugged offshore or remote locations. So in order to obtain, refine, and transport oil safely, they need some of the strongest specialty fasteners on the market.
RELATED: Need a specialty bolt, screw, or stud? Wilson-Garner can help.
3 Important Fasteners for Oil and Gas Applications
So what are some of these ultra-strong fasteners for oil and gas applications, and what specific jobs do they accomplish? We’ll touch on three of the most common below.
1. ASTM A193 B7 Studs
Often referred to as the staple of the oil and gas industry, ASTM A193 B7 studs are by far the most highly used fastener in these facilities. Their main job is to flange pipes and valves together.
To boost their durability and longevity even in the toughest environments and climates, ASTM A193 B7 studs are usually coated in polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), commonly known and trademarked as Teflon. Teflon is a popular coating for oil and gas applications for a couple of reasons, including:
- Corrosion resistance
- Chemical resistance
- Slippery feel that makes studs easier to thread
*It’s important to note that since ASTM A193 B7 studs are often needed in such large quantities, we don’t generally manufacture them here at Wilson-Garner.
2. Place Bolts
Place bolts are self-locking, free-spinning hex head bolts that effectively prevent loosening due to vibration. They’re different from traditional bolts in that their heads, not their threads, are responsible for the locking action. This feature has been proven to give Place bolts up to seven times more vibration resistance than traditional hex head cap screws. It’s what makes them a great choice for oil and gas applications like mud pumps.
There are three types of Place bolts:
- AA Place bolts have a symmetrical six-slot head with an undercut. They’re the original 1950s Place bolt designed by Charles Place himself.
- B Place bolts have a five-slot asymmetrical head with an undercut. They’re Wilson-Garner’s first improved rendition of the design.
- BH Place bolts have the same five-slot asymmetrical head and undercut as B Place bolts, but with an oversized head. They’re Wilson-Garner’s further improved Place bolt design, and they are capable of providing the highest level of vibration resistance.
With all of that information, it’s good to know that BH Place bolts are the best choice for oil and gas applications. While the other two types work well, the BH design will provide the greatest benefit for the longest amount of time.
3. Service Parts
The oil and gas industry is full of vehicles, motors, structures, and all kinds of support machinery that need fasteners to operate effectively. Within the field’s rugged environments, these fasteners suffer a good amount of wear and tear. This means oil and gas facilities must have a large selection of service parts readily available to them.
Some of these service parts include:
- Wheel studs
- Hex bolts
- Machine screws
- Nuts
- Gaskets
Get Durable Oil and Gas Fastener Solutions at Wilson-Garner
When you need tough, you can trust us. With over 70 years of experience manufacturing specialty fasteners, our team has delivered many durable, high-quality fastener solutions to help oil and gas facilities keep up with the demands of their industry. For more information on how we can help you, contact us online.
