From Stress Indicators Inc.
Given the complexities and variances involved with even properly interpreting a torque settings chart, it's not surprising that achieving proper design tension using torque measurements is like shooting at a moving target. This is why reliance on torque values alone should no longer be an acceptable practice, especially when proper installation and maintenance of design tension is critical for safety concerns or when joint failures can result in costly down times. The BEST way to accurately determine tension in a bolted joint is by measuring actual fastener elongation under load. In other words, the true way to measure the force exerted on the fastener shank, that holds the joint together, is to monitor how much the bolt has been stretched.
Only DTI SmartBolts® use fastener elongation to visually indicate whether a bolted joint is within design tension (within +/-10%). DTI SmartBolts indicate whether a bolted joint is loose or tight with a clear, visible indicator that gradually darkens from bright red to black as the fastener is tightened.
Products & Services
A screw is a wide-encompassing type of hardware fastener that attributes its mechanical capabilities to the helical groove that extends around the circumference of the device's shank. These threads provide the friction and traction that serves a screw's purpose: to assemble or position two workpieces in relation to each other. While used synonymously, screws and bolts are not mechanical clones.
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Topics of Interest
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