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What is Torque?

From Zo-Air Co., Inc.
 

 

Torque is a 'turning' or 'twisting' force and differs from tension which is created by a straight pull. However, torque is used to create tension.

How? As the nut and bolt are tightened the two plates are clamped together. The thread angle in the bolt converts the force applied into tension (or stretch) in the bolt shank. The amount of the tension created in the bolt is critical.

Why? When a bolt is tensioned correctly it is working at its optimum efficiency and will resist coming undone. However, if the tension is too low the nut could vibrate or work loose. If the tension is too high (overstretched), the bolt could break. Every bolt has a correct optimum torque/tension figure for each fastening application. It is important to have these figures available so that the end product will be safe, efficient and economical.

Product Announcements
Stress Indicators Inc. - DTI SmartBolts
Critical bolted joints often require exacting tightening procedures to establish the optimum clamp load. While tightening by torque wrenching methods is quick and easy, extensive tests have shown that... (read more)
Valley Forge & Bolt Mfg. Co. - Constantly Monitor Clamp Load on a Bolted Joint
Valley Forge & Bolt Manufacturing Co. is a manufacturer of hot forged standard and special fasteners with the capability to machine and roll thread to customer specifications. (read more)
Stress Indicators Inc. - SmartBolts Help FreeportMcMoRan Keep Drum On Track
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (FCX) is a leading international mining company with headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona. It operates the Morenci copper mine in southeast Arizona. Morenci is... (read more)
Rolex Spring, A Division of MW Industries - AI Series Springs
AI Series springs are designed to maintain load tension in light bolted assemblies, where a constant load is required. AI parts are typically manufactured from High Carbon or Alloy steel; AISI C1075... (read more)
MAGPOWR - TSU Under Pillow Block Tension Load Cells
Simply bolt the model TSU heavy-duty load cell under your present roll support bearings and they will accurately measure the tension forces on the machine sensing the roll created by the web. It can... (read more)
MW Industries - Custom Spring Washers
MW Industries custom designs and manufactures Belleville washers, disc and curved disc springs, serrated and slotted disc springs and wave washers, in standard steel and "exotic" materials, both heat... (read more)
Wyandotte Industries, Inc. - Nylon Insert Locknuts
Wyandotte Industries is currently manufacturing Nylon Insert Locknuts, specializing in larger sizes, including special and standard series dimensions. They produce nylon insert locknuts in low carbon,... (read more)
Wyandotte Industries, Inc. - SPECIAL NUTS
Wyandotte Industries products are used in automotive, construction and agricultural equipment, heavy-duty on/off-road vehicles, air frame and aircraft parts, diesel engines, and hydraulic cylinder... (read more)
Strainsert - Hex Head Cap Screws
Standard Hex Head Cap Screws (Steel Alloy), SXS Series Strainsert fasteners utilize an exclusive internal gaging method to indicate bolt tension due to preload with strain gage accuracy. Fasteners... (read more)
 
Topics of Interest
(Diagram A) As the nut and bolt are tightened, the two plates are clamped together. The thread angle in the bolt converts the force applied into tension (or stretch) in the bolt shank. The amount of... (Read More)
The function of a bolt is to provide a clamp load or preload (Fp) to sufficiently compress and stress the gasket and resist the parting forces exerted by the hydrostatic end force and other external... (Read More)
Torque wrenches are often regarded as a means to improve control over bolt preload in comparison with hammer-tightening methods. However, as indicated in Table A7.19, significant variation in... (Read More)
Science never solves a problem without creating ten more. George Bernard Shaw 6.1 Introduction An airplane has been described as 4 million parts flying in close harmony. Each of these... (Read More)
Engineers use a "nut factor" to relate a bolt's installation torque to the tension on it. But they need to understand the friction-related variables that contribute to the nut factor to... (Read More)