Lock bolts are special type of fasteners that withstand external contaminants like water or air and vibrations to provide lasting strength to the joints. Some industries that use locking fasteners are aerospace, defense, medical and automotive.

Depending on the type of application, you can opt for different types of lock bolts such as locking wheel bolts, locking lug bolts, locking surface bolts and locking header bolts. For example, to avoid theft of tires from vehicles, try using wheel lock bolts. Use split lock header bolts to ensure that bolts do not loosen because of vibration or heat.

Some important parameters you must consider before you buy locking bolts are:

1. Corrosion compatibility of the bolt material with the joint material
2. Required dimensions to suit the other parts of the equipment
3. Required quantity of locking bolts
4. Operating environment

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy self-locking bolts

You can use a variety of reusable and non-reusable self-locking bolts, according to your application needs. Embedded O-Ring bolts are the most common type of self-locking bolts used in various industrial locking bolts applications.

I recommend: APM Corp. a manufacturer of a wide variety of self-sealing fastening products offers reusable self-sealing bolts for high-pressure applications. Long-Lok Fasteners is another reputable manufacturer of self-locking bolts for equipments such as engines, gearboxes, cable connectors, pressure sensors, gauges, pipefittings, water pumps and hospital beds.

Purchase locking bolts for vibration resistance

Vibration is one of the key reasons that cause bolts to loosen up, leading to equipment failures. Check out locking bolts offered by various locking bolt distributors and manufactures that provide locking bolts for different applications.

I recommend: Asymmetric Fasteners manufactures bolts with asymmetric threads that provide vibration resistance. JEGS High Performance can supply split lock header bolts that are reusable and easy to install.

Purchase other types of lock bolts

In addition to self-locking bolts and vibration resistant lock bolts, you can also check out other types of lock bolts available in the market to buy the most appropriate locks bolts for your application needs.

I recommend: RAD USA Direct, a leading distributor of fasteners and car accessories, provides a wheel lock bolt in various dimensions. Avdel can supply you with a range of high strength and tamper resistant lock bolts useful in various heavy-duty applications such as construction, bridge building, cabinets and enclosures. You can also buy lock bolts for various industrial and aerospace applications from Alcoa, a diversified manufacturer that serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction sectors.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ensure that your lock bolts supplier follows the standards adapted by your design engineers.
• •  Refer to the locking bolt manufacturers' instructions about the maximum allowable torque for the locking bolt. Bolt manufacturers generally indicate it symbolically on bolt heads.