Plastic fasteners are growing in popularity in the industrial arts. Industrial plastic fasteners are designed to be heat resistant and non-corrosive. Companies switching to or using plastic fasteners should view the different plastic fasteners types and styles available to them. Learning the differences in plastic fastener types gives you the knowledge you need to find the right type of fastener for your products.

Plastic fasteners types and styles are categorized much like metal fasteners. Plastic pins, bolts and screws work just like metal products, but they are easier to use and can be customized. Nuts, bushings and caps are also available in plastic. These products can be interchanged with metal products. Rivets and push-in fasteners are easy to use and made of high quality industrial plastics.

1. Compare styles of pins, bolts and screws plastic fasteners.

2. Discover the variety of styles of nut, bushing and cap plastic fasteners.

3. View the available styles of rivets and push-in industrial plastic fasteners.

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Explore the different styles of pins, bolts and screws plastic fasteners

Pin, bolt and screw plastic fasteners are available in almost any color and can be customized or made to your specifications. Plastic pins, bolts and screws are categorized and sized the same as comparable metal products. These plastic products can also be used with metal nuts and washers.

I recommend: View a wide selection of color and clear plastic fasteners at Micro Plastics. Mutual Screw and Hardware sells an array of industrial plastic screw and bolt styles. United States Plastic supplies many plastic barbed fasteners for you to choose from.

View the styles available for nut, bushing and cap plastic fasteners

Plastic nuts bushings, caps and snap fasteners are made with industrial grade plastic. These fasteners are available in metric and standard measurements. Guides are available to match the plastic screws, bolts and pins with the proper nut, bushing or cap.

I recommend: Compare different industrial plastic fasteners at Craftech Industries. E and T Fasteners carries a wide selection of micro plastic fasteners. Choose plastic fasteners from the wide selection available at The Fastener Warehouse.

Locate styles of rivets and push in industrial plastic fasteners

Rivet and push in plastic fasteners are available in a variety of styles, including the plastic snap fasteners style. This style of plastic fastener is designed to work on its own with no need for nuts or bushings.

I recommend: Find plastic snap fasteners and rivets at ITW Fastex. The Rodon Group carries white and black plastic fasteners in the push in and rivet styles. Volt Industrial Plastics carries white plastic fasteners in an array of styles.

Plastics revolutionized the manufacture of items that once required metal, and the plastic fastener business is no exception. Each plastic fastener offers corrosion resistance, light weight and easy installation. They’re non-conductive in electrical fields and feature heat-resistant properties.

Plastic fasteners maintain their special features thanks to various plastic materials used in manufacturing, such as PVC, polypropylene and nylon. Automobiles, electronics, construction and appliances, to mention a few, need plastic fasteners in the assembling process. When browsing the websites to buy plastic fasteners, keep the following in mind:

1. Some websites list applications for particular plastic fasteners in the specifications, providing other business opportunities.

2. Save time: know the exact dimensions of the fastener you need, because most websites maintain extensive inventory specifications.

3. Quickly locate a plastic fastener by category, such as screws, and then within particular kinds of fastener sub-category, such as Phillips head screws.

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Get plastic screws to increase productivity with ease

Plastic screw fasteners provide insulation, impact strength and service in oil and other harsh environments. All the head types you're used to looking for in metal screws, such as pan slotted, hex socket cap and Phillips, apply to plastic screws as well.

I recommend: Click the type of plastic fastener required to obtain price and dimensions at Small Parts, Inc. Contact CP Plastic Fasteners or buy online for a wide selection that includes pan slotted, fillister crossed and flat head among others. Click by type for specifications; then click “Quote Request” for pricing at Volt Industrial Plastics, Inc.

Find plastic hook fasteners for retail businesses

Hook fasteners serve the garment industry for hanging gloves, scarves and light clothing.

I recommend: Click “Plastic Hook Fasteners” for standard 2-inch size in boxes of 5,000 at ABC Target Store Fixtures. For a 1.5-inch plastic hook fastener, go to Allen Designers, Inc.

Buy rivet plastic fasteners for many business applications

Plastic rivets find applications in furniture fabrication, computers, office equipment, electronics and appliances. Design factors determine function. Popular types include two-, three- and four-prong push-ins, oversized heads for aesthetic value, ratchet rivets, snap rivets and screw rivets.

I recommend: Select the plastic fastener for your particular job; then view the specifications and price for online orders at ITW Fastex-U.S. Go to Craftech Industries, Inc.; click “Rivets” to view their product line or “Contact Us” to order online or by phone.

Select from a nice inventory provided by plastic fastener distributors and manufacturers

These companies offer plastic screws, washers, spacers, bolts and plastic snap fasteners.

I recommend: Select a category, then a fastener type at Fastenal Company, with prices. Go to E & T Fasteners and request a quote after selecting from products that include black plastic fasteners, PVC and polypropylene. Find a nice selection of clear plastic fasteners with tiered discount prices at United States Plastic Corp.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When checking into plastic fasteners, know that some of the companies feature certain plastic compounds in their catalogs, but inventory other kinds of plastic material for the same fastener. If you need a material that isn't listed in the specs, ask.

Plastic fasteners offer a sound alternative to their metal counterparts. They often cost less than metal fasteners, and they also have to meet the same fit and dimensional thread class dimensions. Plastic snaps, screws, bolts, clips and other fasteners serve useful purposes in applications where end-use features like weight, electrical, thermal, environmental, chemical and optical are important criteria.

Whether you're in the market for, plan to sell, or intend to manufacture threaded or nonthreaded plastic fasteners, review key terminology connected to plastic fasteners so you make better informed business decisions. This guide addresses six terms: injection molding, Ultem, self-reinforced polyphenylene, Uni-Screw, Canoe Clips and Christmas Tree Clips.

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Injection molding

With regard to plastic fasteners, injection molding is a manufacturing process in which melted plastic is forced into fastener molds where it solidifies in its final shape.

I recommend: Learn more about the injection molding process and presses used by The Rodon Group, a manufacturer of plastic fasteners and other plastic components.

Ultem

Ultem is an amorphous polymer with excellent mechanical strength. It serves as a great replacement for metal fasteners because of its radiation resistance, natural flame retardant and microwave transparency properties. Ultem fasteners work well in water and hot air environments, as well as in medical and electronic applications. Ultem is the trademark name for polyethermide.

I recommend: Read more about Ultem 1000 and Ultem 2300 fasteners at the Craftech Industries website.

Self-reinforced polyphenylene (SRP)

Self-reinforced polyphenylene is an amorphous thermoplastic with high compressive strength and used in injection molding, compression molding and extrusion processes. It makes a suitable alternative to metal fasteners. The brand name for SRP is PrimoSpire.

I recommend: Get more information about PrimoSpire SRP at the Professional Plastics website.

Uni-Screw

Uni-Screw is the brand name of a metal screw-head and driver design that was developed by British engineers. It incorporates a series of tiered recesses that helps eliminate stripping and cam-out with high torque applications, reduces tooling costs and enhances assembly productivity. One of the primary advantages of the Uni-Screw is that it requires only one driver for several screw sizes. Volt Industrial Plastics and Uni-Screw Worldwide combined efforts to develop the Uni-Screw in plastic.

I recommend: Learn more about the Uni-Screw in Plastic at the Volt Industrial Plastics website.

Canoe Clips

Canoe Clips are lightweight push fasteners that snap into place and make great replacements for metal rivets and screws. They're best used in permanent applications, although they will withstand occasional removal.

I recommend: View a diagram of different Canoe clip head styles at Thread-Rite Screw Products.

Christmas Tree Clips

Christmas Tree Clips are plastic, push-in fasteners with a ribbed shank design that works well in either prepared or unprepared holes.

I recommend: View diagrams of a Christmas Tree Clip at the ITW Fastex website. Scroll down to read about different styles of Christmas Tree Clips at Fastening Systems.