The Role of Aviation Hardware in Aircraft Performance and Safety

Aircraft rely on various forms of aviation hardware to hold structures together, support mechanical motion, and generally reinforce systems. From simple fasteners to precision-engineered bearings, each component plays a specific role in maintaining airworthiness. In this blog, we will explore some of the many different types of aviation hardware and how they directly contribute to aircraft performance.

Aviation Fasteners

Aviation fasteners are indispensable for the structural integrity of aircraft, serving to secure various panels, joints, instruments, and assemblies. They are found in every section, keeping components and assemblies in place under constant vibration, high pressures, and varying temperatures.

Types and Design Features

There are many fasteners employed on aircraft, chosen for certain locations based on their mechanical strength and ease of replacement. The most notable subtypes include:

• Bolts: Present in load-bearing joints and engine mounts, bolts have a strong clamping force and are easy to disassemble during inspections or repairs.
• Nuts: Used to lock bolts in place, nuts prevent loosening under vibration.
• Screws: Common in interior paneling and light structural areas, screws provide flexibility for service access points.
• Rivets: Found in fuselage skin and wing paneling, rivets offer a permanent, flush-mounted fastening ideal for aerodynamic surfaces.

Due to the demanding nature of flight, aviation fasteners tend to be made from high-strength titanium, stainless steel, or aluminum alloys. Many are additionally coated with corrosion-resistant finishes or integrated with locking features like self-locking threads, making them even better suited for structural connections.

Aircraft Bearings

Aircraft bearings enable controlled rotation or linear motion in landing gear, engines, actuator systems, ailerons, and rudders. As such, they are vital for improving precision in movement and alignment, as well as reducing friction and wear.

Variants and Materials

Different aircraft bearing types are designed to meet specific operational needs, including:

• Ball Bearings: These suit high-speed, low-load applications like gyroscopic instruments and control column pivots. Their spherical rolling elements allow for multidirectional movement.
• Roller Bearings: Best used for heavy radial loads, these bearings have cylindrical rolling elements for enhanced strength in high-stress environments like landing gear struts and turbine shafts.
• Plain Bearings: Also known as bushings, these have no individual rolling elements and provide simple shock absorption, finding use in areas with oscillatory motion like flap actuators or gear doors.

Bearings for aircraft can be constructed from materials like chrome steel for strength, stainless steel for corrosion resistance, or ceramic hybrids for heat resistance.

Other Essential Aviation Hardware

Retainers and Clips

Instead of providing structural integrity in the face of significant loads, retainers and clips function as supportive locking or positioning devices. These components boast lightweight, resilient designs typically constructed with spring steel or high-performance plastics that allow them to maintain grip without permanent deformation. Found in areas like the fuselage, cockpit panels, and avionics trays, they uphold alignment and simplify disassembly for modular or regularly serviced assemblies. Common subtypes of retainers and clips include:

• U-Clips: These slotted metal clips slide over panels or flanges, gripping them securely without the need for tapped holes.
• E-Clips: These semicircular metal clips snap into grooves on shafts or rods, preventing axial movement.
• Snap Rings: These circular clips fit into machined grooves to hold bearings or other components within housings.
• Spring Retainers: These flexible metal forms retain pins or fasteners under tension, often being found in quick-release applications.

Grommets

Grommets are circular inserts placed into holes in panels to protect passing cables, tubes, and wiring from sharp edges. Made from rubber, silicone, or thermoplastic elastomers, they provide a soft, insulating barrier that helps prevent abrasion, vibration damage, and electrical shorts. These components are commonly found in avionics bays, instrument panels, and bulkhead pass-throughs, where numerous electrical or hydraulic lines must be routed through confined spaces.

Seals

Seals prevent the unwanted exit of fluids or gases present in fuel systems, hydraulic circuits, engine compartments, and pressurized cabins. As such, seals are built to withstand extreme temperatures, pressure differentials, and corrosion, being composed of materials like synthetic rubber or PTFE. Some of their many different types include:

• O-Rings: O-rings are circular seals used in both static and dynamic joints. Their ability to deform under pressure creates a tight seal in lines and pressurized fittings, making them versatile across low- and high-pressure applications.
• Lip Seals: Designed with a flexible, inward-facing sealing edge, lip seals are primarily used on rotating shafts, actuators, and motor assemblies, blocking the entry of dust, moisture, and other contaminants. Often reinforced with metal cases or springs, they are well-suited for high-speed environments.

Your Source for Quality Aviation Hardware

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