Geomet flange bolts are primarily fabricated from high – quality materials, carefully selected to balance strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. Carbon steel is a commonly used base material, especially in grades such as 4.8, 8.8, and 10.9.
Geomet flange bolts are primarily fabricated from high - quality materials, carefully selected to balance strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. Carbon steel is a commonly used base material, especially in grades such as 4.8, 8.8, and 10.9. Lower - grade 4.8 carbon steel provides fundamental strength, making it suitable for general - purpose fastening tasks where load requirements are relatively moderate. Higher - grade carbon steels, like 8.8 and 10.9, can be heat - treated to significantly enhance their tensile strength, hardness, and toughness, enabling them to withstand heavier loads and more arduous mechanical stresses. This makes them ideal for industrial and construction projects that demand robust fastening.
For applications requiring superior corrosion resistance, stainless steel is the material of choice, particularly grades 304 and 316. 304 stainless steel offers good general - purpose corrosion protection, making it suitable for indoor and many outdoor applications with moderate environmental exposure. 316 stainless steel, with its higher molybdenum content, provides enhanced resistance to harsh chemicals, saltwater, and extreme conditions, making it the preferred option for marine, chemical, and food - processing industries, as well as outdoor projects in coastal areas or high - humidity environments.
The defining feature of Geomet flange bolts is the Geomet coating, a specialized surface treatment applied to the base material. Geomet coating consists of zinc flakes, aluminum flakes, chromates, and binders, which together form a dense, uniform, and adherent film on the bolt surface, significantly enhancing its corrosion - resistant properties.
The product line of Geomet flange bolts includes various models categorized by size, length, thread type, material grade, and flange design:
Standard Geomet Flange Bolts: Available in a wide range of metric and imperial sizes, standard bolts cover diameters from M6 to M36 in the metric system and from 1/4" to 1 - 1/2" in the imperial system. These bolts feature a regular thread pitch and a basic flange design with a flat surface and a circular shape. Standard Geomet flange bolts are suitable for general - purpose fastening tasks in machinery assembly, equipment installation, and construction projects, providing a reliable and cost - effective solution.
High - Strength Geomet Flange Bolts: Engineered for heavy - duty applications, high - strength bolts are made from higher - grade materials, often alloy steel or high - strength carbon steel with grades like 12.9. These bolts have larger diameters and longer lengths to handle substantial tensile and shear forces. They are indispensable in industrial settings for securing heavy machinery, large - scale structural components, and equipment operating under high loads and vibrations. High - strength Geomet flange bolts may also have a thicker flange or additional reinforcing features to enhance their load - bearing capacity.
Special - Feature Geomet Flange Bolts:
Fine - Thread Geomet Flange Bolts: With a smaller thread pitch compared to standard bolts, fine - thread models offer increased adjustment precision and enhanced resistance to loosening. They are commonly used in applications that require fine - tuning, such as in precision machinery, optical equipment, and high - end electronics assembly, where a more secure and accurate fastening is necessary.
Large - Flange Geomet Flange Bolts: These bolts feature a larger flange diameter, providing a greater bearing surface area. This design is ideal for applications where distributing the load over a larger area is crucial, such as in soft or brittle materials, or when a more stable connection is required to prevent surface damage or deformation.
Anti - Vibration Geomet Flange Bolts: Engineered to resist loosening caused by vibrations, anti - vibration bolts may incorporate features such as serrated flanges, self - locking threads, or additional locking elements. The Geomet coating, combined with these anti - vibration features, ensures that the bolts remain securely fastened even in high - vibration environments, such as automotive engines, industrial machinery, and transportation equipment.
The production of Geomet flange bolts involves multiple precise steps and strict quality - control measures:
Material Preparation: High - quality raw materials, such as steel bars or rods, are carefully sourced. Rigorous inspections are carried out to verify the chemical composition, mechanical properties, and surface quality of the materials, ensuring compliance with production standards. Metal materials are then cut into appropriate lengths according to the specific size requirements of the bolts.
Forming: Metal bolts are typically formed through cold - heading or hot - forging processes. Cold - heading is commonly used for smaller - sized bolts. In this process, the metal is shaped into the desired head (including the flange), shank, and thread form using dies in multiple stages. This method is efficient for high - volume production and can create accurate thread forms and bolt shapes. Hot - forging is applied to larger or higher - strength bolts, where the metal is heated to a malleable state and then shaped under high pressure to achieve the required strength and dimensional accuracy.
Threading: After forming, the bolts undergo threading operations. Thread rolling is the preferred method as it creates a stronger thread by cold - working the metal, improving the fatigue resistance of the bolts. Specialized threading dies are used to ensure the thread pitch accuracy, thread profile, and compatibility with corresponding nuts or tapped holes. For bolts with specific thread requirements, such as fine - threads or specialized thread forms, additional precision machining may be necessary.
Heat Treatment (for high - strength materials): Bolts made from high - strength materials like alloy steel or high - grade carbon steel often undergo heat - treatment processes, including annealing, quenching, and tempering. These processes optimize the mechanical properties of the bolts, increasing their strength, hardness, and toughness to meet the stringent requirements of specific applications.
Geomet Coating Application: The Geomet coating process is a critical step. First, the bolts are thoroughly cleaned to remove any contaminants, oil, or residues. Then, they are immersed in a water - based solution containing zinc flakes, aluminum flakes, chromates, and binders. After immersion, the excess solution is drained, and the bolts are cured at a high temperature, usually around 300°C. During the curing process, the components of the solution react to form a dense, uniform, and highly corrosion - resistant coating on the bolt surface.
Quality Inspection: Every batch of Geomet flange bolts is subject to rigorous inspection. Dimensional checks are performed to ensure that the bolt's diameter, length, thread specifications, head size, and flange dimensions meet the standards. Mechanical tests, including tensile strength, hardness, and torque tests, are conducted to verify the load - bearing capacity and durability of the bolts. Coating thickness and adhesion tests are also carried out to ensure the quality of the Geomet coating. Visual inspections are performed to check for surface defects, cracks, or improper coatings. Only bolts that pass all quality tests are approved for packaging and distribution.
The Geomet coating is the key surface treatment for these bolts, offering unique advantages over traditional coatings:
Geomet Coating Application: As mentioned, the Geomet coating process starts with cleaning the bolts to ensure a clean surface for coating adhesion. The bolts are then immersed in the Geomet solution, which evenly coats the entire surface, including complex geometries and threads. After immersion, the bolts are cured at high temperature. This curing process causes a chemical reaction within the coating, resulting in a dense, inorganic film that adheres tightly to the metal surface. The coating thickness can typically range from 5 - 15 microns, providing excellent protection against corrosion.
Corrosion Resistance Mechanism: The Geomet coating's corrosion resistance is attributed to multiple factors. The zinc and aluminum flakes in the coating act as sacrificial anodes, corroding preferentially to protect the underlying steel. The chromates in the coating help to passivate the metal surface, forming a thin, protective oxide layer. The uniform and dense structure of the Geomet coating also prevents the ingress of moisture, oxygen, and corrosive substances, effectively isolating the metal from the environment. Compared to traditional zinc - based coatings, Geomet coating offers superior corrosion resistance, often capable of withstanding over 1000 hours of salt - spray testing.
Additional Benefits: Besides corrosion resistance, the Geomet coating provides other advantages. It has good lubricity, reducing friction during bolt installation and removal, which can save time and effort. The coating is also environmentally friendly, as it contains less heavy metal content compared to some traditional coatings. Additionally, the Geomet coating has excellent heat resistance, maintaining its integrity and performance at high temperatures, making it suitable for applications where thermal exposure is a concern.
Geomet flange bolts are widely used across multiple industries and applications:
Construction Industry: In construction, Geomet flange bolts are used for fastening wooden structures, metal framing, and installing building components. Their excellent corrosion resistance makes them suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications, ensuring the long - term stability and integrity of the structures. They are commonly used in the connection of steel beams, columns, and in the installation of precast concrete elements.
Automotive and Transportation Industries: In the automotive industry, Geomet flange bolts are used in engine assembly, chassis construction, and suspension systems. Their high - strength and anti - vibration properties, combined with superior corrosion resistance, make them ideal for withstanding the harsh operating conditions of vehicles, including exposure to road salts, moisture, and vibrations. In the transportation sector, such as for trucks, trains, and ships, these bolts are used for securing various components, ensuring the safety and reliability of the vehicles during operation.
Marine and Offshore Industry: In marine and offshore applications, where exposure to saltwater, high humidity, and harsh weather is constant, Geomet flange bolts are highly valued. The Geomet coating's exceptional corrosion resistance protects the bolts from the corrosive effects of the marine environment, preventing structural failures due to corrosion. They are used for fastening ship hull components, offshore platforms, and marine equipment.
Industrial Machinery and Equipment: In industrial settings, Geomet flange bolts are used for assembling and maintaining heavy machinery, equipment enclosures, and conveyor systems. High - strength models can withstand the heavy loads and vibrations in industrial environments, while the Geomet coating protects the bolts from industrial pollutants and chemicals, extending their service life and reducing maintenance costs.
Electrical and Electronics Equipment: In the electrical and electronics industries, Geomet flange bolts are used for securing electrical enclosures, panels, and components. Their corrosion resistance ensures the reliability of the electrical systems, especially in environments where moisture or humidity may be present. The fine - thread models are suitable for precision assembly, providing a secure and accurate fastening for delicate electronic components.
Superior Corrosion Resistance: The Geomet coating provides outstanding corrosion resistance, far exceeding that of traditional zinc - based coatings. This makes Geomet flange bolts suitable for use in the most corrosive environments, such as marine, chemical, and industrial settings, ensuring the long - term reliability and durability of the fastened components.
High Strength and Load - Bearing Capacity: Depending on the material grade, Geomet flange bolts offer excellent strength. High - strength models, made from alloy steel or high - grade carbon steel, can withstand significant tensile and shear forces, making them suitable for heavy - duty applications in construction, industrial machinery, and transportation.
Secure and Stable Fastening: The flange design of these bolts provides a larger bearing surface area, distributing the load more evenly and reducing the risk of surface damage or deformation. This, combined with the option of specialized features like anti - vibration designs, ensures a secure and stable fastening, even in high - vibration or dynamic load applications.
Ease of Installation: The Geomet coating has good lubricity, reducing friction during installation. This makes it easier to tighten and loosen the bolts, saving time and effort during assembly and maintenance processes. Standard tools can be used for installation, further enhancing the convenience of these bolts.
Environmental Friendliness: Compared to some traditional coatings, the Geomet coating is more environmentally friendly, containing less heavy metal content. This makes Geomet flange bolts a more sustainable choice for applications where environmental considerations are important.
Versatility: Available in a wide range of sizes, materials, thread types, and designs, Geomet flange bolts can be easily adapted to different application requirements. Whether it's a precision - focused task in the electronics industry or a heavy - duty construction project, there is a suitable Geomet flange bolt model available, providing a versatile fastening solution across multiple industries.