Standard, specialized fasteners provide complete composite component solutions

The Perlane Engineered Fastening Systems Division of Component Solutions Group (CSG, Dayton, Ohio, U.S.), backed by a team of seasoned experts, specializes in the design and development of high-performance fasteners for composite materials. “We want engineering teams to understand that we are a complete component solution,” says sales engineer and business development representative Chris Seidell. “We’re working side by side with engineers across all industries.”

From the initial design phase to prototyping and testing, CGS works closely with engineering teams across various industries to ensure high quality and performance. Each joint can be customized for the specific project and its distinctive requirements, which could involve multiple vendors to make each part. This would include specially designed blind fasteners and compression limiters to address the challenges of working with a variety of composite materials. CGS notes that its solutions are especially effective when having to attach components to fiberglass and other plastics.

For instance, CSG offers many solutions for applications where strength and corrosion resistance are essential. A recent aerospace challenge involved connecting a windscreen to a composite structure on a military heavy-lift helicopter. The base of the graphite/carbon fiber epoxy composite structure varies in thickness from 0.125-0.500". The customer needed a fastener that was strong enough to hold on the windscreen, resist corrosion and prevent rotation built into the part. The solution developed was the “Teardrop” rivet nut fastener, a stainless steel, thread-locked, dry film-lubricated, special head configuration rivet nut.

“One issue that became apparent was that composites manufacturers couldn’t use hex holes, which is the best practice for rivet nuts to prevent spin-out. Since composite material cannot be punched the way that sheet metal can be, it was imperative that the CSG team came up with a part that met the torque requirements but didn’t damage the mating material while still being corrosion-resistant.”

Another solution developed to address these issues is the Optisert round body rivet nut. This specialized part features aggressive wedges under the head, which press into the parent material to increase resistance to spin-out. This enhancement provides a stronger thread in softer materials like plastic, fiberglass and aluminum.

The company has also worked with several OEMs on attaching components to rotomolded plastic materials (notorious for having very wide tolerances) or for applications that require the use of compression limiters, which can be customized and manufactured according to the customer’s specifications.

Models of some of CGS’ recent design solutions can be viewed at its booth.