A flanged hex bolt has a washer-like flange cast into the hex head, allowing for proper displacement of torque and clamping force over a larger area. It is commonly used in the automotive industry and can shift clamping force over a greater range, saving soft aluminum components. Mild steel is the preferred metal for most automotive applications, while stainless steel and titanium are used in specific industries. Some applications require a smaller hex head for limited space, such as performance exhausts.
A flanged hex bolt is a bolt that has a washer-like flange cast into the hex head of the bolt. Designed to be used without the aid of a flat or lock washer, the flanged hex bolt is engineered to properly displace the bolt’s torque and clamping force over a larger area than that of a typical hex head bolt . Used heavily in the automotive industry, this type of bolt allows assembly line workers to install fasteners much faster than a comparable bolt and washer.
One advantage that the flanged hex bolt has over a comparably sized non-flanged bolt is its ability to shift the clamping force of the fastener over a greater range. On soft aluminum automotive engine components, using a standard hex head bolt could potentially crack and damage the area surrounding the bolt head. With this type of bolt, the clamping force is shifted to a larger area under the bolt head, thus saving the aluminum components. Valve covers, intake manifolds and water pumps are some of the aluminum components that often use a flanged bolt head as a fastener. Other automobile components that benefit from the use of the flanged hex bolt are the steering gear, steering column, and transmission.
Many metals are used in the manufacture of a hex flange bolt, from the common mild steel to stainless steel and titanium, and each type of bolt has a specific use. For most automotive applications, mild steel is the preferred metal for the flange bolt. This type of bolt allows for sufficient torque and will withstand several tightening cycles that might otherwise fatigue other types of fasteners. Stainless steel fasteners are most commonly used in food grade machinery and pipelines as well as caustic areas that could serve to corrode a mild steel fastener in minimal time. Titanium fasteners are used in aircraft and high performance applications where strength and light weight is required for each component.
Some applications of the flanged hex bolt require a smaller size hex head due to limited space around the fastener. Performance exhausts, such as headers, are one such application. Kinked and braided header pipes make it difficult to tighten or remove a header bolt. Therefore, this type of flange bolt uses a smaller hex head to allow more clearance around the fastener for tools.
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