Fastener Basics
Fasteners are the essential components that hold structures, machines and assemblies together. Whether threaded or non‑threaded, every fastener is defined by a combination of features such as its head style, drive type, material, dimensions and finish. This page introduces the fundamentals and provides links to deeper guides within the FastenerFix technical library.
Historical Context
Modern fasteners are the result of two parallel engineering traditions: the imperial thread systems developed in Britain and the United States, and the metric systems that later became the global manufacturing standard. These histories explain why different thread forms still coexist today.
Core Features of a Fastener
Every fastener can be understood through five key characteristics. Each topic below links to a dedicated page that explains the feature in more detail.
Related Fastener Types
Nuts and washers are essential companions to screws and bolts. These pages introduce their functions, forms and common standards.