Should You Clean Fasteners On A Regular Basis?

If you are in the manufacturing industry, one of the challenges you might end up facing is how to ensure that the fasteners holding some of the machines together perform optimally. Usually, how well this goes will determine a lot, including how much it will cost you to maintain the said equipment as well as how frequently you will need to maintain them. If you are the decision maker in such a setting, the goal should be to try and ensure that you get minimal problems from your fasteners.

There are several basic things you can do to achieve this. Some of these include making sure that the fasteners are put in place properly, and that they are checked on a regular basis. Making sure that they are made from the right material is also essential. For instance, if you want them to be light and strong, you can get titanium hex nuts or Monel 400 hex head cap screws. However, one other thing that most people neglect but which is actually very effective in maintenance of the fasteners is cleaning.

What does regular cleaning achieve?
When fasteners are cleaned on a regular basis, they are likely to be less prone to chemical damage, such as through rusting. In addition to that, it also reduces the risk of the fasteners sticking due to some of the dirt accumulating within the threads. This usually makes it very difficult to remove them, such as during maintenance or when replacing the machine. Lastly, regular cleaning of fasteners will also maintain the aesthetic quality of the facility.
What can you use to clean the fasteners?
What you can use to clean the fasteners largely depends on the type of fastener you are cleaning and the type of dirt you are trying to get rid of. For instance, if you are cleaning titanium fasteners that are covered in grease, you could opt to use hot water from a high pressure hose. The key to washing the fasteners carefully is making sure that you use a chemical that will not damage the fasteners. For instance, if you intend to use a bleaching agent, you should first find out if the chemical composition of the agent can react with the metal within the fastener. This will then give you information as to whether you should use it or not.

 
How frequently should this be done?
The frequency of cleaning the fasteners will depend on the sort of environment you are using them in. For instance, if the machinery is in a part of the plant that is usually kept sterile and very clean, you may not need to do much fastener cleaning. However, when it’s located in an area that is usually exposed to a lot of dirt, you may need to consider more aggressive cleaning to keep the fasteners in good shape.
In summary, keeping your fasteners clean is a great way to ensure that they last long and are easy to use in the long run. With the tips above, you can ensure that this is done with ease.