Fasteners used in Formula 1

[PlatinumZealot]

I have always found fasteners; Nuts, Bolts, rivets and other types very interesting. I especially like when you can fasten something using a smaller, lighter, more secure fastener, so I have begun to try to get more exposure to the different kinds of fasteners that are out there. I understand that in Formula 1 you have to make parts as light and as compact as possible, this is usually helped by using very strong materials. Sometimes you even want a fastener that has a certain function, like a quick release fastener for example. But anyway, my knowledge on fasteners is limited at best, so I hope that by creating this thread the ones that have knowledge in the area can shed some light and expose the rest of us to the high tech fasterners used in Formula 1 (or any high tech fastener for that matter).

I don't have a contribution but I have a query. The fastener that is used to hold the bell-crank and torsion springs together as always piqued my interest. The cool thing about that fastener is that I cannot see it but I know something is there in the bore of the bell-crank. Maybe we can begin by examining that one?

[RacingManiac]

I don't think the fasteners themselves are that "high tech" per se. F1 uses a lot of aerospace grade stuff, and most of that just means that they are made with higher tolerance control, comes with paperwork for EACH nuts and bolts so in the even of the failure the part can be traced back to when/how/who/what made that fastener. There are probably some specialty stuff use for bolting into say a magnesium casing or something that a regular steel bolt can't be use. But in most cases I think they are still high strength steel parts.

Back in the FSAE days one of the bolts we used on the car was a supposed F1 grade "12 points dimple head" AN flange bolt...all I can say is for a 5/16" bolt, it costs $120 EACH...

[Jersey Tom]

Zip ties

[747heavy]

maybe you find some of these interesting.

http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com/im ... outhco.pdf

http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com/im ... nashhb.pdf

http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com/im ... rilled.pdf

http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com/im ... /hilok.pdf

http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com/im ... cknuts.pdf

as was mentioned, most of the fasteners used come out of the aerospace industry.

I hope that helps a bit, and get´s you started.

[flynfrog]

maybe you find some of these interesting.

Also if you work in aviation the reference book they sell is worth its weight in Hastelloy

[bettonracing]

http://www.spiralock.com/

Unsure about their F1 participation but I can validate their claims of being able to withstand harsh environments (850degF + 8g's @ 75Hz for 18hrs, nut rotated <2deg).

Regards,

H. Kurt Betton

[riff_raff]

n smikle,

Lots of titanium fasteners are used because they are lightweight and have good compatibility with carbon composites. Care must be taken with titanium fasteners though, since their threads readily tend to gall/seize. Titanium is also very notch sensitive, so any fastener that is nicked or gouged must be replaced.

Multiphase steel alloys (like MP35N) are used where very high strength is needed, but not corrosion resistance.

718 Inconel has a good combination of strength, corrosion resistance and high temperature capability.

13-8PH stainless has good strength and corrosion resistance.

Hope that helps.
riff_raff

[martij]

While I don't have direct F1 experience I made some screws for a Sikorsky subcontractor and I remember they had holes through the head so the mechanics could run a wire through each screw. The idea was they might loosen but the wire would prevent more than a few degrees of rotation so parts wouldn't you know fall off.

I've also tapped spiralock threads in titanium for medical (leg) implants and they work great there too.

SPS Technologies says they make F1 fasteners here and here.

As for your actual question based on the brawn shown here (0:19) it looks like there is flange that bolts to the bell-crank. The flange in turn has a broached hole that mates with a serrated shaft on the torsion spring.

[Mystery Steve]

Zip ties

He said F1, not FSAE... If you didn't know any better, you would think FSAE has a minimum zip tie rule in order to compete. One of our cars literally wouldn't run without them...

[marcush.]

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/attachmen ... 000897.jpg

not detached but you can see a bit there..

[thestig84]

While I don't have direct F1 experience I made some screws for a Sikorsky subcontractor and I remember they had holes through the head so the mechanics could run a wire through each screw. The idea was they might loosen but the wire would prevent more than a few degrees of rotation so parts wouldn't you know fall off.

I was going to mention good old wire locking. I am an aircraft engineer, couple years ago I remember seeing a contemporary Williams at Goodwood and being surprised at the amount off components wire locked. Also the fairly poor standard they were carried out too!

[marcush.]

While I don't have direct F1 experience I made some screws for a Sikorsky subcontractor and I remember they had holes through the head so the mechanics could run a wire through each screw. The idea was they might loosen but the wire would prevent more than a few degrees of rotation so parts wouldn't you know fall off.

I was going to mention good old wire locking. I am an aircraft engineer, couple years ago I remember seeing a contemporary Williams at Goodwood and being surprised at the amount off components wire locked. Also the fairly poor standard they were carried out too!

to own a hammer does not tell you how to use it..

[tok-tokkie]

http://www.spiralock.com/

Unsure about their F1 participation but I can validate their claims of being able to withstand harsh environments (850degF + 8g's @ 75Hz for 18hrs, nut rotated <2deg).

Regards,

H. Kurt Betton

I was unaware of that simple & elegant solution. Very impressive.

[marcush.]

www.mulsannescorner.com/AcuraARX-02-3.html
www.mulsannescorner.com/audir10-5.html

or check this ..some good pictures of Renault when you scroll down..
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthre ... 783&page=3


or that one:

http://www.elephantracing.com/suspensio ... otated.jpg

[DaveKillens]

Here's a simple application that is very common. It's basically six bolts torqued down, and secured by safety wire.



I'm sure that those who know aviation would fail this safety wire attempt. The idea for safety wire is first, to keep the bolt from backing out, and secondly, if it does back out, to minimize the damage. If you examine the bolt at 12 o'clock, it is obvious the bolt could back out quite a bit before the safety wire contained it. The bolts at 2, 6, and 10 o'clock aren't going anywhere, although I would do over 10 o'clock because the safety wire appears to be handled harshly, and has a few odd bends that don't belong.

The actual wire for the job has to be considered carefully, just any old iron wire won't do. In my day, inconel was the standard.

Here's a specialized tool just for the job.


I like this model because it has some rubber between the cutting jaws. Think it through, you are safety wiring, and complete the final twist. Then you cut the wire back ...... but you're not doing your job if that short cut of wire flies off and lodges itself in some important position. So the rubber captures the cut wire, and allows the technician to do a proper job without spreading wire and crap around the aircraft/car.