Bolt Torque Basics
Bolt Torque Basics T orque is used to create tension. Bolts are used to affix two components so that they can resist tensile (pulling apart) and shearing (sliding apart) forces. After the nut has been turned onto the bolt, additional torque causes the nut to turn and stretch the bolt. Torque is the application of force acting at a radial distance and tending to cause rotation; this is also called torque loading. It's used to create tension in threaded fasteners. When the nut and bolt are tightened the two plates are clamped together. It is so important to realize the difference between torque and clamping force. Torque is the application of force acting at a radial distance and tending to cause rotation; this is also called torque loading. It ’ s used to create tension in threaded fasteners. When the nut and bolt are tightened the two plates are clamped together. The thread converts the appli...