Understanding the Characteristics of Torque Tightening for Effective Fastening

Proper torque tightening using hydraulic wrenches is an essential process for achieving reliable and robust fastening in critical mechanical assemblies across industries.

However, understanding the characteristics of torque tightening, especially when using hydraulic wrenches, is the key to truly optimizing the fastening process for any given application.

What is Torque Tightening?

Torque tightening refers to the process of tightening bolts, nuts, and other threaded fasteners to a specific target torque value using a properly calibrated torque wrench or another torque-controlled power tool, such as a pneumatic torque wrench or electric torque wrench.

Calibrated Torque Wrenches

By using a properly calibrated torque wrench, you can ensure that your fasteners are tightened to the proper torque and achieve the desired preload. The amount of force applied needs to be monitored carefully, as too much or too little force can lead to problems.

Key Characteristics of Torque Tightening

There are several critical factors and parameters that characterize the torque tightening process:

Torque-Tension Relationship

There is a direct correlation between the tightening torque applied to the

fastener and the axial preload, or clamp load, generated in the fastener. Understanding this relationship is crucial for selecting the appropriate torque value to achieve the target preload.

The torque-tension relationship is influenced by parameters like fastener size, thread pitch, lubrication, grip length, and more.

Friction

Friction occurs at the threads while tightening and under the fastener head/washer interfaces. It accounts for a significant portion of the torque applied to the fastener.

By reducing friction, it is possible to convert more of the applied torque into useful preload. As a result, proper lubrication of the threads and interfaces is essential.

Tightening Speed

The speed at which tightening occurs impacts how quickly the desired clamp load is achieved in the joint. Slower speeds allow more time for the fastener and joint components to align and settle before full clamping occurs.

Excessively high speeds can cause impact tightening and result in inaccuracy when it comes to torque readings.

Bolt Relaxation

Preload relaxation occurs after the initial tightening due to elastic interactions between the fastener and joint components. Based on the particular materials involved, this relaxation needs to be purposefully over-torqued to make up for it.

Shop Tools for Effective Torque Tightening at ALLTORC

Understanding key characteristics like the torque-tension relationship, friction, and tightening speed is critical for engineers to select suitable parameters and optimize tightening.

Here at ALLTORC, we offer a range of torque tools, such as hydraulic wrenches and battery torque wrenches, to optimize your torque tightening process. The most recent technology supports our tools, and our knowledgeable team can provide specialized solutions for your unique needs.