Determining the effect of lubrication on the security of bolted joints

11 April 2017

By Holly B. Martin

Ref: FFT170411

Lubricants provide many benefits to a bolted joint. They ease the amount of energy required to tighten the bolt; they provide better wear resistance; they make disassembly much easier; and they prevent corrosion that can permanently weld surfaces together. However, the use of a lubricant on the threads and under the bolt head – whether solid film, grease or oil – adds a layer of uncertainty to the security of the joint.

Ref: FFT170411