why use plastic fasteners？

Plastic Fasteners Overview

Plastic fasteners, also referred to as fastener plastic , are fastening components manufactured from polymer materials such as nylon, polycarbonate, PEEK, or other engineering plastics. Common examples include plastic screws, plastic rivets fasteners, plastic snap fasteners, and plastic clips fasteners.

Plastic fasteners have become an essential component in modern manufacturing, especially in the automotive, electronics, construction, and industrial sectors. As industries continue to pursue lightweight design, corrosion resistance, and cost efficiency, plastic fasteners are increasingly replacing traditional metal fasteners in a wide range of applications. From plastic fasteners for cars to electronics housings and consumer products, plastic fastening solutions offer unique advantages that cannot be achieved with metal alone.

Key Reasons to Use Plastic Fasteners

1. Corrosion Resistance

The most compelling reason to choose a fastener plastic over a metal one is its inherent immunity to corrosion. Unlike steel or aluminum, plastic fasteners do not rust when exposed to moisture, salt, or harsh industrial chemicals.

In marine environments or chemical processing plants, metal bolts require expensive coatings or high-end stainless steel alloys to survive. Conversely, a standard plastic fastener made from materials like Polypropylene or PVDF can handle direct exposure to acids and alkalis without degrading. This longevity reduces maintenance costs and prevents the “seizing” of threads that often makes metal hardware impossible to remove.

2. Weight Reduction and the Automotive Revolution

The automotive industry is perhaps the largest consumer of plastic fasteners for cars. In the quest for fuel efficiency and extended range for electric vehicles (EVs), every gram counts. Plastic automotive fasteners provide a weight saving of approximately 60–80% compared to steel.

Common Types of Automotive Plastic Fasteners:

• Plastic Push Fasteners: These are widely used for securing interior door panels and trunk linings.

• Plastic Rivets Fasteners: Also known as plastic pop fasteners, these provide a permanent, vibration-resistant bond for wheel well liners.

• Plastic Snap Fasteners: Ideal for decorative trims where a clean, hidden finish is required.

• Plastic Clips Fasteners: Used for routing wire harnesses and fuel lines along the chassis.

3. Electrical and Thermal Insulation

For the electronics industry, the non-conductive nature of nylon fasteners is a safety requirement. Using plastic screws or plastic bolts on a circuit board prevents accidental short circuits that could occur with metal hardware.

Furthermore, fasteners for plastic parts in thermal applications act as a “thermal break.” In refrigeration or HVAC systems, using a plastic screw fastener prevents the transfer of heat through the fastener, improving the overall energy efficiency of the unit.

4. Versatility in Design: Types of Plastic Fasteners

The diversity of types of plastic fasteners allows engineers to solve complex assembly challenges that metal hardware cannot address.

• Self-Tapping and Thread Forming: Unlike metal screws that can crack plastic housings, inserts self tapping screws for plastic and specialized screws for plastic are designed to displace material gently. Thread forming screws for plastic create their own mating threads, ensuring a tight, vibration-proof fit.

• Plastic Press Fasteners: These allow for rapid, tool-less assembly on production lines, significantly lowering labor costs.

• Plastic Fastener Screw: Often used in medical devices where magnetic interference (MRI compatibility) is a concern.

• Plastic Anchor Screws: In construction, a plastic anchor screw (or expansion plug) provides the necessary grip in hollow walls or masonry.

5. Ease of Installation and Removal

Modern assembly lines prioritize speed. Plastic push fasteners and plastic snap fasteners can be installed in seconds by hand. This “push-to-lock” functionality is far more efficient than the torque-heavy installation of metal bolts.

To avoid breaking the delicate heads of car plastic fasteners, a specialized plastic fastener removal tool is used. These tools allow technicians to pop out plastic rivets fasteners without damaging the surrounding painted surfaces or plastic panels.

6. Material Performance

While nylon fasteners are the standard, the industry utilizes a wide range of “Super Plastics” for demanding roles:

• PEEK Bolts: Can withstand temperatures up to 250°C.

• POM (Acetal) Nuts: Offer high stiffness and low friction for moving parts.

• PVC Screws: Excellent for low-cost, water-resistant applications.

7. Cost-Effectiveness and Aesthetics

From a financial perspective, fasteners plastic solutions are generally cheaper to produce through high-volume injection molding. Furthermore, they offer aesthetic flexibility. Automotive plastic fasteners can be color-matched to the vehicle’s interior, eliminating the need for painting or capping metal screw heads.

Conclusion

Whether you are an automotive engineer selecting an automotive plastic fastener for a new EV model or a contractor using a plastic expansion screw for a home project, the benefits are clear. Plastic fastener screws and plastic nuts offer a unique combination of chemical resistance, electrical safety, and weight efficiency.