Torque, Friction, and Clamp Load Relationships Are Würth Knowing

Choosing the right torque for each fastener application depends on factors such as vibration, fastener finishes, cleanliness, and more.

Date Published:

Jul 22, 2024

Torque is the force that creates clamp load, which keeps an assembly together. However, only 10 percent of the torque’s force creates the clamp load—the other 90 percent is used to overcome the frictional forces against a fastener’s threads and its bearing surfaces. That’s why it’s important to understand an application’s frictional forces that your fasteners will be up against.

Using the correct torque is crucial to ensuring the security and safety of a joint. Applying too much torque can cause a fastener to break, but applying too little can cause joints to loosen.

So, what torque should you use for your fastener application? The answer depends on a number of factors, including the application’s vibration, fastener finishes, cleanliness, and more.

In Episode 1 of Würth’s educational YouTube series, Würth Knowing hosts Randy Lammers, technical instructor, and Aaron Keevan, quality engineering manager, discuss how different frictional factors can change the torque an assembly requires.

In Episode 2, Lammers and Keevan show how to determine what torque to use to achieve the correct load for each unique application. They also discuss how to control frictional forces using fasteners with different finishes and lubrication to change the clamp load.

Enhance your understanding of fastener engineering basics or share this knowledge with other departments and stakeholders in an entertaining, easy-to-digest format. Discover fastener innovations from across industries with Würth's entire educational video series.

Würth is the world market leader in industrial distribution, operating in more than 80 countries and offering best-in-class engineering solutions to its OEM customers. Würth Knowing, an industry-first educational video series, is hosted by two of Würth’s engineering experts with more than 55 years of combined industry experience. Würth believes that investing in manufacturing industry education is vital to fostering innovation and strengthening the industry.