As is the case for all military hardware, mil-spec fasteners must adhere to stringent rules and regulations. This is why it’s imperative to source military fasteners with great care.
For example, if you’re purchasing fasteners or bolts for the aerospace industry, you need to ensure they comply with the National Aerospace Standard (NAS fasteners). Therefore, you cannot simply purchase any old fasteners from any old company.
With that being said, in this post, we’re going to provide you with some critical pieces of advice on how to source mil-spec fasteners with care.
What should you look for when purchasing mil-spec fasteners?
When looking for a company to provide you with military hardware, there are a number of factors you need to consider.
Compliance and certifications
There’s only one place to begin, and this is by making sure that the company is certified and can meet the official military standard.
The Air and Defense industry is regulated heavily. Every part utilized in manufacturing for defense contract work must meet stringent standards.
If you select a military fastener supplier that adheres to such standards, you won’t have to go through the laborious task of carrying out several independent checks to ensure quality and safety.
Furthermore, a certified fastener inventory makes sure you always adhere to changing and strict compliance standards.
Some of the certifications you should look out for include the following:
- ISO 13485:2016
- ATF 16949
- DFARS
- AS9100 Rev D
- ISO 9001:2015
- ITAR
These are just a handful of examples. Of course, the industry you operate in and the application will determine the exact standards required.
Excellent customer service
The military supply chain network can be complicated, to say the least. So, it’s vital to interact with employees who understand your business and the complexities you face.
Understand how you will communicate with the company. Does communication take place via email or telephone? Will you have a dedicated account manager? Is there an online dashboard you’ll gain access to? These are the sort of questions you should ask.
An outstanding reputation
When choosing a supplier for military or aerospace fasteners, it’s vital to check out their website and become familiar with their services.
It’s also worth taking the time to read reviews that have been left by past customers online.
This is a great way of finding out whether or not the supplier is reliable and if their fasteners deliver the high levels of quality you require.
Full lot traceability
Last but not least, full lot traceability is imperative when it comes to the military supply chain. This is also known as material traceability in manufacturing or lot control.
With lot traceability, you can track parts through each stage in the supply chain back to the original source or manufacturer. Lot traceability is even applicable to raw materials, so you’ll know exactly where they came from.
In the military sector, you need to know where parts have come from if there’s ever an issue. Just as critical, you must have the ability to recall other parts in a lot if you ever come across a problem.
Make sure you choose a supplier that offers full lot traceability and follows DFARS compliance. These programs tend to come with material certificates, test certification, batch traceability, Certificate of Conformance (CofC), plating certificates, and FAIR (or First Article Inspection Review).
The importance of mil-spec standards when choosing a supplier
The performance standards expected from military-grade hardware and materials are exceptionally high to make sure the equipment operates as intended throughout its service.
These stringent standards have been designed to ensure military fasteners are manufactured to certain tolerances using specific performance materials and techniques.
The construction plating, finishes, and materials employed will considerably influence how the fasteners perform.
For instance, temperature resistance enables fasteners to withstand exposure to fluctuating, low, or high temperatures. In naval and aerospace applications, they could be exposed to extremely low temperatures deep in the water or high in the atmosphere. Therefore, temperature resistant aerospace fasteners are a must.
Corrosion resistance is also imperative, ensuring fasteners maintain their integrity when exposed to corrosive compounds and the elements for a prolonged timeframe.
Ensure quality by choosing a supplier for mil-spec fasteners with care
As you can see, there is a lot that needs to be considered when looking for a supplier to provide industrial components for the military.
To ensure your exact specifications are met, follow the advice that we’ve provided above. After all, you cannot afford to cut corners when it comes to purchases of this nature.
