Re-useable bolts 1

[147fiona]

Is there such a thing as re-useable bolts?
I had read somewhere that it was not good practice to re-use bolts too many times.
Are there any codes or standards that define the recommended number of times that a bolt can be re-used.
Thanks

 

[Sciscoe]

Not sure about your application but I have used some "re-usable bolts" in a special application for anchoring to concrete. Manufactured by Powers Fastener, they provide data on reuse. The issue I found was accurate tracking of the number of uses and cost of keeping up with the number of uses in our environment.

 

[diamondjim]

If the bolts are primarily static loaded
and seeing very little dynamic loading
cycles, reuse them.

 

[bridgebuster]

I've worked a number of years in bridge construction, generally, an A325 bolt could be re-used provided:

a) the nut could run smoothly along the threads,
b) in wasn't fully torqued previously.

 

[dangnm]

Typically, if the bolts are non-structural, then reuse them all you want.

If the bolts are structural, and they have yet to be loaded or fully torqued, then reuse them. If the bolts have seen service loads, or have been torqued to their higher end, toss'em to be safe. Finally, if there are locking features on either the nut or bolt, toss the respective part unless there is specific data to support reuse.

At the company I work for, aircraft OEM, bolts needing to be reinstalled at the factory are not typically tossed as they are 1) very expensive, 2) torqued to values below yield, and 3) some have specific retorquing procedures based on the inherent locking features. However, bolts replace in the field are strongly recommended to be replaced, no matter what condition they appear to be in.

jetmaker