Fasteners are the unsung heroes of industrial design—quietly holding together everything from circuit boards and automotive panels to furniture and consumer electronics. At Volt Industrial Plastics, we know that fasteners aren't just about form and function. They also communicate critical information through their color, shape, and size. Think of it as a “secret language” used by Volt in order to streamline production, ensure safety, and simplify maintenance.
Color in plastic fasteners isn't just cosmetic—it’s functional. Using colored fasteners is an efficient way to visually differentiate components, reduce assembly errors, and meet compliance standards.
COLOR CODING FOR FUNCTION
Red: Often indicates high-temperature resistance or is used for emergency applications.
Blue: May designate low-voltage systems or non-conductive materials.
Green: Frequently used in eco-friendly or recyclable products.
Black & Natural (white/off-white): The most common standard colors for general use.
Custom Color: Most commonly used when plastic fasteners need to match a company logo or design.
Volt Industrial Plastics offers custom color-matching capabilities using a wide variety of thermoplastics. Whether your application requires UV resistance or chemical inertness, we can match both form and function with the right pigment blend.
ASSEMBLY LINE EFFICIENCY
In high-volume manufacturing, color-coded fasteners significantly speed up the assembly process. Workers can quickly identify the correct part, reducing mistakes and increasing throughput.
SHAPES THAT SERVE A PURPOSE
The shape of a fastener is more than a design decision—it directly affects its performance and application.
HEAD STYLES
Pan Head: Ideal for surface mounting, providing a wide bearing surface.
Flat Head: Designed to sit flush with the material, often used in countersunk holes.
Round Head: Used when aesthetics and smooth finishes are important.
Truss Head: Offers extra-wide bearing surfaces for thin materials.
DRIVE TYPES
Phillips: Common for general-purpose applications.
Slotted: Traditional and compatible with flat-blade tools.
Torx® / Star: Provides better torque transfer and resists cam-out.
Hex: Frequently used in tight spaces requiring wrench or socket installation.
Each shape and drive type is a silent communicator, telling engineers and assemblers how the fastener is meant to be used—and in what kind of material or environment.
SIZING: THE CORE OF COMPATIBILITY
Size is where precision meets performance. A fraction of a millimeter can make the difference between a secure fit and a system failure.
LENGTH AND DIAMETER
Fastener length determines grip range—the thickness of the materials being joined.
Diameter affects load-bearing capacity and shear strength.
THREAD SIZE AND PITCH
Fine threads are better for hard plastics or metal inserts.
Coarse threads provide superior grip in soft or thick plastic materials.
Volt offers thousands of SKU options across standard and metric sizes, with customization available for unique or proprietary requirements.
Interpreting the “language” of a fastener isn’t just about design and assembly—it’s also about ensuring quality. At Volt Industrial Plastics, we work closely with customers to define the ingredients needed early on in the design process. This proactive approach reduces rework, accelerates time to market, and ensures long-term performance.
Understanding the secret language of fasteners empowers engineers, designers, and procurement teams to make smarter decisions. It turns a seemingly simple component into a strategic asset that saves money, enhances product integrity, user safety, and production efficiency.
Whether you're looking for a custom-colored push rivet or need help choosing the ideal thread pitch for a new plastic housing, Volt Industrial Plastics is ready to help you speak the language of fasteners fluently.
Let’s build something that lasts—one smart fastener at a time. Contact VOLT today and let us help you and your company with all of your plastic fastener needs!