Aerospace Fastener Surface Treatments: The Complete Guide to AMS Coatings for High-Performance Aircraft Fasteners

In the aerospace industry, every fastener is a safety-critical component. Whether installed on an aircraft engine, landing gear, flight control system, or structural assembly, aerospace fasteners must perform reliably under extreme temperatures, vibration, cyclic loading, and corrosive environments.

Selecting the correct surface treatment is just as important as choosing the right material. An improper coating may lead to hydrogen embrittlement, thread galling, premature corrosion, or fatigue failure.

At Chuanghe Fasteners, we have over 30 years of experience manufacturing custom non-standard fasteners for demanding industries. Our engineering team helps customers select the most appropriate aerospace-approved surface treatments according to material properties, operating environments, and customer specifications.

Why Surface Treatments Are Critical in Aerospace Applications

Aircraft fasteners operate under conditions that are far more demanding than those found in automotive or industrial equipment.

Typical challenges include:

• Extreme temperatures from -55°C to over 600°C

• Continuous vibration and cyclic fatigue

• Salt spray and marine environments

• High preload requirements

• Lightweight structural design

• Long service life

• Strict aerospace certification standards

A properly selected coating protects the fastener while improving assembly reliability and extending service life.

Common Surface Treatments for Aerospace Fasteners

1. Zinc Nickel Plating (AMS2401)

Zinc Nickel plating has become one of the preferred environmentally friendly coatings for modern aerospace fasteners.

Advantages

• Excellent corrosion resistance

• Salt spray resistance up to 1,000+ hours

• Low hydrogen embrittlement risk

• High wear resistance

• Cadmium replacement for many civil aviation programs

Typical Applications

• Aircraft structural bolts

• Landing gear components

• Airframe fasteners

• High-strength steel fasteners

2. Cadmium Plating (AMS-QQ-P-416)

Cadmium plating has long been the aerospace industry's benchmark for corrosion protection and lubricity.

Benefits

• Outstanding corrosion resistance

• Excellent thread lubricity

• Prevents thread seizure

• Suitable for high-strength steel fasteners

Although many commercial aircraft programs are transitioning to Zinc Nickel for environmental reasons, Cadmium plating remains widely used in legacy military and aerospace systems.

3. Silver Plating (AMS2410)

Silver plating is widely used for aerospace engine fasteners operating under high temperatures.

Advantages

• Excellent anti-galling performance

• High-temperature lubrication

• Stable performance up to approximately 480°C

• Improved assembly consistency

Applications

• Engine nuts

• Turbine fasteners

• Exhaust system hardware

4. MoS₂ Dry Film Lubricant (AMS2518)

Titanium fasteners are prone to thread galling during installation. MoS₂ (Molybdenum Disulfide) dry film lubricant effectively reduces friction and prevents thread seizure.

Advantages

• Very low friction coefficient

• Excellent anti-galling performance

• Suitable for titanium bolts

• Reliable under vacuum and aerospace environments

This coating is widely applied to titanium aerospace fasteners after anodizing.

5. DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) Coating

Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coatings provide exceptional hardness and wear resistance for high-performance aerospace components.

Benefits

• Extremely low friction coefficient

• Outstanding wear resistance

• Excellent fatigue performance

• Suitable for moving components

• High-temperature stability

Applications

• Landing gear systems

• Flight control mechanisms

• High-cycle aerospace fasteners

6. Shot Peening

Shot Peening is a mechanical surface enhancement process rather than a coating, but it is essential for improving fatigue strength.

Advantages

• Increases fatigue life

• Reduces crack initiation

• Improves stress resistance

• Enhances durability under cyclic loading

Shot Peening is commonly specified for aerospace structural bolts and landing gear components.

Surface Treatment Selection by Material

Selecting the right surface treatment depends on the base material.

Why Choose Chuanghe Fasteners

For more than three decades, Chuanghe Fasteners has been supplying precision-engineered fastening solutions for demanding industries around the world.

Our capabilities include:

• Custom Aerospace Fasteners

• Precision CNC Machining

• Cold Heading Manufacturing

• Prototype Development

• High-Volume Production

• OEM & ODM Manufacturing

• Engineering Support

• Surface Treatment Selection

• Global Export Experience

Every project is manufactured according to customer drawings, technical specifications, and quality requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best surface treatment for aerospace fasteners?

The answer depends on the application. Zinc Nickel plating is commonly used for structural steel fasteners, while Silver Plating and MoS₂ Dry Film are preferred for high-temperature and titanium applications.

Why is Cadmium plating still used in aerospace?

Cadmium provides excellent corrosion protection, lubricity, and compatibility with high-strength steel fasteners. Although environmentally restricted in many industries, it remains specified in certain aerospace and defense programs.

Why are titanium fasteners coated with MoS₂?

Titanium has a high tendency to gall during tightening. MoS₂ Dry Film Lubricant significantly reduces friction, prevents thread seizure, and improves assembly reliability.

What is the purpose of Shot Peening?

Shot Peening introduces compressive residual stress on the component surface, improving fatigue strength and extending service life for highly loaded aerospace fasteners.

Is Silver Plating suitable for aircraft engines?

Yes. Silver Plating offers excellent anti-galling properties and maintains lubricity at elevated temperatures, making it ideal for engine nuts, turbine fasteners, and exhaust system hardware.

Which coating provides the highest wear resistance?

Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating offers one of the highest levels of hardness and wear resistance available for aerospace applications, while maintaining a very low coefficient of friction.

Can Chuanghe manufacture custom aerospace fasteners with aerospace-approved coatings?

Yes. Chuanghe Fasteners manufactures custom bolts, screws, nuts, pins, and precision CNC components with aerospace-grade surface treatments based on customer specifications, international standards, and project requirements.

Partner with Chuanghe Fasteners

When your project demands precision, reliability, and engineering expertise, Chuanghe Fasteners is your trusted manufacturing partner.

With over 30 years of experience in custom non-standard fasteners, precision CNC machining, and aerospace surface treatment selection, we help aerospace manufacturers optimize component performance, durability, and long-term reliability.

Whether you require prototype development or large-scale production, our team is ready to provide customized fastening solutions tailored to your aerospace application.