Fastener

From Free net encyclopedia

A fastener is a hardware device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together.

Items like a rope, string, wire (e.g. iron wire, possibly coated with plastic, or multiple parallel wires kept together by a plastic strip coating), cable, chain, or plastic wrap may be used to mechanically join objects; but are not generally categorized as fasteners because they have additional common uses.

Fasteners are generally available in retail quantities - individually or in small pre-packaged amounts, or in carton quantity from distributors.

Other alternative methods of joining materials include crimping, welding, soldering, brazing, taping, gluing, cementing, or the use of other adhesives. The use of force may also be used, such as with magnets, vacuum (like suction cups), or even friction.

Many fasteners can also be used to close a container such as a bag, a box, an envelope. It may involve keeping together the sides of an opening of flexible material, attaching a lid to a container, etc. There are also special closing devices, e.g. a bread clip. A flexible bag can also be closed with a knot.

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