By Aircraft Type
“Commercial aircraft is expected to remain the dominant as well as the fastest-growing aircraft type of the market.”
Based on aircraft type, the market is segmented into commercial aircraft, military aircraft, helicopter, regional aircraft, and general aviation. Commercial aircraft lead due to high passenger demand and frequent maintenance needs. Larger fleet sizes and higher usage frequency in commercial aviation, compared to military or general aviation, also contribute significantly to its dominance in the market. All the leading players, namely Howmet Aerospace, Lisi Aerospace, and PCC Corp., supply fasteners, nuts, rivets, etc. for major aircraft programs such as A350, A320, A330, B777, B787, and B737.
In 2024, Boeing and Airbus delivered 1,114 aircraft (Boeing delivered 348 aircraft and Airbus delivered 766 aircraft), a 12% decline from 2023 deliveries (1,263 aircraft delivered in 2023, Boeing delivered 528 aircraft and Airbus delivered 735 aircraft).
By Application Type
“Airframe is likely to remain at the forefront throughout the study period.”
The market has been segmented into airframe, engine, flight control surfaces, interiors, and other applications. The airframe is the central framework of the aircraft, consisting of the fuselage, wings, empennage (tail section), and landing gear. Nuts are used in various airframe applications where secure fastening is essential, such as in joints & braces and panels & skins. The fuselage is the biggest section of the airframe, a typical narrow-body aircraft fuselage has a length of about 33.6 meters and a height of about 4 meters. It deploys hundreds of thousands to millions of fasteners. The fuselage houses the crew, passengers, and cargo, and nuts secure the panels, frame assemblies, and structural elements like the vertical stabilizer or horizontal stabilizer.
With the growing interest in titanium parts, owing to their lightweight and galvanic compatibility with composite structures, there is a rising demand for titanium nuts in airframe applications.
By Nut Type
“Wrenchable nuts are likely to remain the largest as well as the fastest-growing nut type during the forecast period.”
The market has been segmented into wrenchable nuts, barrel nuts, nut plates, and other nuts. Wrenchable nuts are standard nuts with a threaded design that can be tightened and loosened using a wrench, offering a reliable and easily accessible fastening method. They are commonly used in aircraft structural assemblies, engine mounts, landing gear, and control linkages, where secure and precise fastening is required. Landing gear to fuselage, engine pods to wings, and nacelle and fuel tank attachments are typical of the many places barrel nuts are used.
By Material Type
“Steel nuts are likely to maintain their dominance in the market throughout the study period.”
The market has been segmented into steel nuts, titanium nuts, aluminum nuts, and other nuts. The aerospace industry primarily relies on alloy steel and stainless steel for their strength, durability, and corrosion resistance. Among stainless steels, 304 and 316 grades are the most widely used grades due to their high performance, excellent resistance to harsh environments, and reliability in critical applications.
CRES series C300 stainless steel is a popular choice for aerospace fastener covers, screws, bolts, and nuts due to its high strength and corrosion resistance. However, its heat resistance is relatively low, making it more suitable for applications where extreme temperatures are not a primary concern.
Fasteners used in aero-engines differ from those used in airframes or interiors as they have to withstand extreme temperature and pressure environments. Apart from titanium nuts, A286 alloy nuts are widely used in aircraft engines. These alloys are well known for their excellent oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures. Good compatibility exists between titanium and composite structures, creating a shift in industry players to switch toward titanium nuts despite their high cost.
By Locking Type
“Self-locking nuts took the throne in the market during 2024 and are likely to maintain their lead during the forecast period.”
The market has been segmented into self-locking nuts and non-self-locking nuts. Self-locking nuts are widely used in aircraft to prevent loosening due to vibration, stress, and temperature variations. Key applications of self-locking nuts are engine components: all-metal lock nuts resist heat and vibration in engine nacelles, firewalls, and exhaust systems; landing gear: used in shock-absorber assemblies and wheel fasteners for high-load conditions; control surfaces: found in flaps, rudders, and stabilizers to ensure secure connections in dynamic loads; fuselage & wing structures: fastens structural joints, skin panels, and access covers; and avionics & interiors: nylon-insert nuts secure electrical components and cabin fittings.
By End-User Type
“OE is likely to remain the key demand-generator during the forecast period.”
The market is segmented into OE and aftermarket. OE is estimated to maintain its momentum, driven by upcoming aircraft programs, rising air passenger traffic, and huge order backlogs at the leading aircraft giants.
Aerospace & defense equipment, including aircraft and military vehicles, are designed to operate over extended periods. As these assets age, they require regular maintenance and replacement of parts, including nuts, to ensure continued reliability and performance. A significant portion of the global aircraft fleet is aging, which increases the frequency of maintenance and the need for replacement parts, driving demand in the aftermarket.
Regional Analysis
“North America is expected to remain the largest market during the forecast period.”
Despite several setbacks faced by Boeing over the past several years, North America still manages to maintain its leading position in the market. Airbus and its continuous success over the past couple of years are inevitably one of the key driving forces behind Europe’s second position. The USA to drive North America’s market, France and Germany to fuel Europe’s market, and China and India to impact Asia-Pacific’s market. A strong geographical foothold of leading players exists across regions. India, China, and the USA remain the thrust-bearers of the market in the long run.
