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Purpose of proper fastener torque

Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice question 17 of 33 on Aircraft Materials, Hardware, and Processes. ACS element AM.I.E.K10 · difficulty: recall. Want to answer it in a timed quiz? Use the Aviation Mechanic General (AMG) practice mode.

Question bank updated 2026-09-22

QUESTIONApplying the proper torque to nuts, bolts, studs, and screws allows the structure to develop its designed strength and greatly reduces the possibility of failure due to

  1. Acorrosion.
  2. Bthread stripping under shear loads.
  3. Cfatigue.
Show the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C. fatigue.

  • A — incorrect Corrosion protection comes from plating, washers, and material selection, not from the torque applied to the fastener.
  • B — incorrect The handbook links proper torque to safe load distribution and fatigue resistance; it does not describe torque as a guard against thread stripping.
  • C — correct Proper torque lets each member carry the load it was designed for and greatly reduces the possibility of fatigue failure.

BACKGROUND

As aircraft speed increases, each structural member becomes more highly stressed, so it is extremely important that each member carry no more and no less than the load for which it was designed. To distribute loads safely throughout a structure, proper torque must be applied to all nuts, bolts, studs, and screws. Using the proper torque allows the structure to develop its designed strength and greatly reduces the possibility of failure due to fatigue. Torque is applied with flexible beam, rigid frame, or ratchet-type torque wrenches, and when a bolt head rather than the nut must be turned, the maximum torque may be increased by the shank friction only if that friction is first measured with a torque wrench.

STUDY TIP

Connect torque to load: correct torque means the fastener carries its designed load, which is what prevents fatigue failure.

KEY POINTS

  • Proper torque distributes loads safely through the structure.
  • Proper torque lets the structure develop its designed strength.
  • Proper torque greatly reduces the possibility of fatigue failure.

SOURCES

  • FAA-H-8083-30B ch07 "Fastener Torque"
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SkyDrill is not affiliated with the FAA. This is an original practice item based on FAA-H-8083-30B Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – General, 14 CFR part 43 and part 65. Regulations and handbooks are revised; confirm details against the current edition.