As the diameter of the fastener increases, what happens to the amount of allowable gap?

As the diameter of the fastener increases, the amount of allowable gap generally increases. This is primarily due to the fact that larger fasteners can accommodate greater tolerances without compromising the structural integrity of the assembly.

In engineering, especially in aerospace applications, the design specifications for fasteners often include a certain gap allowance to ensure that components can fit together correctly and that potential movement or thermal expansion can occur without causing issues. Larger fasteners create a more robust connection and can handle more significant discrepancies in alignment or spacing than smaller ones can.

In smaller fasteners, even minor deviations can lead to misalignment or inadequate strength, while larger fasteners can provide a buffer against these issues, thus increasing the allowable gap as their size increases. Awareness of these tolerances is crucial for ensuring safe and reliable assembly in aerospace applications, where precision is necessary for functionality and performance.