The future trends in the fastener market for new energy vehicles will revolve around the deepening development of high strength, lightweight, functional integration, and intelligent manufacturing, while extending towards green manufacturing and intelligent monitoring, driving the industry's transformation from "standard parts supply" to "system solutions."
Continuous Breakthroughs in Materials and Structures
Increasing Proportion of High-Performance Stainless Steel Fasteners: Due to their good balance between corrosion resistance, strength, and lightweight, high-performance stainless steel fasteners are expanding from local applications to key structural components such as battery packs and chassis. Industry analysis indicates that the proportion of high-performance stainless steel fasteners used in new energy vehicles will continue to rise.
Accelerated Penetration of Composite Materials and Special Alloys: PEEK, titanium alloy, and carbon fiber reinforced fasteners are increasingly used in high-end models, meeting the demand for weight reduction of over 40%, and are particularly suitable for high-reliability scenarios such as motor housings and electronic control units.
The Rise of Functional and Intelligent Fasteners
Insulation and Anti-Coefficient Corrosion Design Become Standard: For high-voltage electric systems, special bolts with insulating washers and silver/ceramic coatings will become mainstream, ensuring electrical safety.
Intelligent fasteners have entered the R&D and implementation stage: Bolts with built-in strain sensors can monitor changes in preload in real time and provide early warnings of loosening risks. They have already been tested and applied in prototype vehicles from automakers such as NIO and Li Auto.
The widespread adoption of structural adhesive + fastener composite connections: Reducing the number of openings, improving fatigue life and sealing performance, has become an important connection method for CTC/CTB battery structures.
Comprehensive Promotion of Intelligent Manufacturing and Digital Management
The widespread adoption of digital twins and AI quality inspection: Leading companies have achieved full-process digital control from raw material warehousing to finished product delivery, increasing production efficiency by more than 30% and controlling the defect rate below 0.8%.
Accelerated expansion of intelligent production lines: Companies such as Zhejiang Keshuo are promoting intelligent technical transformation projects for an annual production of 50 million lightweight fasteners, replacing manual inspection with pneumatic gauges, doubling efficiency.
Increased traceability requirements: Fasteners must support full traceability of parameters such as torque, batch, and anti-slip coefficient, meeting industry standards such as QC/T 326-2025.
Green Manufacturing and Sustainable Development Become Rigid Requirements
Environmentally friendly surface treatment technologies replace traditional processes: Green processes such as chromium-free zinc plating, Dacromet coating, and trivalent chromium passivation are gradually replacing cyanide-containing electroplating, complying with EU carbon tariffs and Tesla's supply chain environmental standards.
A closed-loop recycling system has been established: Some companies have begun recycling and reusing waste fasteners, achieving the circular use of special alloy materials and reducing carbon emissions.
