• Aeronautical Standard (AN) Hardware
• National Aeronautical Standard (NAS) Hardware
• Military Standard (MS) Hardware

The modern aerospace industry demands high-precision hardware and various types of uniquely specialized fasteners. Standard off-the-shelf hardware typically lacks the precision, reliability, and/or special features required for advanced flight applications – not to mention the necessary regulatory compliance. That’s why distributors throughout the industry increasingly turn to custom aerospace hardware manufacturers like Superior Machining & Fabrication.

Utilizing advanced Swiss turning and other complex CNC machining techniques, we can produce virtually any common type of aerospace hardware in accordance with the industry’s strict specifications.

Comparing AN, NAS, and MS Standards for Aerospace Fasteners and Hardware:

Aeronautical Standard (AN) Hardware

The Aeronautical Standard (AN) was created in the 1930s to standardize aircraft and military hardware, ensuring quality and reliability in addition to interchangeability across different manufacturers and military branches. Although AN standards have mostly been superseded by NAS or MS standards below, some older AN hardware is still found within legacy aircraft or unique applications.

• AN42 – AN365 – Airframe bolts, cable components, caps, fittings, machine screws, nuts, rivets, other screws.
• AN366 – AN656 – Locking pins, clevis components, cotter pins, hardware pins, nut plates, rod ends, screws.
• AN665 – AN117080 – Aerospace bolts, clamps and fittings, gaskets, locking washers, nuts, pins, rings, rivets, rod ends, screws, splices, standard washers, studs, terminals.

National Aeronautical Standard (NAS) Hardware

The National Aeronautical Standard (NAS) for aerospace hardware was developed in the 1950s to simplify the hardware identification and overall procurement process. Simultaneously, it established new high-precision, high-performance standards for aerospace hardware quality and reliability. NAS hardware is now widely used in specification of both commercial and military aviation hardware.

• NAS1 – NAS330 – Aerospace bolts, bushings, clevis ends, fittings, rivets, rods, screws, spacers, washers.
• NAS333 – NAS491 – Bearing components, bolts, clamps, control rods, nut plates, pins, plugs, rod ends, screws, washers.
• NAS492 – NAS574 – Bolts, bushings, clamps, lubrication fittings, machine screws, nuts, pins, studs, washers.
• NAS577 – NAS1044 – Brackets, bushings, machine bolts, miniature screws, nuts, rings, washers.
• NAS1045 – NAS1221 – Bolts, collars, fittings, inserts, nuts, pins, rivets, screws, spacers, specialized hardware.
• NAS1222 – NAS1401 – Clamps, eye bolts, inserts, locking hardware, inserts, nuts, pins, rivets, screws, shoulder bolts, washers.
• NAS1402 – NAS1994 – Bolts, clamps, fittings, nuts, inserts, o-rings, rivets, screws, structural hardware.

Military Standard (MS) Hardware

Military Standard (MS) standards are developed and maintained by the US Department of Defense, covering not just aerospace but also military ground vehicles, naval ships, and other military equipment. MS hardware is used extensively throughout today’s military applications in which precision, durability, and compliance with strict specifications are critical.

• MS9168 – MS16108 – Bearings, bolts, clamps, fittings, gaskets, nuts, o-rings, pins, plugs, rivets, screws, shop supplies, washers.
• MS16187 – MS16634 – Bolts, dowel pins, nuts, lock rings, and studs.
• MS16637 – MS20253 – Machine keys, nuts, shoulder screws, and terminals.
• MS20257 – MS21261 – Bearings, bolts, electrical, hinges, nuts, pins, pulleys, screws, washers.
• MS21262 – MS24371 – Bolts, cap screws, clamps, fasteners, fittings, nuts.
• MS24388 – MS24405 – Flared and flareless fittings.
• MS25083 – MS27640 – Bearings, bolts, clamps, fittings, hinges, electrical components, nuts, screws.
• MS28782 – MS35691 – Cap screws, machine screws, nuts, retainer rings, switches, terminals, washers.
• MS35743 – MS172370 – Carriage bolts, clamps, fittings, gaskets, inserts, lock washers, nuts, rings, rivets, set screws.

Superior Quality Fasteners and Hardware Made in the USA Since 1995

Backed by more than 25 years of quality American machining services, Superior knows the importance of accommodating higher precision and design complexity for today’s custom hardware. With over 100+ CNC workcenters at our disposal, including high-precision Swiss machining technology, our company tackles the custom hardware manufacturing requirements for customers throughout the Muenster, Texas region and across the nation.