Nails provide vital support during construction, utilized in a variety of shapes, sizes and material compositions. Surprisingly, the most widely used type is constructed from alloyed steel, an amalgam of iron and carbon bolstered with components such as manganese, chromium, silicon and molybdenum.
Hammering away at the job, the size of nails used in construction is of great importance. Comprised of both length and shank diameter, measuring the point of the nail to the end of the shank records the nail’s length. Across its widest part, its diameter is measured. Often used are 10d, 12d, 16d, and 20d nails.
Comparing on the basis of size, a 10d nail measures 3.25 inches in length and 0.148 inches in diameter, while the 12d version ups the length to 3.5 inches and keeps the width fixed. The 16d and 20d nails maintain the width of 0.162 inches and 0.180 inches respectively, but boast an increase in length to 3.75 inches and 4 inches, respectively.
Differentiating them from each other by their head shape, nails are grouped into four distinct categories. Among the most frequently recognized is the common nail, characterized by a slightly widened round head with respect to the shank. A blunt nail, on the other hand, has a flat head with precisely the same thickness as its shank. As opposed to common nails, offset round heads have an offset head that is outwardly even with the surface of the lumber. Finally, the checkered nail features a diamond-shaped head with textures on the sides that prohibit slippage during insertion in wood.
The composition of the nails dictates their classification. Steel is the most typical, created by combining iron and carbon along with manganese, chromium, silicon, and molybdenum. Alternate nails are available as well, such as those made out of stainless steel, copper, aluminum, and titanium.
Blending uncoated and covered screws, the most obvious nails are the simple and transparent forms. To take it a step further, other nails are galvanized, a process that shields them with a delicate film of zinc to stop the steel from rusting and getting corroded.