What Does
Turnbuckle Mean?
A turnbuckle is a mechanical device used to adjust the tension in ropes, cables, tie rods and other tensioning systems. It is also known as a stretching screw or a bottle screw. It usually consists of two threaded eye bolts, one screwed into each end of a small metal frame, one with left-hand threads and other with right-hand threads.
Corrosionpedia Explains Turnbuckle
Turnbuckles are used in many industrial applications that require a large amount of tension. The tension can be in the range of 10 grams for thin cables used in garden fences to thousands of the kilograms to hold large structures used in buildings and bridges. Turnbuckles are almost always used in harsh environments (moisture, acidic nature) and thus they need to be constructed of materials that can withstand the corrosive elements. This is one of the primary reasons that the manufacturing materials for turnbuckles should be corrosion-resistant. One material that shows such properties is high tensile strength stainless steel, which is used because it has properties of steel and is corrosion-resistant. However, small steps need to be taken to maintain turnbuckles:
- Routine cleaning with warm water and a cloth.
- Cleaning with mild detergent and a cloth.
- Use of stainless steel cleaner when warranted.