ISO 1891:2009

Overview

ISO 1891:2009 - Fasteners - Terminology is an international standard that provides translation guidance and standardized terminology for fasteners. It establishes the official ISO terms in English, French and Russian and gives equivalent terms in other languages (Chinese, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, Swedish) for information only. The standard covers common fastener types (bolts, screws, nuts, washers, pins, rivets) and includes diagrammatic drawings to clarify meanings. ISO 1891:2009 is recommended for use unless an applicable product standard specifies otherwise.

Key topics

• Terminology and definitions for fasteners and related features (threads, head shapes, shank forms, driving features).
• Thread and feature classification, including sections on ISO metric threads, external thread features, ends of externally threaded fasteners, and driving types.
• Component categories such as bolts and screws, tapping and self‑drilling screws, studs, set screws, screw plugs, nuts, washers, pins and blind rivets.
• Diagrammatic illustrations to support term clarity (note: drawings are essentially diagrammatic, especially for special‑characteristic bolts/screws).
• Multilingual equivalence, providing official ISO terms in three languages and informational equivalents in six additional languages.
• Scope limitations: not all listed fasteners are covered by separate ISO product standards; many terms are drawn from national standards and some obsolescent types are included.
• Reproduction conditions: terms and definitions may be reproduced for educational or implementation purposes without modification, provided the standard is cited and reproduction is not for sale in dictionaries or similar publications.

Applications

ISO 1891:2009 is useful for:

• Design and manufacturing engineers ensuring consistent naming across drawings and BOMs.
• Technical translators and localization teams needing authoritative cross‑language equivalents for fastener terminology.
• Standards developers and committees harmonizing national product standards with ISO vocabulary.
• Procurement, quality and maintenance teams who require unambiguous identification of fasteners in specifications, procurement documents and maintenance manuals.
• Technical authors and educators producing manuals, instruction booklets and training materials (within reproduction conditions).

Related standards

• Use ISO 1891:2009 together with specific ISO product standards for dimensional, material and performance requirements of particular fastener types. ISO 1891 provides the vocabulary; product standards provide technical specifications.

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