PUBLISHER: Stratview Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1729058
PUBLISHER: Stratview Research | PRODUCT CODE: 1729058
The aircraft fasteners market size was US$ 8.1 billion in 2024 and is likely to grow at a decent CAGR of 2.8% in the long run to reach US$ 10.2 billion in 2032.
Market Dynamics
Introduction
Aircraft fasteners are critical components used to join or secure various parts and structures of an aircraft, playing a vital role in ensuring the aircraft's structural integrity and safety. These fasteners are specifically engineered to withstand the extreme forces, vibrations, and stresses experienced during flight. Their primary function is to securely hold together essential components such as panels, wings, landing gear, engine parts, and other vital systems. An aircraft employs a wide range of fasteners, each with distinct properties and design features tailored for specific applications, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
Recent Market JVs and Acquisitions:
A huge number of strategic alliances, including M&As, JVs, etc., have been performed over the past few years:
By Aircraft Type
"Commercial aircraft are expected to remain the largest demand generator for fasteners in the coming years."
The aircraft fasteners market is segmented into commercial aircraft, regional aircraft, helicopters, military aircraft, and general aviation. Commercial aircraft is anticipated to dominate, mainly due to high passenger demand and frequent maintenance needs. Larger fleet sizes and higher usage frequency in commercial aviation, compared to military or general aviation, also contribute significantly to its dominance in the market. Key drivers of this growth include increased production rates of major aircraft programs, the launch of fuel-efficient commercial models, the introduction of new programs such as the C919, B777x, and MC-21, and the expanding global aircraft fleet.
Military aircraft is the second-leading category of the market, as the demand for advanced fighter jets has increased significantly in recent years. The rising geopolitical tensions and security challenges have pushed many countries to upgrade their air forces, leading to heavy investments in the development and procurement of advanced fighter jets.
By Product Type
"Nuts are projected to maintain their position as the leading product of the market throughout the forecast period, while rivets are anticipated to grow at the fastest rate during this time."
The market is segmented into bolts, rivets, nuts, screws, pin fastening systems, and other product types. Nuts are projected to remain the dominant product, primarily due to their extensive use in aircraft assembly, where they are paired with bolts or screws to secure structural components. Their versatility and ease of use, along with the fact that they can be easily removed and reused, make them an essential fastening solution, especially in situations where regular maintenance or part replacements are necessary. Also, the availability of different types of aerospace-grade nuts, like self-locking nuts, wrenchable nuts, flange nuts, etc., ensures compatibility with various applications and materials, contributing to their continued dominance.
In contrast, rivets are expected to witness the fastest growth over the next eight years, driven by their benefits, including high strength, durability, resistance to vibration, quick installation, reliability, and ease of inspection and maintenance. Besides being strong and reliable, rivets are also quick to install and easy to check or replace during maintenance. These practical features make them a popular choice both when building aircraft and when carrying out repairs.
By Fastener Type
"Non-specialty fasteners are expected to continue dominating the market, while specialty fasteners are anticipated to grow at a faster pace."
The market is segmented into specialty fasteners and non-specialty fasteners. Non-specialty fasteners are projected to remain the dominant fastener type in the market during the forecast period due to their cost-effectiveness compared to specialized options. Non-specialty fasteners include common fasteners like nuts, bolts, and screws, which are widely used across various aircraft systems for their reliability, availability, and ease of installation. Their simplicity and lower cost make non-specialty fasteners a preferred choice for high-volume assembly tasks where advanced or customized solutions are not necessary.
However, specialty fasteners are anticipated to witness the fastest growth during this period, driven by advantages such as quicker assembly and suitability for surfaces that cannot accommodate holes. These fasteners are designed for specific or challenging use cases where traditional fasteners may not be ideal. These benefits are prompting airframers, notably Airbus, to transition from traditional fasteners to specialty options, particularly blind fasteners.
By Application Type
"The airframe is projected to remain the largest application area and is also expected to record the fastest growth during the forecast period."
The market is segmented into the airframe, flight control surfaces, interior, engine, and other application types. The airframe is the central framework and the largest structure in an aircraft, consisting of the fuselage, wings, empennage (tail section), and landing gear, most of which are secured with fasteners. The massive number of fasteners needed for the airframe, along with their crucial role in maintaining the aircraft's safety and performance, creates a steady and high demand in this category.
Aircraft airframes go through regular inspections, maintenance routines, and experience wear and tear from flight stress, environmental factors, and material fatigue. These challenges often require fasteners to be replaced or reinforced to ensure the aircraft remains airworthy.
By Material Type
"Titanium is expected to remain the most preferred material and the fastest-growing material type in the coming years."
The market is segmented into titanium, steel, and other materials. The ongoing replacement of steel and other heavy metal-based fasteners with titanium fasteners is driven by their lightweight nature, excellent strength-to-weight ratio, and corrosion resistance. These properties are particularly important in aircraft, where weight reduction enhances fuel efficiency and payload capacity.
There is good compatibility between titanium and composite structures, creating a shift in industry players to switch towards titanium fasteners despite their high cost. A350, B787, and military aircraft programs, such as F-22, F/A-18, F-35, and the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, are among some of the key aircraft programs that have incorporated large quantities of titanium components, including fasteners. Additionally, titanium fasteners offer reliable and durable fastening solutions, further contributing to market growth during the forecast period.
Regional Analysis
"North America is projected to remain the leading market in the coming years, while the Asia-Pacific region is expected to experience the fastest growth."
North America is expected to remain the largest market for aircraft fasteners during the forecast period. As the region's primary growth driver, the USA boasts the world's largest fleet of military aircraft and one of the largest commercial fleets. Key OEMs in the USA, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopter, Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, and Cessna Aircraft Company, contribute significantly to the demand for fasteners.
Meanwhile, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to experience the highest growth during the same period. China and India are the main drivers of this growth, fueled by increasing demand for commercial aircraft to meet rising passenger traffic, the establishment of assembly plants for Boeing and Airbus in China, and the commercial launch of the indigenous COMAC C919 commercial aircraft.
The market is moderately concentrated, with some local, regional, and global players. Most of the major players compete on some of the governing factors, including price, product offerings, regional presence, etc. The following are the key players in the aircraft fasteners market.
Report Features
This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept so that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:
Aircraft Fasteners Market, by Aircraft Type
Aircraft Fasteners Market by Product Type
Aircraft Fasteners Market, by Fastener Type
Aircraft Fasteners Market, by Application Type
Aircraft Fasteners Market, by Material Type
Aircraft Fasteners Market, by End-User Type
Aircraft Fasteners Market, by Region
Research Methodology