Fastener retention material and method

A metal sub-miniature fastener comprising a patch prepared from a powder fastener retention material comprising a nylon 11 powder having a median average particle size by volume of between 67 and 73 micrometers, wherein such a sub-miniature fastener is a threaded fastener having a diameter from furthest points on the thread of less than about 1.1 mm.

A method for forming a patch of fastener retention material on a metal sub-miniature fastener, comprising:

• (a) applying to at least one region of the metal sub-miniature fastener a powder retention material in a gaseous stream, wherein such sub-miniature fasteners are threaded fasteners having a diameter from furthest points on the thread of less than about 1.1 mm, and
• (b) melting the powder retention material on the metal sub-miniature fastener, wherein the powder retention material comprises a nylon 11 powder having a median average particle size by volume of between 67 and 73 micrometers, and further comprising up to 20 wt % of a density control additive, up to 40 wt % of an adhesion promoter, and up to 2 wt % a flow promoter, wherein wt % is based on the total weight of the powder retention material.

Use of a powder fastener retention material for forming a reusable fastener retention patch on a region of a metal sub-miniature fastener, wherein such sub-miniature fasteners are threaded fasteners having a diameter from furthest points on the thread of less than about 1.1 mm, wherein the powder fastener retention material comprises a nylon 11 powder having a median average particle size by volume of between 67 and 73 micrometers, and further comprising up to 20 wt % of a density control additive, up to 40 wt % of an adhesion promoter, and up to 2 wt % a flow promoter, wherein wt % is based on the total weight of the powder fastener retention material.

A kit of parts comprising:

• (a) a metal sub-miniature fastener, wherein such sub-miniature fasteners are threaded fasteners having a diameter from furthest points on the thread of less than about 1.1 mm and
• (b) a powder retention material comprising a nylon 11 powder having a median average particle size by volume of between 67 and 73 micrometers, and further comprising up to 20 wt % of a density control additive, up to 40 wt % of an adhesion promoter, and up to 2 wt % a flow promoter, wherein wt % is based on the total weight of the powder retention material.