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ABS0368-01 – Airbus OEM Panel Mount Floating Steel Mechanical Stud Receptacle
Available now on the Airparts.aero Marketplace.
The Airbus ABS0368-01 is a high-precision, floating mechanical stud receptacle designed for structural and non-structural panels across the Airbus A320 and A330/A340 families. This component acts as the female interface for turn-lock stud fasteners, such as those found on belly fairings, access doors, and interior panels. The "floating" design is a critical engineering feature that allows the receptacle to shift slightly within its mount, compensating for minor misalignment between the stud and the panel hole during installation—a common occurrence in large-scale airframe structures subject to thermal expansion and airframe flex.
Manufactured from high-strength Corrosion Resistant Steel (CRES), the ABS0368-01 is engineered to provide a robust, wear-resistant locking point that can withstand thousands of high-torque cycles. Its integration into the airframe ensures that secondary structures remain securely attached while allowing for rapid removal by maintenance crews. For procurement specialists and A&P mechanics, the ABS0368-01 represents a standardized, flight-certified solution for ensuring panel integrity and aerodynamic smoothness.
Key Features
Self-Aligning Floating Design: Features a lateral float capability that compensates for panel-to-structure misalignment, reducing the risk of cross-threading or stud breakage.
High-Strength CRES Construction: Fabricated from 1.4303 (Austenitic Stainless Steel) per DIN 1654, offering exceptional resistance to oxidation and intergranular corrosion.
Precision MJ Threading: Utilizes a #8-32 UNJC-3B thread profile (per MIL-S-8879) for superior vibration resistance and thread engagement.
Passivated Surface Treatment: Undergoes chemical passivation (per LN9368-1200 or QQ-P-35) to enhance the protective oxide layer, ensuring longevity in high-moisture environments.
Structural Load Capacity: Rated for significant ultimate tension and shear loads (6300 N tension / 7000 N shear), suitable for high-vibration airframe zones.
Technical Specifications
Part Number: ABS0368-01
Component Type: Floating Mechanical Stud Receptacle
Manufacturer: Airbus OEM (Supplied by various approved vendors like SFS Intec)
Material: 1.4303 Corrosion Resistant Steel (CRES)
Finish: Passivated (Bright/Clean)
Thread Size: #8-32 UNJC-3B (per MIL-S-8879)
Ultimate Tension Load: 6,300 N (approx. 1,416 lbf)
Ultimate Shear Load: 7,000 N (approx. 1,573 lbf)
Governing Specifications: ABS0368, ABS0777 (General Technical Spec)
Certification: EASA Form 1 / FAA-PMA / Airbus OEM Standard
Aircraft Compatibility
Airbus A318 / A319 / A320 / A321 (CEO & NEO)
Airbus A330-200 / 300 Series
Airbus A340-300 / 500 / 600 Series
Note: Frequently utilized on A320 series belly fairings (Ref: SB A320-53-1281). Always verify specific application and station number via the Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC).
Applications
Belly Fairing Panels: Main access points for hydraulic and flight control inspections.
Access Doors: Interior and exterior panels requiring repeated high-speed removal.
Secondary Structural Brackets: Securing radomes or fairing transitions where alignment tolerance is limited.
Why Choose ABS0368-01?
Maintaining an Airbus airframe requires hardware that meets the exact elastic and metallurgical limits of the original design. Choosing the OEM ABS0368-01 ensures that the fastener system's "clamping force" and "float" remain consistent with the airworthiness certificate. Aftermarket or non-certified receptacles often lack the precise heat treatment and tolerance required to manage airframe vibration, leading to panel "chatter" or fastener unseating in flight. By utilizing the ABS0368-01, operators maximize structural safety and minimize unscheduled maintenance caused by failed panel hardware.
The ABS0368-01 functions on the principle of kinematic alignment compensation. In a fixed-point fastener system, any manufacturing tolerance stack-up or thermal expansion of the airframe creates transverse stress on the stud, which can lead to fatigue failure. The "floating" architecture of the ABS0368-01 allows the threaded nut element to translate within its retainer, ensuring that the stud and receptacle achieve a concentric interface without inducing pre-load bending moments.
From a materials standpoint, the use of 1.4303 austenitic steel is critical. This alloy provides a high work-hardening rate, essential for the mechanical threads, while maintaining a stable crystal structure that prevents stress-corrosion cracking (SCC). The passivation process removes free iron from the surface, preventing the formation of localized anodic sites and ensuring the component remains cathodic relative to environmental contaminants. This design is specifically optimized for the hydrodynamic pressures encountered by belly fairings during high-velocity cruise flight, where the fastener must resist both axial pull-out and high-frequency shear oscillations.
Note: The ABS0368-01 is a structural fastener component. Installation must ensure that the receptacle retainer is securely riveted or bonded to the airframe structure as per the Structural Repair Manual (SRM). Receptacles showing signs of thread wear, distorted retainers, or excessive play beyond the floating tolerance must be replaced. Installation must be performed by a certified A&P or EASA Part 66 mechanic in accordance with Airbus Standard Practices (AMM Chapter 20).
Documentation
No direct public-facing OEM drawing was located for this specific part number. Refer to the Airbus ABS-Standard Drawing (ABS0368) or the A320/A330 Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC) for detailed dimensional data.
