Definition
A small wavy metal fastener with sharpened edges along one side, driven across a joint between two pieces of wood to hold them together. The corrugations (parallel ridges and grooves) cause the fastener to pull the pieces tight as it is hammered in.
Plain English
A short, rippled metal strip with one sharp edge, hammered across the seam between two pieces of wood to lock them together.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance discussions involving wood parts, older wooden aircraft, shop repairs, or inspection of previous wood repairs.
Derivation
Corrugated' comes from the Latin corrugare, meaning 'to wrinkle' (from ruga, a wrinkle or fold). The fastener is named for its wavy, wrinkled shape, which is what gives it the gripping action when driven into the wood.
Why Pilots Care
Ensures strong, reliable joints in wooden airframe components critical for flight safety.
Analogy
It works a little like a row of tiny metal teeth pressed into both pieces of wood, gripping them so they stay together.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse this with a fastener used on corrugated metal. Here, “corrugated” describes the wavy shape of the fastener itself.
Example Sentence 1
The mechanic pointed out a corrugated fastener holding the two pieces of the old wing rib together and noted it would need to be replaced with an approved repair.
Example Sentence 2
Inspectors check for loose corrugated fasteners as part of the preflight examination of fabric-covered wooden aircraft.