Overview
Fasteners are useful for securing things to things, in a way that can be undone. Fasteners can be loaded in shear or in tension, or ideally, used merely to retain parts while machined features take the load. As a rule of thumb, Rocket Team uses socket screws, set screws, and U-bolts, with even numbered NC threads.
Fastener Shear Strength
Fastener Tensile Strength
Loading a fastener in tension is usually undesirable (due to the small area loaded by this application) and to be avoided when possible, however, it is frequently necessary in the field of rocketry. Prominent examples are tie-rods, threaded rods running through avionics bays and nose cones, and motor retention bolts.
Most fasteners have a published 'proof load' which they are rated to in tension. If you are using steel fasteners with aluminum or composite components your fastener's max load may be defined by pull through load rather than thread pull-out strength.
References