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Terminology related to nuts and bolts Presented below is a glossary of terminology on topics related to nuts and bolts, threaded fasteners and tightening techniques. If you have any questions about any of the content or you think we've missed something why not send us an Email on the topic. A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z
We have a web site dedicated to training, have a look at www.bolting.info - for additional information on bolting technology. ACORN NUT A nut (so-called because of its shape) that has a domed top so that it prevents contact with the external thread. AEROTIGHT NUT A torque prevailing nut of all metal construction. The nut is slotted in two places which, after the nut has been tapped, are bent slightly inwards and downwards. When the nut is screwed onto the bolt thread the two slotted parts are forced back to their original position. Their stiffness causes the nut threads to bind onto the bolt threads and thus provides a prevailing torque. Aerotight is a registered trade mark of The Premier Screw and Repitition Co. Ltd of Woodgate, Leicester, United Kingdom, LE3 5GJ. ANTI-FRICTION COATING

AF coatings are dry lubricants consisting of suspensions of solid lubricants, such as graphite, PTFE or molydbenum disulphide of small particle size in a binder. Such coatings can be applied to fastener threads to replace metallic coatings such as zinc and cadmium and offer maintenance free permanent lubrication. By careful selection of the lubricants, AF coatings can be designed to meet specific applications. The coatings are permanently bonded to the metal surface and provide a lubricating film preventing direct metal to metal contact. ANTI-SEIZE COMPOUND An anti-seize compound is used on the threads of fasteners in some applications. The purpose of the compound depends upon the application. It can prevent galling of mating surfaces - such compounds are frequently used with stainless steel fasteners to prevent this effect from occurring. In some applications it is used to improve corrosion resistance to allow the parts to be subsequently dis-assembled Thirdly, it can provide a barrier to water penetration since the threads are sealed by use of the compound. AUTOLOK NUT A torque prevailing nut of an all metal construction. Covered by UK patent 1180842 the nut is marketed by GKN Screws and Fasteners Limited. ALLOWANCE An intentional clearance between internal or external thread and the design form of the thread when the thread form is on it's maximum metal condition. Not all classes of fit have an allowance. For metric threads the allowance is called the fundamental deviation. ANAEROBIC ADHESIVE An adhesive which hardens in the absence of air, such adhesives are often used as a thread locking medium. ANGLE CONTROLLED TIGHTENING A tightening procedure in which a fastener is first tightened by a pre-selected torque (called the snug torque) so that the clamped surfaces are pulled together, and then is further tightened by giving the nut an additional measured rotation. Frequently bolts are tightened beyond their yield point by this method in order to ensure that a precise preload is achieved. Bolts of short length can be elongated too much by this method and the bolt material must be sufficiently ductile to cater for the plastic deformation involved. Because of the bolt being tightened beyond yield, its re-use is limited. BASIC THREAD PROFILE This is the theoretical profile of external and internal threads with no manufacturing tolerance applied.

BEARING STRESS The surface pressure acting on a joint face directly as a result of the force applied by a fastener. BIHEXAGON HEAD A bolt or screw whose cross section of its head is in the shape of a 12 pointed star. BLACK BOLTS AND NUTS The word black refers to the comparatively wider tolerances employed and not necessarily to the colour of the surface finish of the fastener. BOLT A bolt is the term used for a threaded fastener, with a head, designed to be used in conjunction with a nut. BREAKAWAY TORQUE The torque necessary to put into reverse rotation a bolt that has not been tightened. BREAKLOOSE TORQUE The torque required to effect reverse rotation when a pre-stressed threaded assembly is loosened. BRITISH STANDARD BRASS A specialist thread form based upon the Whitworth thread and consisting of 26 threads per inch whatever the thread diameter. BSF British Standard Fine. A thread form based upon the British Standard Whitworth form but with a finer thread (more threads per inch for a given diameter). This thread form was first introduced in 1908, the thread form is specified in BS 84: 1956. BSW British Standard Whitworth. A thread form developed by Sir Joseph Whitworth in 1841. The thread form has rounded roots and crests, the thread form is specified in BS 84: 1956. This thread form was superceded by the Unified thread in 1948 and then the metric thread form. BUMP THREAD A modified thread profile patented and trade mark of the Bosco Tool Inc. The thread form has a small projection at the pitch diameter that eliminates the clearance from the thread assembly on both flanks. By doing this it is claimed that resistance to vibration loosening is significantly improved. CADMIUM ELECTROPLATING Coating of threaded fasteners with cadmium can provide the parts with excellent

corrosion resistance. The appearance of the coating is bright silver or yellow if subsequently passivated. The friction values associated with this coating are also comparatively low. A chromate conversion coating is frequently applied to the surface to improve corrosion resistance. Cadmium is not now frequently used because of the environmental and worker health problems associated with the coating process and should not be used in applications above 250C or when contact with food is possible. CLAMPING FORCE The compressive force which a fastener exerts on the joint. CLASS OF FIT The Class of Fit is a measure of the degree of fit between mating internal and external threads. Three main Classes of Fit are defined for metric screw threads : FINE: This has a tolerance class of 5H for internal threads and 4h for external threads. MEDIUM: This has a tolerance class of 6H for internal threads and 6g for external threads. COARSE: This has a tolerance class of 7H for internal threads and 8g for external threads. For Unified threads, a similar designation as for metric threads is used. The thread classes used are 1A, 2A and 3A for external threads and 1B, 2B and 3B for internal threads. CLEVELOC NUT A torque prevailing nut of all metal construction. The collar of the nut is elliptical in cross section and it is this that provides the flexible locking element. The nut is pre-lubricated to reduce the torque needed when tightening and to minimise galling. COEFFICIENT OF FRICTION A dimensionless number representing the ratio of the friction force to normal force. Typically for threaded connections it is between 0.10 to 0,18 but can vary significantly depending upon the materials used and whether a lubricant has been used. In relation to threaded fasteners, the coefficent of friction can be further subdivided into the coefficient of friction between the threads and the coefficient of friction under the nut face. There is in general a difference in values between the two coefficients due to typically the contact surfaces being different. For example, a zinc plated nut on a zinc plated bolt, the thread coefficent of friction would be due to zinc plating contacting zinc plating. The nut face coefficient of friction would be due to zinc plating contacting the joint surface finish. COMMINGLING

A term used to describe the undesirable practice of mixing fasteners from different batches that are the same size and grade in the same container. CONELOC NUT The Coneloc is an all metal prevailing torque type self-locking nut. The locking action is achieved by localised precision deformation of the thread in the cone section on top of the nut. When the nut is tightened onto the bolt, the thread is gripped on the flanks providing the locking action. Coneloc is a trade mark of NUTS BOLTS Limited CONE PROOF LOAD This is an axial applied force applied to a nut when it is seated on a cone shaped washer which has an included angle of 120 degrees. Failure in this test is usually due to the nut splitting. The intention of the test is to introduce a nut dilation operation which will assess the potential detrimental effects of surface discontinuities. This type of test is sometimes applied to nuts which are intended for high temperature service. CREEP Creep is deformation with time when a part is subjected to constant stress. Metals creep can occur at elevated temperature however with gasket materials it can occur at normal ambient temperatures. Creep resistance is an important property of gasket materials. Gasket materials are designed to flow under stress to fill any irregularities in the flange surface. The amount of creep sustained tends to increase with temperature. . However once the tightening is completed it is important that no further flow occurs since such deformation will lead to a reduction in bolt extension and subsequently the stress acting on the gasket. If this stress is reduced to below a certain minimum, which depends upon the type and construction of the gasket and the operating temperature, a high rate of leakage can be anticipated to occur. DECOMPRESSION POINT The point at which there is zero pressure at the joint interface as a result of forces applied to the joint. If the applied force is increased beyond the decompression point, a gap will form at the interface. Analytically, a criteria of joint failure is often taken as when the applied force on the joint reaches the decompression point. This is because forces acting on the bolt(s) can dramatically increase at this point. Loading beyond this point can also result in fretting at the interface that will lead to bolt tension loss that will subsequently

lower the decompression point. This process can continue until bolt failure does occur. The failure can be by fatigue or other mechanism but the underlying cause was loading of the joint beyond the decompression point. It is for this reason that it is frequently taken as a failure criteria in analysis work. DACROMET A high performance surface coating that can be applied to fasteners. The coating consists of passivated zinc flakes that are stoved onto the metal surface. The coating can be coloured and eliminates the risk of hydrogen embrittlement associated with electroplated metal. DACROMET is a registered trademark of Metal Coatings International, Inc. of Chardon Ohio DESIGN FORM OF THREAD The design form of an internal or external thread is the thread form in it's maximum metal condition. It is the same as the basic thread profile except that the thread roots are rounded. If either the internal or external thread form exceeds the design form of the thread profile then a potential interference exists. DIRECT TENSION INDICATORS Direct Tension Indicators (DTI's) is a term sometimes used to describe load indicating washers. Projections on the face of the washer (usually on the face abuting the bolt head or nut) that deform under loading as the bolt is tensioned. An indication of the tension in the bolt can be made by measuring the gap between the washer face and the nut or bolt head. The smaller the gap - the greater the tension in the bolt. Commonly used in civil rather than mechanical engineering applications. DYNAMIC FRICTION Resistance to relative movement of two bodies that are already in motion. EFFECTIVE DIAMETER This is the diameter of an imaginary cylinder coaxial with the thread, which has equal metal and space widths. It is often referred to as pitch diameter. Sometimes referred to as the simple effective diameter to differentiate from the virtual effective diameter. EFFECTIVE NUT DIAMETER Twice the effective nut radius. EFFECTIVE NUT RADIUS The radius from the centre of the nut to the point where the contact forces, generated when the nut is turned, can be considered to act. ELECTROLESS NICKEL A relatively thin, hard coating that can be applied to threads and deposited uniformly.

Bright metallic in appearance this coating has excellent resistance to wear and corrosion. EMBEDMENT Localized plastic deformation which occurs in the vicinity of clamped fasteners or in the fastener threads. . Embedding is local plastic deformations that occur under the nut face, in the joint faces and in the threads as a result of plastic flattening of the surface roughness. This occurs even when the loading is below the yield point of the bolt or limiting surface pressure of the joint material and is the result of the real area of contact between surfaces being less than the apparent area. ENVIRONMENTALLY ASSISTED CRACKING (EAC) A process that can occur with the use of high strength steel fasteners in which crack initiation and growth occurs in the fastener at a comparatively low stress level as a result of interactions that occur with the environment. Hydrogen is suspected of causing EAC in high strength steel fasteners, the hydrogen being produced as a result of chemical reactions (galvanic corrosion in a moist environment) or being present from a plating process that may have been applied to the fastener. EXTERNAL FORCE OR LOAD Forces exerted on a fastener as a result of an applied loading to the joint. EXTERNAL THREAD A screw thread which is formed on an external cylinder, such as on bolts, screws, studs etc. FLOATING TYPE FLANGE JOINT A conventional flanged joint in which a gasket is compressed by bolts - the gasket is not rigidly located. Calculation methods such as the ASME code in the USA and the EN1591 code in Europe. FLUORO-CARBON THREAD COATING A low friction coating applied to threads. This type of coating is frequently used to prevent thread fouling when an assembly containing threaded fasteners is painted. Unless masked in some way before painting, electro deposited primers can cover the threads. If this occurs assembly difficulties can result unless the expensive chore of cleaning the threads is completed. A fluoro-carbon thread coating eliminates the need for masking or cleaning since paint will not adhere to the coating. This type of coating can also prevent problems caused by weld splatter obstructing the threads of weld nuts during their placement. Such coatings also have the property of reducing the torque-tension scatter during tightening. FRICTION Mechanical resistance to the relative movement of two surfaces. There are two main

types of friction; STATIC FRICTION and DYNAMIC FRICTION. Typically static friction is greater than dynamic friction. FRICTION STABILIZERS Coating materials used on fasteners with the intention of reducing the scatter in the thread and bearing surface friction coefficients. FUNDAMENTAL DEVIATION An intentional clearance between internal or external thread and the design form of the thread when the thread form is on it's maximum metal condition. For metric threads the fundamental deviation are designated by letters, capitals for internal threads and small letters for external threads. Some tolerance classes have a fundamental deviation of zero. For imperial threads the fundamental deviation is called the allowance. FUNDAMENTAL TRIANGLE HEIGHT The fundamental triangle height is normally designated with the letter H. This is the height of the thread when the profile is extended to a sharp vee form. For 60 degree thread forms such as metric and Unified thread series, H equals 0.866025 times the thread pitch. GALLING A severe form of adhesive wear which occurs during sliding contact of one surface relative to another. Clumps of one part stick to the mating part and break away from the surface. (Can frequently occur when both the nut and bolt are made from stainless or high alloy steels, titanium or zinc coated fasteners.) GRIP LENGTH Total distance between the underside of the nut to the bearing face of the bolt head; includes washer, gasket thickness etc. HARD JOINT A joint in which the plates and material between the nut and bolt bearing surfaces have a high stiffness when subjected to compression by the bolt load. A joint is usually defined as hard if the bolt is tightened to its full torque and it rotates through an angle of 30 degrees or less after it has been tightened to its snug condition. HARDENED WASHERS The force under the head of a bolt or nut can exceed, at high preloads, the compressive yield strength of the clamped material. If this occurs excessive embedding and deformation can result in bolt preload loss. To overcome this hardened washers under the bolt head can be used to distribute the force over a wider area into the clamped material. A more modern alternative is to use a flange headed nuts and bolts.

HEAT TIGHTENING Heat tightening utilises the thermal expansion characteristics of the bolt. The bolt is heated and expands: the nut is indexed (using the angle of turn method) and the system allowed to cool. As the bolt attempts to contract it is constrained longitudinally by the clamped material and a preload results. Methods of heating include direct flame, sheathed heating coil and carbon resistance elements. The process is slow, especially if the strain in the bolt is to be measured, since the system must return to ambient temperature for each measurement. This is not a widely used method and is generally used only on very large bolts. HELICAL SPRING WASHER A split type of spring washer whose purpose is to prevent self loosening of the nut or the bolt. The idea or principle behind the helical spring washer is for one end of the tang of the washer to indent into the fastener (the nut or bolt head) and the other into the joint surface so that any loosening rotation is prevented. Junker in his paper in 1969 on the cause of self-loosening of fasteners (reference:Junker, G., New criteria for self-loosening of fasteners under vibration. SAE Paper 690055, 1969) concluded that this type of lock washer has no ability to lock. This type of washer is sometimes called a spring lock washer or sometimes a standard lock washer. HIGH STRENGTH FRICTION GRIP BOLTS Sometimes abbreviated to HSFG bolts. Bolts which are of high tensile strength used in conjunction with high strength nuts and hardened steel washers in structural steelwork. The bolts are tightened to a specified minimum shank tension so that transverse loads are transferred across the joint by friction between the plates rather than by shear across the bolt shank. HOLD AND DRIVE BOLTS Special bolts that have a tang at the threaded end of the shank. This tang is gripped by the tightening tool during assembly so that the reaction torque is absorbed whilst the nut is tightened from the same side. Such bolts allow what used to have to be done by two men to become a one-man task. HOT BOLTING This term is used for the completion of maintenance work on a bolted joint when the joint is under loading. This can involve the replacement of individual bolts. There are risks both to the joint itself and to health and safety associated with this technique. HYDRAULIC TENSIONER

A hydraulic tool used to tighten a fastener by stretching it rather than applying a large torque to the nut. After the fastener has been stretched, the nut is run down the thread to snug up with the joint, the hydraulically applied load is then removed resulting in tension being induced into the fastener. HYDROGEN EMBRITTLEMENT Steel fasteners exposed to hydrogen can fail prematurely at a stress level well below the materials yield strength. Hydrogen embrittlement occurs in fasteners usually as a result of the part being exposed to hydrogen at some time during its manufacturing process but it can also occur through in-service corrosion. Electroplating is generally considered to be a major cause of hydrogen absorption in steel fasteners due to the release of hydrogen during this process. Higher strength steels are more susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement than lower strength steels, however it is considered that there is no lower strength limit. As a rule of thumb, steels below Rockwell C 35 are considered to be far less susceptible. Tests such as the incremental load hydrogen embrittlement test can be completed to assess if hydrogen embrittlement is present in a batch of fasteners. IMPACT WRENCH A wrench, usually powered by electricity or air, in which repeated blows from little hammers are used to generate torque to tighten fasteners. The torque applied to the fastener depends upon the time and the air pressure applied to the tool (for pneumatic wrenches). The torque applied by an impact wrench to a fastener is influenced by the joint stiffness. INSTANTANEOUS CENTRE OF ROTATION The point in space that an eccentrically shear loaded joint rotates about. The deformation and the load sustained by an individual bolt in a bolt group is dependent upon the distance that the bolt is from the instantaneous centre. The direction that the individual bolt force acts is perpendicular to a line joining that bolt to the instantaneous centre. INTEGRAL FASTENER A term used to describe types of fasteners which are highly resistant to vibration loosening and/or removal. Some types have special thread forms. INTERNAL THREAD A screw thread which is formed in holes, such as in nuts. JAM NUTS See LOCKNUT JOINT CONTROL TIGHTENING See YIELD CONTROLLED TIGHTENING

JOST EFFECT The name given to the reduction in the frictional resistance that occurs in a direction different to that inwhich slip is occurring. This effect is used in many applications including the removal of corks from bottles. If the cork is first rotated the force needed to pull the cork from the bottle is significantly reduced. It is also the fundamental reason why threaded fasteners experience self-loosening. Frictional resistance is first overcome in the transverse direction by slip occurring on the joint resulting in the frictional resistance in the circumferential direction reducing to a small value. The torque acting on the fastener in the loosening direction (as a result of its preload) that when coupled with the Jost Effect results in self-loosening occurring.

The term is named after the Institute that completed research into this effect, the Jost Institute of Tribotechnology at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK.
K FACTOR The factor in the torque tightening equation: T=KDF where T is the fastener tightening torque in Newton metres, D is the fastener diameter in metres, F is the fasteners preload in Newtons and K is a factor whose value is often taken as 0.2. The formula gives the approximate tightening torque for standard fasteners used under normal conditions. The K factor is also known as the nut factor and the torque coefficient. KEPS A pre-assembled nut and washer assembly (the washer is attached to the nut so that it won't fall off)- a trademark of ITW Shakeproof. The origin of the word came from ShaKEProof. The s on the end being acquired due to them being purchased in quantities usually greater than one. LEFTHAND THREAD A screw thread that is screwed in by rotating counterclockwise. LENGTH OF ENGAGEMENT The axial distance over which an external thread is in contact with an internal thread. LOCK NUT There are two common usage's of this term: 1. A nut which provides extra resistance to vibration loosening by either providing some form of prevailing torque, or, in free spinning nuts, by deforming and/or biting into mating parts when fully tightened. 2. The term is sometimes used for thin (or jam) nuts used to lock a thicker nut. When used

in this way the thin nut should be adjacent to the joint surface and tightened against the thick nut. If placed on top of the thick nut the thin nut would sustain loads it was not designed to sustain. MAJOR DIAMETER This is the diameter of an imaginary cylinder parallel with the crests of the thread; in other words it is the distance from crest to crest for an external thread, or root to root for an internal thread. MEANSHIFT The difference in tightening torque values produced by the same tightening tool on hard and soft joints. A hard joint typically gives a higher torque value than a soft joint. Generally speaking, the lower the meanshift of a tightening tool, the better it will be in achieving a specified torque value irrespective of the joint condition. METAL TO METAL CONTACT FLANGE JOINT A flanged joint in which a gasket is compressed by bolts - the gasket being located in a recess within the joint so that it is compressed by the bolt loads until metal to metal contact occurs. Unlike the FLOATING TYPE FLANGE JOINT, for metal to metal type joints there are no standardised gasket factor definitions, test procedures, nor generally acknowledged calculation procedures available. MINOR DIAMETER This is the diameter of an imaginary cylinder which just touches the roots of an external thread, or the crests of an internal thread. MODEL ENGINEERS THREAD (M.E.) A thread based upon the Whitworth thread form that was established in 1912. A very fine thread (a 3/32 inch thread having 60 tpi for example). MOLYBDENUM DISULPHIDE A solid lubricant that acts as a high pressure resistant film. Can be used by itself as a dry lubricant as well as in with other solid lubricants and in oils and greases. Used in threads, such lubricants act as a separating film to prevent corrosion formation on the thread surface (even under adverse temperature and environmental conditions) ensuring the release of the threaded connection. Such films can also act as friction stabilisers. NICKED THREADS Nicks or indentations in threads can occur during the manufacturing process and during fastener transportation. In general, nicked thread problems tend to increase as the thread diameter increases and for fine pitches. There are acceptance tests for nicked threads that involve measuring the maximum

torque required to drive a GO gauge down the thread. Examples of acceptance tests are SAE J123 and the Ford Motor specification WA990 1993. Nicks and indentations in threads are sometimes referred to as gouges. NOMINAL DIAMETER The diameter equal to the external diameter of the threads. NUT DILATION Under load, the wedging action of the threads causes dilation of the nut resulting in an increase in the minor diameter of the nut, and reducing the effective shear areas of both the external and internal threads. NUT RUNNER A torque control fastener tightening tool that is usually powered by compressed air. The design of the tool is such that attempts are made to ensure that the applied torque is independent of joint stiffness. NYLOC NUT A torque prevailing nut that uses a nylon patented insert to provide a locking feature. The nylon insert, it is claimed, helps to seal the bolt thread against seepage of water, oil, petrol, paraffin and other liquids. The nut is covered by UK patent 8028437 and European patent 81303450-1. Nyloc is a registered trade name of Forest Fasteners. OCTAGON HEAD A bolt or screw whose head cross section is a regular polygon with 8 sides. OVERTAPPING Tapping of a thread following a plating operation so that the thread tolerances comply within specification allowing the internal and external threads to assemble. It is normal practice to overtap the internal rather than the external thread. PILES Term used in structural engineering for the joint plates. PITCH The nominal distance between two adjacent thread roots or crests. PLY A single thickness of steel forming part of a structural joint. POOCHING Pooching is a term sometimes used to describe the effect of the area immediately

surrounding a tapped hole being raised up as a result of the tension from the stud. Tapped holes are often bored out for the first couple of threads to eliminate this problem. PRELOAD The tension created in a fastener when first tightened. Reduces after a period of time due to embedding and other factors. PREVAILING TORQUE The torque required to run a nut down a thread on certain types of nuts designed to resist vibration loosening. The resistance can be provided by a plastic insert or a noncircular head. PREVAILING TORQUE NUT A type of lock nut which has a prevailing torque to assist in preventing self loosening. There are two main categories of prevailing torque nuts, all metal and nylon insert. All metal torque prevailing nuts generally gain a prevailing torque by distorting the threads at the top of the nut by some means. Nylon insert torque prevailing nuts ultilise a nylon (or other polymer) insert to achieve a prevailing torque. PROOF LOAD The proof load of a nut is the axially applied load the nut must withstand without thread stripping or rupture. The proof load of a bolt, screw or stud is the specified load the product must withstand without permanent set. PROPERTY CLASS A designation system which defines the strength of a bolt or nut. For metric fasteners, property classes are designated by numbers where increasing numbers generally represent increasing tensile strengths. The designation symbol for bolts consists of two parts: 1. The first numeral of a two digit symbol or the first two numerals of a three digit symbol approximates 1/100 of the minimum tensile strength in MPa. 2. The last numeral approximates 1/10 of the ratio expressed as a percentage between minimum yield stress and minimum tensile stress. Hence a fastener with a property class of 8.8 has a minimum tensile strength of 800 MPa and a yield stress of 0.8x800=640 MPa. The designation system for metric nuts is a single or double digit symbol. The numerals approximate 1/100 of the minimum tensile strength in MPa. For example a nut of property class 8 has a minimum tensile strength of 800 MPa. A bolt or screw of a particular property class should be assembled with the equivalent or higher property class of nut to ensure that thread stripping does not occur.

PRYING The amplification of an external force acting on a bolt by a lever action which can occur when that force is an eccentric tensile load. REDUCED SHANK BOLT A bolt whose shank diameter is smaller than the nominal diameter of the bolt (normally the shank diameter of such a bolt is approximately equal to the effective diameter of the thread). RELAXATION The loss of clamping force in a bolt that occurs typically without any nut rotation occurring. Commonly occurs as a result of embedment but can also be due to gasket creep, metal creep (at elevated temperatures), differential thermal expansion and stress relaxation. RIGHTHAND THREAD A screw thread that is screwed in by rotating clockwise. The majority of screw threads are right handed. ROLLED THREAD A thread formed by plastically deforming a blank rather than by cutting. The majority of standard fasteners have their threads formed by rolling. Most threads are rolled before any heat treatment operation. Significant improvements in fatigue life can be achieved by rolling the thread after heat treatment, this improvement is due to compressive stresses being induced in the roots of the thread. However, because of the increased hardness of the bolt blank, the die life can be significantly reduced. Rolling the thread also generally improves the surface finish which can have a beneficial effect on fatigue life. ROOT DIAMETER Identical to MINOR DIAMETER SCREW A headed threaded fastener that is designed to be used in conjunction with a pre formed internal thread or alternatively forming its own thread. Historically, it was a threaded fastener with the thread running up to the head of the fastener that has no plain shank. However this definition has largely been superseded to avoid confusion over the difference between a bolt and a screw. SCREW THREAD A ridge of constant section which is manufactured so that a helix is developed on the internal or external surface of a cylinder. SELF LOOSENING

Threaded fasteners can come loose on occasions without human intervention. This loosening can be due to creep, embedding, stress relaxation or the fastener self-rotating (which is often called vibration loosening). Creep, embedding and stress relaxation will generally not completely loosen a fastener, these loosening mechanisms occur without the nut rotating relative to the bolt. The term self loosening is sometimes used for the nut rotating relative to the bolt without human intervention. It is know that the fastener can self rotate under the action of transverse joint movement that can completely loosen a tightened fastener such that the nut will become detached from the bolt. SEMS A screw and washer assembly. A screw or bolt which has a captive washer. The washer is frequently loose on the plain shank of the fastener, the shank diameter being equal to the effective diameter of the thread; the thread being rolled from this diameter. The origin of the word is a frequent question. In the 1930's E. C. Crowther was a representative for a company that sold both shakeproof washers and screws. He came up with the idea of placing the washer on the screw before it was thread rolled. The major diameter of the screw being larger than the washer hole prevents it from coming off. The Illinois Tool Works made machines that produced these patented pre-as SEMbled washers and screws. The s at the end of SEMs is thought to have been subsequently picked up because they are not usually purchased individually. In spite of the original patents and trademarks the word SEMS is generally recognised as a generic term applicable to screw and washer assemblies. SET SCREW A set screw is a threaded fastener that is typically used to hold a sleeve, collar or gear on a shaft to prevent relative motion. It is a threaded member that normally does not have a head. Unlike most other threaded fasteners it is basically a compression device normally used to generate axial thrust. Various socket types are provided to allow the set screw to be rotated. These types include hexagon socket, fluted socket, screwdriver slot and square head. Various point designs are available (the part of the set screw that rotates against the shaft being secured) and include: Cup - Hollowed end, is the most commonly used point style. Used when the digging in of the point is not undesirable. Cone - Pointed end, this type generates the highest torsional holding power and is typically used for a permanent connection. Oval - Rounded end that is typically used when frequent adjustment is required. The oval end prevents/reduces indentation.

Flat - Cause little damage to the shaft and are used when frequent adjustment is required. Dog - Flat end with the threads stopping short of the end with the end fitting into a hole. SHANK That portion of a bolt between the head and the threaded portion. SHOULDER SCREWS A threaded fastener with a plain, precision machined, shank that is used for location purposes. They are typically used for pulleys and linkages. SKIDMORE BOLT TENSION CALIBRATOR The Skidmore-Wilhelm bolt tension calibrator is a hydraulic load cell used to determine the tension in a bolt or other threaded fastener. The tension in the bolt compresses fluid in a hydraulic cylinder, a pressure gauge connected to the cylinder is then calibrated to read in terms of force rather than pressure. SNUG TORQUE The torque required to pull plates together so that direct contact occurs; often used in angle control tightening. The snug torque ensures that metal to metal contact occurs at all the interfaces within the joint. It is only at this point that the required angle of rotation start in order that the bolt is tightened sufficiently. The snug torque is usually determined experimentally on the actual joint. SNUGGING The process of pulling parts of a joint together, most of the input turn during this process is absorbed in the joint with little tension being given to the bolt. SOCKET HEAD CAP SCREW A screw with a round head, usually with a hexagon indentation in the head for tightening purposes. Used on machine parts and is typically made from high strength steel (grade 12.9 in metric). SOFT JOINT A joint in which the plates and material between the nut and bolt bearing surfaces have a low stiffness when subjected to compression by the bolt load. In such a joint, the bolt (or nut) typically has to be tightened by two or more complete turns, after it has been torqued to the snug condition, before the full tightening torque is achieved. Often the placement of a gasket in a joint results in a soft joint. SOFT TORQUE An alternative name, used by some manufacturers, for snug torque.

SPIRAL WOUND GASKET A type of gasket that is made by winding V-section metal strip and a softer filler material together. Support or retaining rings, inside and/or outside the spiral, improve the gasket's handling and fitting. The filler material used is typically graphite or PTFE. The metal strip and retaining rings being typically made from stainless steel. STATIC FRICTION Friction at rest; a force is required to initiate relative movement between two bodies static friction is the force that resists such relative movement. Sometimes referred to as stiction. STEP-LOCK BOLT (SLB) The Step-Lock Bolt (SLB) is a thread form that has been modified to resist vibration loosening. The thread has several horizontal portions (i.e. no lead angle) whose purpose is to prevent torsion being developed in the bolt as a result of the loosening purpose. It is these horizontal portions that are known as steps. Published literature indicates that the thread form performs well when tested on a transverse vibration test machine. However manufacturing difficulties may prevent its widespread adoption. STIFFNUT A term used to describe a lock nut which has a prevailing torque. STRENGTH GRADE See PROPERTY CLASS STRESS AREA The effective cross sectional area of a thread when subjected to a tensile force. It is based upon a diameter which is the mean of the pitch (or effective) and the minor (or root) diameters of the thread. The use of this diameter stems from the work of E. M. Slaughter in the 1930's. He completed carefully controlled tests using various sizes of standard threads and compared their strength with machined bars made from the same bar of material. He found that this mean diameter gave results that agreed with the tensile test results to within about 3%. The error on the minor and pitch diameters was about 15%. Tests completed subsequent to these by other investigators have also shown that the stress diameter is a reasonable approximation to a thread's tensile strength. (Referance: 'Tests on Thread Sections Show Exact Strengthening Effect of Threads.' by E. M. Slaughter, Metal Progress, vol 23, March 1933 pp. 18-20) STRESS RELAXATION A significant problem with bolting at high temperatures is a phenomenon known as stress relaxation. Creep occurs when a material is subjected to high temperature and a constant

load. Stress relaxation occurs when a high stress is present that is relieved over time; the stress is relaxed with a subsequent reduction in the bolts preload. The only way to minimise the effects of stress relaxation is to use materials that have an adequate resistance to it at the products operating temperature. The effect of bolt stress relaxation is to reduce the clamp force provided by the bolts; this phenomena alone will not fully loosen a joint. STRUCTURAL BOLT A structural bolt is a heavy hexagon head bolt having a controlled thread length intended for use in structural connections and assembly of such structures as buildings and bridges. The controlled thread length is to enable the thread to stop before the joint ply interface to improve the fastener's direct shear performance.This term is used in civil and structural engineering but is not frequently used in mechanical engineering. STUD A fastener which is threaded at both ends with an unthreaded shank in between. One end (which often has a thread tolerance which results in more thread interference) is secured into a tapped hole, the other is used with a nut. SYMMETRICAL THREAD A symmetrical thread is one which has both flanks of the thread profile inclined at the same angle. TAYLOR-FORGE METHOD A method developed by four engineers of the Taylor-Forge Company in Chicago in the 1930's that subsequently formed the basis of the ASME code for flanged joint design. The assumptions made by the method are now generally regarded as too simplistic. This method gives rise to the m and y gasket factors. TENSION WASHERS A general name given to spring washers, curved washers, Belleville washers and disc springs. This type of washer provides a relatively low stiffness (compared to the joint stiffness) and can be used to act as a spring take-up with a bolt to prevent movement between parts. THREAD CREST The top part of the thread. For external threads, the crest is the region of the thread which is on it's outer surface, for internal threads it is the region which forms the inner diameter. THREAD FLANK

The thread flanks join the thread roots to the crest. THREAD HEIGHT This is the distance between the minor and major diameters of the thread measured radially. THREAD LENGTH Length the portion of the fastener with threads. THREAD ROOT The thread root is the bottom of the thread, on external threads the roots are usually rounded so that fatigue performance is improved. THREAD RUNOUT The portion at the end of a threaded shank which is not cut or rolled to full depth, but which provides a transition between full depth threads and the fastener shank or head. THREADLOCKER Can be a term used for a number of vibration resistant products but is now usually reserved for threadlocking adhesives. Specifically, a liquid anaerobic adhesive applied to nut or bolt thread, once hardened it fills the inner spaces between the threads to produce a solid plastic of a known shear strength. TIN/ZINC ALLOY ELECTROPLATING Tin/zinc alloy coatings (typically 70% tin and 30% zinc) are applied to threaded fasteners to provide a corrosion resistant coating. One of the advantages of such coatings is that bimetallic corrosion will not occur when placed into contact with such metals as aluminium or steel. TOLERANCE CLASS A combination of tolerance grade and a fundamental deviation which is given to an internal or external thread. A tolerance class for an internal thread when combined with the tolerance class for an external thread gives the class of fit for the mating threads. TOLERANCE GRADE The difference between maximum and minimum metal conditions for a tolerance applied to a screw thread. For metric threads the tolerance grade is given a number. TORQUE A rotational moment; it is a measure of how much twisting is applied to a fastener. The units used to measure torque are in the form of force times length. Usually measured in newton-metres (Nm) if metric units are used or pounds feet (lb-ft) when imperial units are used. TORQUE MULTIPLIER

A gearbox used to increase the torque produced by a small hand wrench. TORQUE WRENCH A manual wrench which incorporates a gauge or other method to indicate the amount of torque transferred to the nut or bolt. TURN OF THE NUT METHOD See ANGLE CONTROLLED TIGHTENING U BOLT A U shaped fastener threaded at both ends used primarily in suspension and related areas of vehicles. ULTRASONIC EXTENSOMETER An instrument which can measure the change in length of a fastener ultrasonically as the fastener is tightened or measure the length before and after it is tightened). UNC Unified National Coarse (UNC) is a thread form with a 60 degree flank angle rounded roots and flat crests. For a given diameter it has a larger thread pitch than an equivalent diameter UNF thread. The unified thread is based on inch sizes and was first standardised in 1948 unifying the Whitworth and American standard thread forms. UNEF Unified National Extra Fine (UNEF) is a Unified thread form with a very fine (small) pitch that are typically used on instruments and parts requiring a fine adjustment. UNF Unified National Fine (UNF) is a thread form with a 60 degree flank angle rounded roots and flat crests. For a given diameter it has a smaller thread pitch than an equivalent diameter UNC thread. UNR Unified National (UN) thread form with a rounded root contour, applies only to external threads. (The UN thread form has a flat, or optionally, a rounded root contour.) The majority of fasteners with a Unified thread form have a rounded root contour i.e. are UNR threads. VIRTUAL EFFECTIVE DIAMETER The effective diameter of a thread but allowing for errors in pitch and flank angles. WAISTED SHANK BOLT A bolt whose diameter is less than the minor diameter of the thread. Frequently the shank of the bolt is 0.9 times the root diameter.

WIRE THREAD INSERT A threaded insert that is typically used for tapped hole repair or to improve the thread stripping strength of softer metals such as zinc and aluminium. The inserts are assembled into a previously tapped hole using a special driving tool. A thread locking compound is frequently used to secure the insert if the assembly is subject to vibration. YIELD CONTROLLED TIGHTENING A fastener tightening method which allows a fastener to be tightened to yield. The angle of rotation of the fastener is measured relative to the applied torque, yield being assessed when the slope of the relationship changes to below a certain value. Sometimes called joint controlled tightening. ZINC ELECTROPLATING Zinc electroplating is a common way to protect threaded fasteners from the effects of corrosion. Zinc electroplating can be completed in acid chloride, alkaline or cyanide baths. Supplemental coatings are frequently applied to zinc electroplating. These coatings, such as zinc phosphate or chromate conversion, provide a protective passivation layer on the zinc which assists in reducing the corrosion rate. ZINC/COBALT ALLOY ELECTROPLATING This coating is similar to zinc electroplating completed in an acid chloride bath - a small amount of cobalt (typically about 1%) is added to increase the plating speed. ZINC PHOSPHATE CONVERSION COATING A zinc phosphate conversion coating is frequently added to zinc electroplated parts, such as bolt threads, to improve corrosion resistance. This type of chemical conversion coating provides a protective passivation layer on the zinc improving its corrosion resistance.

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Notes on Nuts and Bolts

A screw thread is a helical groove on a shaft. When used for delivering power, it is called a drive screw. Drive screws aren't really all that efficient, as they loose a significant amount of power to friction. However, this friction can be put to use in the case of threaded fasteners. You might say that a drive screw is an inclined plane wrapped around a post, while a fastener is a wedge wrapped around a post.

Bolt Terms

A 1/2-13UNC-2A-3 bolt, with a 2" thread and a 1" shank. As nuts and bolts are not perfectly rigid, but stretch slightly under load, the distribution of stress on the threads is not uniform. In fact, on a theoretically infinitely long bolt, the first thread takes a third of the load, the first three threads take three-quarters of the load, and the first six threads take essentially the whole load. Beyond the first six threads, the remaining threads are under essentially no load at all. Therefore, a nut or bolt with six threads acts very much like an infinitely long nut or bolt (and it's a lot cheaper).

Stress on bolt threads. Note how the majority of the stress is on the first thread to the left. Image from Spiralock.

Thre % ad 34 1 % 23 2 % 16 3 % 11 4 % 5 9% 6 7%

%Su m 34% 55% 71% 82% 91% 98%

There is little point in having more than six threads in anything. Nuts with National Coarse threads typically have 5 threads in them, whereas nuts with National Fine threads have about 8 threads. Nuts are usually stronger than the bolts they are on, which is to say that the bolt will usually break before the nut strips. It is often said that two threads must be exposed above a nut. The reason for this is that the first two threads of a bolt are often poorly formed, and may not engage the nut properly. If they're not doing their share, the other threads in the nut will be overloaded, and the nut may strip.

Thread Terms
Metric and American threads both conform to the same profile, a series of equilateral triangles with the crests chopped off and the roots rounded.

External Standard Thread Profile The depth of the threads is 54.127% of the distance between threads, and the radius of the rounded root is 14.434% of the distance between threads. Another way of looking at it would be to say that 1/8 of the height of each equilateral triangle is chopped off the top, and 1/4 of the height off the bottom, leaving only 5/8 of the height available. (The height of an equilateral triangle is equal to the width times half of the square root of three; 5/8 of this is 0.54127.) The root diameter of the thread is the nominal diameter minus 108.3% of the pitch of the thread. This means that fine threads have larger root diameters than coarse threads, and thus larger tap drill sizes. For threading using a tap or die, most threads are not cut to full depth, but to 75% or so. The resulting threads are not quite as strong, but full depth threading is very hard on the tap or die. Threading on a lathe presents no difficulty cutting to full depth.

Thread Specifications
Thread specifications are written thus: 1/2-13UNC-2

which means:

bolt diameter threads per inch thread type fit class

There are four Fit Classes, ranging from falling-off-loose to scientific-instrument-tight.

Class Class Class Class

1 2 3 4

= = = =

Loose Free Medium Close

The class is followed by an A for external (screw) threads and a B for internal (nut) threads. Most are class 2. 3 is for precision assembly, and 4 is used for things like lathe lead screws and measuring instruments. In November 1948, NATO issued a new standard for threads, the Unified National system. American bolts had flat-bottomed groves between threads, which interfered with British round-topped threads. Likewise, British bolts wouldn't fit American nuts. The Unified system uses a round-bottom grove to fit the British threads, and a flat-topped thread to fit the American threads, so it not only fit itself, but both existing systems.

American/United National Threads

SAE TP Root Hex SAE SAE TPI Washe Siz Diame I Dia. Hea Wash Wash Coar r e ter Fin Coars d er er se Thickn e e Size ID OD ess #0 0.0600 #1 0.0730 #2 0.0860 #3 0.0990 64 56 48 80 0.0447 72 0.0560 64 0.0668 56 0.0771
3

/32"

/4"

/32"

#4 0.1120 #5 0.1250 #6 0.1380 #8 0.1640 #1 0.1900 0 #1 0.2160 2

1

40 40 32 32 24 24 20 18 16 14 13 12 11 10 9 8

48 0.0813 44 0.0971 40 0.1073 36 0.1299 32 0.1570 28 0.1722 28 0.1850 24 0.2400 24 0.2940 20 0.3440 20 0.4000 18 0.4540 18 0.5070
3

/8 "

/16" /8"

/32" /64" /64" /16" /16" /16" /16" /16" /16" /32" /32" /32" /8" /8" /8"

5 3

/32" /16" /32" /4 "

3 7

3 3

/16" /2"

/16" /8" /16" /16" /16"

/4" 0.2500 /16 0.3125 " /16 0.4375 " /16 0.5625 "

/8 " /2 "

/32" /32" /32" /32" /32" /32" /32" /16" /16"

11

11

/8" 0.3750

/16" /8 " /4 " /8 " /16"

1

13

13

15

15

/2" 0.5000

17

1-1/16" 1-3/16" 1-5/16" 1- /2" 1-3/4"

1

19

5 3

/8" 0.6250 /4" 0.7500 /8" 0.8750

15

21 13

16 0.6200 1- /8" 14 0.7310

5

1/16"

15

1" 1.0000

12 0.8370 1-1/2" 1-1/16" 1-3/4"

A much more complete table is available here.

Metric Threads
Metric threads use the same thread profile as SAE threads. The biggest difference is that the thread pitch (distance between consecutive threads) is given instead of threads per unit distance.

Fin Hex ISO Coar Root ISO ISO e He Washe se Dia. Wash Wash Diame Pit ad r Pitc Coars er er ter ch Siz Thickn h e ID OD m e ess mm mm mm mm m mm mm 1 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5 5.5 6 7 1.00 1.00 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.30 0.35 0.35 0.40 0.45 0.45 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.75 0.80 0.7294 0.8294 0.9294 1.075 1.221 1.421 1.567 1.713 2.013 2.459 2.850 0.5 3.242 0 0.5 3.688 0 0.5 4.134 0 0.5 0 0.5 4.917 0 0.7 5.917 5 10 6.7 12.5 1.8 8 5.5 10 11 7 4.5 9.0 0.9 5 5.5 3.4 7.0 0.6 4 3.2

8 9 10 11 12 14 16 18 20

1.25 1.25 1.50 1.50 1.75 2.00 2.00 2.50 2.50

0.7 6.647 5 0.7 7.647 5 0.7 8.376 5 0.7 9.376 5 0.7 10.11 5 1.0 11.83 0 1.0 13.83 0 1.0 15.29 0 1.0 17.29 0

13

8.7

17

1.8

16

10.9

21

2.2

18 21 24

13.4

24

2.7

17.4

30

3.3

30

21.5

37.9

3.3

Bolt Strength
The Society of Automotive Engineering has issued standard J429, which sets forth standards for both strength. The SAE grade of a bolt is marked on it's head in the form of short radial lines, the number of lines being two less than the SAE grade (i.e.. 3 lines for grade 5).
SAE Grade 1 2 2 5 Size Strength Range (psi) 1 /4" to 1-1/2" 60,000 1 /4" to 3/4" 74,000 7 1 /8" to 1- /2" 60,000 1 /4" to 1" 120,000

5 7 8

1-1/8" to 1105,000 1 /2" 1 /4" to 1-1/2" 133,000 1 /4" to 1-1/2" 150,000

ASTM standards are sometimes used as well; A325 bolts are the equivalent of SAE 5, and A490 bolts are the equivalent of SAE 8.

Preload
A very misunderstood part of bolting stuff together is preload, which is the tension placed on the bolt by the nut (as opposed to the load). A sufficiently high preload will protect the bolt from fatigue as the load changes, as the varying load will change the clamping force on the bolted components, rather than the tension on the bolt. (This is not strictly true, but for a tinkerer like me, it's adequate.) As a rule of thumb, the preload should exceed the maximum load by 15% or so. In order for this to work, however, the joint must be stiffer than the bolt. For this reason, the shank of high-tech bolts are often necked down to the same diameter of the root of the thread. As long as it isn't thinner than the root of the thread, it isn't any weaker than the thread, and therefore doesn't effect overall bolt strength, but it is significantly less stiff than the original shank. There are two ways to measure preload on a bolt; a torque wrench, and by measuring the angle the nut has turned. Of the two, the latter is more accurate, as friction plays a significant - and more importantly, indeterminate - role when using a torque wrench. Torque = K preload diameter K, the so-called Nut Factor, usually varies between 0.3 and 0.1, and is very sensitive to a number of factors, ranging from temperature to thread condition, even to how fast the bolt is tightened. Measuring the angle the nut has turned is simply measuring how much the bolt is stretching, equal to the pitch (distance between threads) times the number of turns. Using this requires that the components being bolted don't compress much (or compress a known amount), and that the "spring rate" of the bolt be known. Turns = preload (spring rate pitch)

For example, if the "spring rate" of a 1/2-13 bolt is 50,000 pounds per inch (note that I made that up, and that most bolts will yield long before stretching an inch), and you need 500 pounds of preload, you'll need to stretch the bolt 500 50000 = 0.01 inch. At 13 threads per inch (0.0769 inches per thread), this would equate to 0.13 turns, or about 45 past snug. If more than one bolt is used in a joint, and those bolts are closer together than about four diameters, the preload on one bolt will effect the preload on the other bolts by compressing the joint. This effect is called "crosstalk", and then all bets are off. Joints that are significantly less stiff than the bolts, such as joints involving gaskets, suffer much worse from crosstalk. The best way to control crosstalk is to use a carefully thought out tightening sequence (usually a spiral starting at the center, or for circular patterns, alternating bolts), and to tighten the bolts in small steps. Even so, it's a crap shoot.

References

E-mail me at bill@gizmology.net if you find a mistake! Coburn-Myers Fastening Systems: Dimensional Specifications Model Engineering Thread Data

Back

10/01/2013 17:24:46 2003 W. E. Johns

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screw

Screw
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search This article is about the fastener. For the screw as a simple machine, see Screw (simple machine). For other uses, see Screw (disambiguation).

Screws come in a variety of shapes and sizes for different purposes. U.S. quarter coin (diameter 24 mm) shown for scale.

A screw, or bolt, is a type of fastener characterized by a helical ridge, known as an external thread or just thread, wrapped around a cylinder. Some screw threads are designed to mate with a complementary thread, known as an internal thread, often in the form of a nut or an object that has the internal thread formed into it. Other screw threads are designed to cut a helical groove in a softer material as the screw is inserted. The most common uses of screws are to hold objects together and to position objects. A screw will always have a head, which is a specially formed section on one end of the screw that allows it to be turned, or driven. Common tools for driving screws include screwdrivers and wrenches. The head is usually larger than the body of the screw, which keeps the screw from being driven deeper than the length of the screw and to provide a bearing surface. There are exceptions; for instance, carriage bolts have a domed head that is not designed to be driven; set screws often have a head smaller than the outer diameter of the screw; J-bolts have a J-shaped head which is not designed to be driven, but rather is usually sunk into concrete allowing it to be used as an anchor bolt. The cylindrical portion of the screw from the underside of the head to the tip is known as the shank; it may be fully threaded or partially threaded.[1] The distance between each thread is called the "pitch". The majority of screws are tightened by clockwise rotation, which is termed a right-hand thread; a common mnemonic device for remembering this when working with screws or bolts is "righty-tighty, lefty-loosey." Screws with left-hand threads are used in exceptional cases. For example, when the screw will be subject to counterclockwise torque (which would work to undo a right-hand thread), a left-hand-threaded screw would be an appropriate choice. The left side pedal of a bicycle has a left-hand thread. More generally, screw may mean any helical device, such as a clamp, a micrometer, a ship's propeller or an Archimedes' screw water pump.

Contents
[hide]

1 Differentiation between bolt and screw o 1.1 Machine screws o 1.2 Hex cap screws o 1.3 Lug bolts and head bolts o 1.4 Lag screw o 1.5 Government standards o 1.6 Historical issue o 1.7 Controlled vocabulary versus natural language 1.7.1 Other distinctions 2 Types of screw and bolt o 2.1 Fasteners with a tapered shank (self-threading screws) o 2.2 Fasteners with a non-tapered shank o 2.3 Other threaded fasteners 2.3.1 Superbolt, or multi-jackbolt tensioner 2.3.2 Hanger screw or hanger bolt 3 Materials 4 Bolted joints 5 Mechanical classifications o 5.1 Inch o 5.2 Metric 6 Screw head shapes 7 Types of screw drives 8 Tools 9 Thread standards o 9.1 ISO metric screw thread o 9.2 Whitworth o 9.3 British Association screw thread o 9.4 Unified Thread Standard 10 Manufacture 11 History 12 Other fastening methods 13 See also 14 References

o 14.1 Bibliography 15 External links

Differentiation between bolt and screw[edit]

A carriage bolt with square nut

A structural bolt with a hex nut and washer.

There is no universally accepted distinction between a screw and a bolt. Machinery's Handbook describes the distinction as follows:
A bolt is an externally threaded fastener designed for insertion through holes in assembled parts, and is normally intended to be tightened or released by torquing a nut. A screw is an externally threaded fastener capable of being

inserted into holes in assembled parts, of mating with a preformed internal thread or forming its own thread, and of being tightened or released by torquing the head. An externally threaded fastener which is prevented from being turned during assembly and which can be tightened or released only by torquing a nut is a bolt. (Example: round head bolts, track bolts, plow bolts.) An externally threaded fastener that has thread form which prohibits assembly with a nut having a straight thread of multiple pitch length is a screw. (Example: wood screws, tapping screws.) [2]

This distinction is consistent with ASME B18.2.1 and some dictionary definitions for screw[3][4] and bolt.[5][6][7] The issue of what is a screw and what is a bolt is not completely resolved with Machinery's Handbook distinction, however, because of confounding terms, the ambiguous nature of some parts of the distinction, and usage variations.[8][not in citation given] Some of these issues are discussed below:

Machine screws[edit]
ASME standards specify a variety of "Machine Screws"[9] in diameters ranging up to 0.75 in (19.05 mm). These fasteners are often used with nuts as well as driven into tapped holes. They might be considered a screw or a bolt based on the Machinery's Handbook distinction. In practice, they tend to be mostly available in smaller sizes and the smaller sizes are referred to as screws or less ambiguously as machine screws, although some kinds of machine screw can be referred to as stove bolts.

Hex cap screws[edit]

ASME standard B18.2.1-1996 specifies Hex Cap Screws that range in size from 0.253 in (6.3576.20 mm) in diameter. These fasteners are very similar to hex bolts. They differ mostly in that they are manufactured to tighter tolerances than the corresponding bolts. Machinery's Handbook refers parenthetically to these fasteners as "Finished Hex Bolts".[10] Reasonably, these fasteners might be referred to as bolts, but based on the US government document Distinguishing Bolts from Screws, the US government might classify them as screws because of the tighter tolerance.[11] In 1991 responding to an influx of counterfeit fasteners Congress passed PL 101592[12] "Fastener Quality Act" This resulted in the rewriting of specifications by the ASME B18 committee. B18.2.1[13] was re-written and as a result they eliminated the "Finished Hex Bolts" and renamed them the "Hex Cap Screw"a term that had existed in common usage long before, but was now also being codified as an official name for the ASME B18 standard.

Lug bolts and head bolts[edit]

These terms refer to fasteners that are designed to be threaded into a tapped hole that is in part of the assembly and so based on the Machinery's Handbook distinction they would be screws. Here common terms are at variance with Machinery's Handbook distinction.
[14][15]

Lag screw[edit]

Lag screws, also called lag bolts.

Another view.

Lag screws, also sometimes called lag bolts, are basically "large wood screws". Square lag screws and hex lag screws are covered by ASME B18.2.1. A typical lag bolt can range in diameters from 1/4" to 1 1/4", and lengths from 1/4" to 6" or longer, with coarse threads of a wood-screw or sheet-metal-screw threadform (but larger). The head is typically an external hex. The materials are usually carbon steel substrate with a coating of zinc galvanization (for corrosion resistance). The zinc coating may be bright (electroplated), yellow (electroplated), or dull gray hot-dip galvanized. Lag bolts are used to lag together lumber framing, to lag machinery feet to wood floors, and other heavy carpentry applications. These fasteners are clearly "screws" when defined by the Machinery's Handbook distinction. The term "lag bolt" has been replaced by "lag screw" in the Machinery's Handbook.[16] However, in the minds of most tradesmen, they are "bolts", simply because they are large, with hex or square heads. In the United Kingdom, lag bolts/screws are known as coach screws though this can also refer to carriage bolts (round head).

Government standards[edit]
The US government made an effort to formalize the difference between a bolt and a screw because different tariffs apply to each.[17] The document seems to have no significant effect on common usage and does not eliminate the ambiguous nature of the distinction between screws and bolts for some threaded fasteners. The document also reflects (although it probably did not originate) significant confusion of terminology usage that differs between the legal/statutory/regulatory community and the fastener industry. The legal/statutory/regulatory wording uses the terms "coarse" and "fine" to refer to the tightness of the tolerance range, referring basically to "high-quality" or "low-quality", but this is a poor choice of terms, because those terms in the fastener industry have a different meaning (referring to the steepness of the helix's lead).

Historical issue[edit]
Old USS and SAE standards defined cap screws as fasteners with shanks that were threaded to the head and bolts as fasteners with shanks that were partially unthreaded.[18] This is now an obsolete distinction (but standard in UK where a fully threaded bolt is usually called a "set screw").

Controlled vocabulary versus natural language[edit]

The distinctions above are enforced in the controlled vocabulary of standards organizations. Nevertheless, there are sometimes differences between the controlled vocabulary and the natural language use of the words by machinists, auto mechanics and others. These differences reflect linguistic evolution shaped by the changing of technology over centuries. The words bolt and screw have both existed since before today's modern mix of fastener types existed, and the natural usage of those words has evolved retronymously in response to the technological change. (That is, the use of words as names for objects changes as the objects

themselves change.) Non-threaded fasteners predominated until the advent of practical, inexpensive screw-cutting in the early 19th century. The basic meaning of the word screw has long involved the idea of a helical screw thread, but the Archimedes screw and the screw gimlet (like a corkscrew) preceded the fastener. The word bolt is also a very old word, and it was used for centuries to refer to metal rods that passed through the substrate to be fastened on the other side, often via nonthreaded means (clinching, forge welding, pinning, wedging, etc.). The connection of this sense to the sense of a door bolt or the crossbow bolt is apparent. In the 19th century, bolts fastened via screw threads were often called screw bolts in contradistinction to clench bolts. In common usage, the distinction (not rigorous) is often that screws are smaller than bolts, and that screws are generally tapered while bolts are not. For example, cylinder head bolts are called "bolts" (at least in North American usage) despite the fact that by some definitions they ought to be called "screws". Their size and their similarity to a bolt that would take a nut seem linguistically to overrule any other factors in this natural word choice proclivity. Other distinctions[edit] Bolts have been defined as headed fasteners having external threads that meet an exacting, uniform bolt thread specification (such as ISO metric screw thread M, MJ, Unified Thread Standard UN, UNR, and UNJ) such that they can accept a non-tapered nut. Screws are then defined as headed, externally threaded fasteners that do not meet the above definition of bolts.[citation needed] These definitions of screw and bolt eliminate the ambiguity of the Machinery's handbook distinction. And it is for that reason, perhaps, that some people favor them. However, they are neither compliant with common usage of the two words nor are they compliant with formal specifications.

Types of screw and bolt[edit]

Threaded fasteners either have a tapered shank or a non-tapered shank. Fasteners with tapered shanks are designed to either be driven into a substrate directly or into a pilot hole in a substrate. Mating threads are formed in the substrate as these fasteners are driven in. Fasteners with a non-tapered shank are designed to mate with a nut or to be driven into a tapped hole.

Fasteners with a tapered shank (self-threading screws)[edit]

American name chipboard screw British name Description Similar to a drywall screw except that it has a thinner shaft

American name particle board screw concrete screw Tapcons masonry screw confast screw blue screw self-tapping screw Titen

British name

deck screw

Description and provides better resistance to pull-out in particle board, while offset against a lower shear strength. The threads on particle board screws are asymmetrical. A stainless or carbon steel screw for fastening wood, metal, or other materials into concrete or masonry. Concrete screws are commonly blue in color, with or without corrosion coating. [19] They may either have a Phillips flat head or a slotted hex washer head. Heads sizes range from 0.1875 to 0.375 in (4.763 to 9.525 mm) and lengths from 1.25 to 5 in (32 to 127 mm). Typically an installer uses a hammer drill to make a pilot hole for each concrete screw. Similar to drywall screw except that it has improved corrosion resistance and is generally supplied in a larger gauge. Most deck screws have a type-17 (auger type) thread cutting tip for installation into decking materials. They have bugle heads that allows the screw to depress the wood surface without breaking it. Similar to a wood screw but with two pointed ends and no head, used for making hidden joints between two pieces of wood. A hanger bolt has wood screw threads on one end and machine threads on the other. A hanger bolt is used when it is necessary to fasten a metal part to a wood surface. Specialized screw with a bugle head that is designed to attach drywall to wood or metal studs, however it is a versatile construction fastener with many uses. The diameter of drywall screw threads is larger than the shaft diameter.

double ended screw dowel screw hanger bolt

drywall screw

American name eye screw screw eye

British name

Description Screw with a looped head. Larger ones are sometimes called lag eye screws. Designed to be used as attachment point, particularly for something that is hung from it. Similar to a wood screw except that it is generally much larger running to lengths up to 15 in (381 mm) with diameters from 0.250.5 in (6.3512.70 mm) in commonly available (hardware store) sizes (not counting larger mining and civil engineering lags and lag bolts) and it generally has a hexagonal drive head. Lag bolts are designed for securely fastening heavy timbers (post and beams, timber railway trestles and bridges) to one another, or to fasten wood to masonry or concrete.

lag bolt lag screw[20]

coach screw

Lag bolts are usually used with an expanding insert called a lag in masonry or concrete walls, the lag manufactured with a hard metal jacket that bites into the sides of the drilled hole, and the inner metal in the lag being a softer alloy of lead, or zinc alloyed with soft iron. The coarse thread of a lag bolt and lag mesh and deform slightly making a secure near water tight anti-corroding mechanically strong fastening.
mirror screw This is a flat-head wood screw with a tapped hole in the head, which receives a screw-in chrome-plated cover. It is usually used to mount a mirror. Has sharp threads that cut into a material such as sheet metal, plastic or wood. They are sometimes notched at the tip to aid in chip removal during thread cutting. The shank is usually threaded up to the head. Sheet metal screws make excellent fasteners for attaching metal hardware to wood because the fully threaded shank provides good retention in wood.

sheet metal screw

American name Twinfast screw

British name

wood screw

Security head screw

Description A Twinfast screw is a type of screw with two threads (i.e. a lead of 2), so that it can be driven twice as fast. [21] Dry wall screws designated as fine are the most common screws to use the twinfast style of threads. [22] A metal screw with a sharp point designed to attach two pieces of wood together. Wood screws are commonly available with flat, pan or oval-heads. A wood screw generally has a partially unthreaded shank below the head. The unthreaded portion of the shank is designed to slide through the top board (closest to the screw head) so that it can be pulled tight to the board it is being attached to. These screws are use for security purpose. The head of this type of screw is impossible to reverse. It requires special tools or mechanisms like spanners, tri-wings, torxes, square drivers, etc. In some screws, the head can be removed by breaking it after installing the screw.

Fasteners with a non-tapered shank[edit]

American name anchor bolt British name Description A special type of bolt that is set in wet concrete, with the screw threads protruding above the concrete surface. A breakaway bolt is a bolt with a hollow threaded shank, which is designed to break away upon impact. Typically used to fasten fire hydrants, so they will break away when hit by a car. Also used in aircraft to reduce weight. The term cap screw refers to many different things at different times and places. Currently, it most narrowly refers to a style of head (see the gallery below). More broadly, and more commonly, it refers to the group of

breakaway bolt cap screw

American name Narrow definition

British name

Wide definition

Description screws: shoulder screws, hex heads, counter-sunk heads, button heads, and fillister heads. In the US, cap screws are defined by ASME B18.6.2 and ASME B18.3. [23][24] In the past, the term cap screw, in general, referred to screws that were supposed to be used in applications where a nut was not used, however the characteristics that differentiated it from a bolt vary over time. In 1910, Anthony defined it as screw with a hex head that was thicker than a bolt head, but the distance across the flats was less than a bolt's. [25] In 1913, Woolley and Meredith defined them like Anthony, but gave the following dimensions: hex head cap screws up to and including 716 inches (11.1125 mm) have a head that is 316 inches (4.7625 mm) larger than the shank diameter; screws greater than 12 inches (12.7 mm) in diameter have a head that is 14 inches (6.35 mm) larger than the shank. Square head cap screws up to and including 34 inches (19.05 mm) have a head 18 inches (3.175 mm) larger than the shank; screws larger than 34 inches (19.05 mm) have a head 14 inches (6.35 mm) larger than the shank.[26] In 1919, Dyke defined them as screws that are threaded all the way to the head. [18]

A socket cap screw, also known as a socket head capscrew, socket screw, "set screw" or Allen bolt, is a type of cap screw with a cylindrical head and hexagonal drive hole. The term socket head capscrew typically refers to a type of threaded fastener whose head diameter is nominally 1.5 times that of the screw shank (major) diameter, with a head height equal to the shank diameter (1960 series design). Forged heat-treated alloy examples are high strength fasteners intended for the most demanding mechanical applications, with special alloy formulations available that are capable of maintaining strength

American name

British name

Description

at temperatures in excess of 1000 degrees F (587 degrees C). In addition to the 1960 series design, other head designs include low head, button head and flat head, the latter designed to be seated into countersunk holes. A hex key (sometimes referred to as an Allen wrench or Allen key) or hex driver is required to tighten or loosen a socket screw. Socket head capscrews are commonly used in assemblies that do not provide sufficient clearance for a conventional wrench or socket.
A carriage bolt, also known as a coach bolt, has a domed or countersunk head, and the shank is topped by a short square section under the head. The square section grips into the part being fixed (typically wood), preventing the bolt from turning when the nut is tightened. A rib neck carriage bolt has several longitudinal ribs instead of the square section, to grip into a metal part being fixed. An elevator bolt is a bolt similar to a carriage bolt, except the head is thin and flat. There are many variations. Some do not have a square base, but rather triangular sections of the flat head are folded down to form "fangs" that cut into wood and hold it secure.[27] An eye bolt is a bolt with a looped head. A hex cap screw is a cap screw with a hexagonal head, designed to be driven by a wrench (spanner). An ASME B18.2.1 compliant cap screw has somewhat tighter tolerances than a hex bolt for the head height and the shank length. The nature of the tolerance difference allows an ASME B18.2.1 hex cap screw to always fit where a hex bolt is installed but a hex bolt

carriage bolt

elevator bolt

eye bolt hex cap screw hex bolt

American name

British name

Description could be slightly too large to be used where a hex cap screw is designed in. The term fine adjustment screw typically refers to screws with threads from 40-100 TPI (Threads Per Inch) (0.5mm to 0.2mm pitch) and ultra fine adjustment screw has been used to refer to 100-254 TPI (0.2mm to 0.1mm pitch). These screws are most frequently used in applications where the screw is used to control fine motion of an object. A machine screw is generally a smaller fastener (less than 14 inches (6.35 mm) in diameter) threaded the entire length of its shank that usually has a recessed drive type (slotted, Phillips, etc.). Machine screws are also made with socket heads (see above), in which case they may be referred to as socket head machine screws. A plow bolt is bolt similar to a carriage bolt, except the head is flat or concave, and the underside of the head is a cone designed to fit in a countersunk recess. There are many variations, with some not using a square base, but rather a key, a locking slot, or other means. The recess in the mating part must be designed to accept the particular plow bolt. [28][29][30] Similar to a sheet metal screw, but it has a drillshaped point to cut through the substrate to eliminate the need for drilling a pilot hole. Designed for use in soft steel or other metals. The points are numbered from 1 through 5, the larger the number, the thicker metal it can go through without a pilot hole. A 5 point can drill a 0.5 in (12.7 mm) of steel, for example. A self-tapping machine screw is similar to a machine screw except the lower part of the shank is designed to cut threads as the screw is driven into an untapped

Fine adjustment screw

machine screw

plow bolt

self-drilling screw Teks screw

self-tapping machine screw

American name

British name

set bolt

tap bolt

set screw

grub screw

shoulder bolt shoulder screw

stripper bolt

stove bolt

Description hole. The advantage of this screw type over a selfdrilling screw is that, if the screw is reinstalled, new threads are not cut as the screw is driven. A bolt that is threaded all the way to the head. An ASME B18.2.1 compliant set/tap bolt has the same tolerances as an ASME B18.2.1 compliant hex cap screw. A set screw is generally a headless screw but can be any screw used to fix a rotating part to a shaft. The set screw is driven through a threaded hole in the rotating part until it is tight against the shaft. The most often used type is the socket set screw, which is tightened or loosened with a hex key. A shoulder screw differs from machine screws in that the shank is held to a precise diameter, known as the shoulder, and the threaded portion is smaller in diameter than the shoulder. Shoulder screw specifications call out the shoulder diameter, shoulder length, and threaded diameter; the threaded length is fixed, based on the threaded diameter, and usually quite short. Shoulder screws can be manufactured in many materials such as alloy heat-treated steel for maximum strength and wear resistance and stainless steel for its corrosion-resistance and non-magnetic properties. Common applications for shoulder screws include rotating mechanism joints, linkage pivots, and guides for the stripper plate of a metal forming die set. In the latter application, the term stripper bolt is often substituted. Stainless steel shoulder screws are used with linear motion devices such as bearings, as guides and as pivots in electronic and other critical mechanical applications. A stove bolt is a type of machine screw that has a round or flat head and is threaded to the head. They

American name

British name

tension control bolt

thread rolling screws

Description are usually made of low grade steel, have a slot or Phillips drive, and are used to join sheet metal parts using a hex or square nut.[31] A tension control bolt (TC bolt) is a heavy duty bolt used in steel frame construction. The head is usually domed and is not designed to be driven. The end of the shank has a spline on it which is engaged by a special power wrench which prevents the bolt from turning while the nut is tightened. When the appropriate torque is reached the spline shears off. These have a lobed (usually triangular) cross-section. They form threads in a pre-existing hole in the mating workpiece by pushing the material outward during installation. In some cases the properly prepared hole in sheetmetal uses an extruded hole. The extrusion forms a lead-in and extra thread length for improved retention. Thread rolling screws are often used where loose chips formed by a thread cutting operation cannot be tolerated.

Other threaded fasteners[edit]

Superbolt, or multi-jackbolt tensioner[edit] A superbolt, or multi-jackbolt tensioner is an alternative type of fastener that retrofits or replaces existing nuts, bolts, or studs. Tension in the bolt is developed by torquing individual jackbolts, which are threaded through the body of the nut and push against a hardened washer. Because of this, the amount of torque required to achieve a given preload is reduced. Installation and removal of any size tensioner is achieved with hand tools, which can be advantageous when dealing with large diameter bolting applications. Hanger screw or hanger bolt[edit] A hanger screw is a headless fastener that has machine screw threads on one end and self-tapping threads on the other designed to be driven into wood or another soft substrate. Often used for mounting legs to tables. Also known as a dowel screw.

Materials[edit]
Screws and bolts are usually made of steel. Where great resistance to weather or corrosion is required, like in very small screws or medical implants, materials such as stainless steel, brass, titanium, bronze, silicon bronze or monel may be used. Galvanic corrosion of dissimilar metals can be prevented (using aluminum screws for double-glazing tracks for example) by a careful choice of material. Some types of plastic, such as nylon or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), can be threaded and used for fastenings requiring moderate strength and great resistance to corrosion or for the purpose of electrical insulation. Often a surface coating is used to protect the fastener from corrosion (e.g. bright zinc plating for steel screws), to impart a decorative finish (e.g. japanning) or otherwise alter the surface properties of the base material. Selection criteria of the screw materials include: size, required strength, resistance to corrosion, joint material, cost and temperature.

Bolted joints[edit]

Rusty hexagonal bolt heads Main article: Bolted joint

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) 13th Edition Steel Design Manual section 16.1 chapter J-3 specifies the requirements for bolted structural connections. Structural bolts replaced rivets due to decreasing cost and increasing strength of structural bolts in the 20th century. Connections are formed with two types of joints: slip-critical connections and bearing connections. In slip-critical connections, movement of the connected parts is a serviceability condition and bolts are tightened to a minimum required pretension. Slip is prevented through friction of the "faying" surface, that is the plane of shear for the bolt and where two members make contact. Because friction is proportional to the normal force, connections must be sized with bolts numerous and large

enough to provide the required load capacity. However, this greatly decreases the shear capacity of each bolt in the connection. The second type and more common connection is a bearing connection. In this type of connection the bolts carry the load through shear and are only tightened to a "snug-fit". These connections require fewer bolts than slip-critical connections and therefore are a less expensive alternative. Slip-critical connections are more common on flange plates for beam and column splices and moment critical connections. Bearing type connections are used in light weight structures and in member connections where slip is not important and prevention of structural failure is the design constraint. Common bearing type connections include: shear tabs, beam supports, gusset plates in trusses.

Mechanical classifications[edit]
The numbers stamped on the head of the bolt are referred to the grade of the bolt used in certain application with the strength of a bolt. High-strength steel bolts usually have a hexagonal head with an ISO strength rating (called property class) stamped on the head. And the absence of marking/number indicates a lower grade bolt with low strength. The property classes most often used are 5.8, 8.8, and 10.9. The number before the point is the ultimate tensile strength in MPa divided by 100. The number after the point is 10 times the ratio of tensile yield strength to ultimate tensile strength. For example, a property class 5.8 bolt has a nominal (minimum) ultimate tensile strength of 500 MPa, and a tensile yield strength of 0.8 times ultimate tensile strength or 0.8(500) = 400 MPa. Ultimate tensile strength is the stress at which the bolt fails. Tensile yield strength is the stress at which the bolt will receive a permanent set (an elongation from which it will not recover when the force is removed) of 0.2% offset strain. When elongating a fastener prior to reaching the yield point, the fastener is said to be operating in the elastic region; whereas elongation beyond the yield point is referred to as operating in the plastic region, since the fastener has suffered permanent plastic deformation. Mild steel bolts have property class 4.6. High-strength steel bolts have property class 8.8 or above. The same type of screw or bolt can be made in many different grades of material. For critical high-tensile-strength applications, lowgrade bolts may fail, resulting in damage or injury. On SAE-standard bolts, a distinctive pattern of marking is impressed on the heads to allow inspection and validation of the strength of the bolt. However, low-cost counterfeit fasteners may be found with actual strength far less than indicated by the markings. Such inferior fasteners are a danger to life and property when used in aircraft, automobiles, heavy trucks, and similar critical applications.

Inch[edit]

SAE J429 defines the bolt grades for inch-system sized bolts and screws. It defines them by grade, which ranges from 0 to 8, with 8 being the strongest. Higher grades do not exist within the specification.[32][33] SAE grades 5 and 8 are the most common.
[show]Head markings and properties for inch-system hex-head cap screws [34]

Metric[edit]
The international standard for metric screws is defined by ISO 898, specifically ISO 898-1. SAE J1199 and ASTM F568M are two North American metric standards that closely mimic the ISO standard. In case of inch sizes the grade is dictated by the number of radial shapes plus a value of two. Inch-system bolts use integer values to indicate grades but metric bolts use numbers with one decimal. The two North American standards use the same property class markings as defined by ISO 898.[41] The ASTM standard only includes the following property classes from the ISO standard: 4.6, 4.8, 5.8, 8.8, 9.8, 10.9, and 12.9; it also includes two extra property classes: 8.8.3 and 10.9.3.[42] ASTM property classes are to be stamped on the top of screws and it is preferred that the marking be raised.[43]
[show]Head markings and properties for metric hex-head cap screws[43]

Screw head shapes[edit]

(a) pan, (b) dome (button), (c) round, (d) truss (mushroom), (e) flat (countersunk), (f) oval (raised head)

Combination flanged-hex/Phillips-head screw used in computers Pan head A low disc with chamfered outer edge Button or dome head Cylindrical with a rounded top Round head A dome-shaped head used for decoration. [48] Mushroom or Truss head Lower-profile dome designed to prevent tampering

Countersunk or flat head Conical, with flat outer face and tapering inner face allowing it to sink into the material. The angle of the screw is measured as the full angle of the cone. Oval or raised head A decorative screw head with a countersunk bottom and rounded top. [48] Also known as "raised countersunk" (UK) Bugle head Similar to countersunk, but there is a smooth progression from the shank to the angle of the head, similar to the bell of a bugle Cheese head Disc with cylindrical outer edge, height approximately half the head diameter Fillister head Cylindrical, but with a slightly convex top surface. Height to diameter ratio is larger than cheese head. Flanged head A flanged head can be any of the above head styles (except the countersunk styles) with the addition of an integrated flange at the base of the head. This eliminates the need for a flat washer.

Some varieties of screw are manufactured with a break-away head, which snaps off when adequate torque is applied. This prevents tampering and also provides an easily inspectable joint to guarantee proper assembly. An example of this is the shear bolts used on vehicle steering columns, to secure the ignition switch.

Types of screw drives[edit]

Part of a series on

Screw drive types

Slot (flat)

Phillips PH

Pozidriv (SupaDriv) PZ Square

Robertson (square)

Hex

Hex socket (Allen)

Security hex socket (pinin-hex-socket) Torx T & TX Security Torx TR Tri-Wing

Torq-set

Spanner head (Snake-eye) Triple square XZN Polydrive

One-way

Spline drive

Double hex

Bristol

Pentalobular

This box:

view talk edit

Main article: List of screw drives

Modern screws employ a wide variety of drive designs, each requiring a different kind of tool to drive in or extract them. The most common screw drives are the slotted and Phillips in the US; hex, Robertson, and Torx are also common in some applications, and Pozidriv has almost completely replaced Phillips in Europe. Some types of drive are intended for automatic assembly in massproduction of such items as automobiles. More exotic screw drive types may be used in situations where tampering is undesirable, such as in electronic appliances that should not be serviced by the home repair person.

Tools[edit]

An electric driver screws a self-tapping phillips head screw into wood

The hand tool used to drive in most screws is called a screwdriver. A power tool that does the same job is a power screwdriver; power drills may also be used with screw-driving attachments. Where the holding power of the screwed joint is critical, torque-measuring and torque-limiting screwdrivers are used to ensure sufficient but not excessive force is developed by the screw. The hand tool for driving hex head threaded fasteners is a spanner (UK usage) or wrench (US usage).

Thread standards[edit]
The following text needs to be harmonized with text in Screw thread. Main article: Screw thread

There are many systems for specifying the dimensions of screws, but in much of the world the ISO metric screw thread preferred series has displaced the many older systems. Other relatively common systems include the British Standard Whitworth, BA system (British Association), and the Unified Thread Standard.

ISO metric screw thread[edit]

Main article: ISO metric screw thread

The basic principles of the ISO metric screw thread are defined in international standard ISO 68-1 and preferred combinations of diameter and pitch are listed in ISO 261. The smaller subset of diameter and pitch combinations commonly used in screws, nuts and bolts is given in ISO 262. The most commonly used pitch value for each diameter is the coarse pitch. For some diameters, one or two additional fine pitch variants are also specified, for special applications such as threads in thin-walled pipes. ISO metric screw threads are designated by the letter M followed by the major diameter of the thread in millimeters (e.g., M8). If the thread does not use the normal coarse pitch (e.g., 1.25 mm in the case of M8), then the pitch in millimeters is also appended with a multiplication sign (e.g. "M81" if the screw thread has an outer diameter of 8 mm and advances by 1 mm per 360 rotation). The nominal diameter of a metric screw is the outer diameter of the thread. The tapped hole (or nut) into which the screw fits, has an internal diameter which is the size of the screw minus the pitch of the thread. Thus, an M6 screw, which has a pitch of 1 mm, is made by threading a 6 mm shank, and the nut or threaded hole is made by tapping threads into a hole of 5 mm diameter (6 mm - 1 mm). Metric hexagon bolts, screws and nuts are specified, for example, in British Standard BS 4190 (general purpose screws) and BS 3692 (precision screws). The following table lists the relationship given in these standards between the thread size and the maximal width across the hexagonal flats (wrench size):
ISO metric thread Wrench size M1. M2. M1 M1 M1 M2 M2 M3 M3 M4 M4 M5 M6 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 6 5 0 2 6 0 4 0 6 2 8 6 4 3.2 4. 5.0 5. 7. 8. 10. 13. 17. 19. 24. 30. 36. 46. 55. 65. 75. 85. 95.