What is a Socket Screw?

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What is a Socket Screw?

• Socket screws are a kind of screw designed and
  manufactured using an internal hexagonal
  (hexagonal) drive built into the head. As such,
  they are designed to be tightened and loosened
  with an Allen wrench or hex key, as opposed to a
  standard screwdriver.
• This is the key feature which sets a socket screw
  apart from other screw head drive styles like
  the Phillips head screw, slotted, flathead
  screws, and Pozidriv screws to name just a few.
• Another common distinction is that socket screws
  are usually squared off at the tip. These are
  normally referred to as flat point socket screws
  and they tend to be the most widely used kind
  found in many common applications. Although, it
  is worth noting that several other designs are
  also available.
• In most other regards, there is not generally
  much physical difference between socket screws
  and standard screws for the majority of everyday
  uses. So what exactly is the point of a socket
  screw, and when should you use it?
• Basically, socket screws join some of the
  increased performance features of other common
  hex fasteners nut and bolt systems being the
  apparent point of reference with the convenience
  and ease of use of a regular format screw set.
  This middle ground could be a useful compromise
  in many situations, especially when working in

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small spaces or areas without easy access to
secure externally wrenched hex fasteners.
Advantages of Socket Screws The potentially
higher torque and clamping force that can be
obtained with a hexagon socket screw over an
ordinary screw make it a preferable option in
some applications. Compared to standard screws
and bolts on a model for a similar test, socket
head screws can typically provide some or all of
the following benefits in relevant
scenarios. Since socket screws generally provide
higher clamping force than regular screws and
many other small-format fastener types, fewer
socket screws could be used in a given
application to obtain the same all-around
clamping force on the joint or workpiece.
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• Using fewer screws means
• Lowered hardware costs
• Fewer holes to drill and tap into mounting
  surfaces, saving time and lowering potential
  damage to components
• Lower the total weight of the finished product
• The trend towards lightweight constructions while
  using socket screws is further improved because
  of their smaller individual size than many other
  kinds of screws And the fastening components,
  particularly with respect to the fastening
  arrangements of nuts and bolts.
• In particular, the cylindrical heads and internal
  drives of hexagonal socket head screws have a
  much smaller diameter than the external
  hexagonal head fasteners and thus require less
  space
• without extra space required to manoeuvre a
  wrench for installation.

What is a Socket Head Cap Screw? The name 'cap
screw' was generally used as an umbrella term,
meaning any one of the several screw types
selected for fastening applications where the
use of a nut and bolt installation was
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considered inappropriate. Although, today, it
tends to refer specifically to a certain style
of screw head. Any number of different screw
types and shapes could incorporate elements of
the basic cap screw head design you may find
anything from shoulder screws and countersink
screws, through to button and fillister head
screws are generally described as cap screws. A
socket head screw is also commonly known as a
socket screw, an allen bolt or simply a socket
screw. In many ways, it is very much the regular
version of a socket screw. Socket head cap screws
are used extensively in industrial production as
well as assembly lines, including in the
automotive sector, furniture manufacture,
machine tooling applications and steel
fabrication. This is chiefly because of the fact
that they are simple to install and tighten or
loosen, as well as offering impressive clamping
strengths while maintaining a discreet and tidy
finished look. As with the vast majority of all
socket screws, the socket head cap screw
features a cylindrical head with an internal hex
drive hole and is usually threaded all the way
along the full length of the shank. Similarly,
they are mainly designed to be used in assemblies
where there is not sufficient clearance to
install a traditional nut and bolt or to
manoeuvre a regular socket wrench.
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Socket Screw Sizes The ordinary socket cap screw
head is around 1.5 times the diameter of the
screw shank, and about as high as the shank is
wide. Although, replacement head designs for
socket head cap screws consist of low head,
button head and flat head varieties, designed
for driving into countersunk holes and other
application-specific mounting positions. When
looking to buy socket screws, note that the
stated length of the product is generally
measured from immediately under the head to the
tip. This is the case for most screw types, but
some certain varieties - thumb screws, for
instance will usually give stated length
measurements which include the height of the head
in the overall specification. Most socket screw
types are available in either metric or imperial
measurements for length and diameter, depending
upon the certain manufacturer or supplier in
question. Many large brands and socket screw
manufacturers will generally offer a socket screw
sizing chart or similar tool which could be
referred to at the point of sale. While
relatively small socket screw sizes of diameters
starting from M2 to M6, and lengths of around 3
millimetre to 20 millimetre tend to be in
greater demand across an extensive range of tasks
and applications, the complete range of
available sizes is considerable. Larger, heavier
gauge and extra-long socket screws are not at all
unusual, especially in widths of around M8 to
M20, and lengths of anywhere up to
130mm. Extra-long socket screws are generally
found in electrical plug sockets. Regular
electrical socket screw sizes include 40mm,
50mm, 60mm, 75mm and 100mm.
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Socket Screw Materials There are many different
materials used in the production of socket
screws. The most common materials are steel and
stainless steel but options include brass,
aluminium, black nickel, zinc-plated and chrome
socket screws. The ideal material to choose will
depend on the precise application where the
socket screw will be used. Some of the most
common socket screw materials are Continue To
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