Socket Head Cap Screws are ideal when space is limited with easy access to the drive along with the highest strength rating of most fasteners. Socket head cap screws are easy to identify due to their unique head style and smart appearance. The top of the cylindrical head on a socket head cap screw is flat and chamfered the side may be plain or knurled and the bearing surface is flat. Use a hex key also called an Allen wrench or hex power bit to drive a socket screw Socket screws are either full or part threaded and have uniformly threads meaning they maintain the exact same diameter throughout the entire length of the threaded section of the fastener unlike self tapping or chipboard screws which have tapered threads. They are one of our most popular fasteners Also known as: Socket Head Allen Bolts Socket Hex Cap Screws Cap Screws Allen Bolt Socket Screws SHCS Material / Coating: Zinc Plated is the most common fastener of plating due to its the low cost and shinny bright silver finish. A thin layer of Zinc is applied by either electroplating or mechanically. It is intended to be used internally. Whilst some people use it externally it isnt recommended if corrosion is a concern. If you want a fastener that will withstand the outdoor elements choose from our Stainless steel range Galling: can occur when excessive pressure is used to tighten a nut onto a thread common with stainless fasteners but can also be an issue with other materials. Fasteners with damaged or fine threads are particularly prone to galling. Some suggestions to help prevent thread galling: Tightening the nut more slowly without excessive pressure will frequently reduce or sometimes solve completely the problem. As the installation RPM speed increases the heat generated with friction during tightening escalates the chances of thread galling. Reduce the friction by applying a suitable lubricant to the thread frequently eliminates thread galling. Typical lubricants are chloride-paraffine molykoat lacquer molybdenum disulphide high pressure oil graphite mica or talc some assemblies where there is extreme pressure corrosion resistant grease or waxes may also be effective Thread Pitch (Metric): is the distance between the peaks of two threads along a screw bolt nut or fastener expressed in millimetres (mm). Used when referring to Metric parts. For example a thread pitch of 1.50mm means that the distance between one thread and the next is 1.50mm Fastener Length: is generally measured from the point where the surface of the material will be when the fastener is installed to the end of the fastener. Thus fasteners with heads that sit above the surface are measured from under the head to the end of the fastener while fasteners that sit flush with the surface are measured from the top of the head to the end of the fastener Measurements: Thread Lengths have been included as a guide only. Due to stock being sourced from multiple suppliers variations do exist. All material is advisory only and its use by anyone is entirely voluntary. Reliance on it for any purpose by anyone is at the sole risk of that person and Bolt and Nut Australia is not responsible for any loss claim or damages arising therefrom. In developing this information Bolt and Nut Australia has made a determined effort to present it