Screws are mechanical fasteners with external threads, used to join two items or materials. Unlike nails, they can be easily removed, and with different head designs, tightened to specified torque to ensure a strong and lasting connection. There are dozens of types. Much of the variation is down to the various head and drive types. While many screws are tightened or loosened with a screwdriver, socket screws rely on Allen keys or hex wrenches. This provides distinct advantages, including higher torque and clamping force.
What are Socket Screws?
Socket screws are a type of fastener with a cylindrical head and recessed hexagonal (hex) drive. They’re installed or removed using a socket or hex wrench or Allen key, as opposed to screws requiring a screwdriver. The fasteners go by different names, so besides socket screws, you’ll also hear of hex cap screws, hex socket head cap screws or Allen head screws among other names.
One of the main differences compared to other screws, besides the distinctive design, is that they’re preferred in applications requiring high holding strength, but where bolts and nuts cannot be used, or are deemed impractical. The head and hex drive designs, along with partial or full threading along the shaft offer clamping force comparable to bolts, but in a smaller profile, making them ideal for use in tighter spaces and where appearances matter. As such, socket screws are some of the toughest screws sold, and are the only fasteners feasible in applications where ordinary wrenches are unwieldy or impossible to use.
Common Types
Socket screws are available in different types. The most common include the button head screw, countersunk socket screws and socket set screws.
Button Head Socket Screws
These also go by the name of round-head or dome-head socket screws. They are recognisable by the wide load-bearing surface and domed head, allowing for Allen keys and socket drivers in larger gauges. The unique, tapered design offers high torque and clamping force with a full thread, tamper-proofing to resist unwanted loosening and smooth edges for decorative uses. Safety is also a key feature with no sharp edges. For a more secure fit, use button head screws with a matching retaining washer.
The fasteners are often used in machine assembly, in varied automotive and aerospace components (including interior trim and engine parts), and in securing electronic components, such as motherboards and hard drives. The flush profile works in confined spaces, with little overhead or clearance. Moreover, these fasteners are utilised in furniture assembly, specifically for their clean appearance and in construction applications, where the low profile is preferred for metal framing and varied structural uses.
Versatility, strength, low profiles and the flush finish make button head screws the preferred fastener in many industries and applications, and with the tamper-proof hex drive, a worthy option for security uses. Like other socket screws, they come in a range of materials, thread types (fine or coarse) and sizes to suit intended uses.
Countersunk
Countersunk or flat-head socket screws are seen in applications where the screw sits flush or just below the surface of the joined components. A distinct design feature is the shoulder or unthreaded portion, placed at a slope of 82 degrees in imperial fasteners and 90 degrees in metric screws. The shoulder ensures secure fastening, with shorter shoulders better for light-duty applications. Common uses are in electronics, industrial equipment and automotive parts.
Set Screws
This type of socket screw is used in permanent joints, with the threading installed in one object exerting force in another. The screws are available with different tips (cone, cup, dog point and flat), in fine or coarse threads, and are mostly used in automotive and aerospace applications where the design is preferred for its resistance to lateral and rotational forces, ensuring a secure fit void of vibrations.
Materials and Sizes
Socket screws can be sourced in several different materials and imperial and metric sizes. Stainless and alloyed steels are common in demanding industrial and construction uses, aluminium is preferred for corrosion resistance and low weight, specifically in electronics and furniture, while zinc and nickel-plated are chosen for outdoor use and high rust resistance. For decorative purposes, choose set screws in copper or brass.
Besides choosing the right materials, also take into account precise sizing. This refers to the thread diameter and overall length. Metric sizes (or diameters) are M2, M3, M4 and M6 and lengths range between 3 and 20mm. Also, consider head height and head diameter, particularly for button head screw types, to ensure you get the desired look.
Why Choose Socket Screws?
There are distinct advantages to using socket screws. They offer a visually appealing finished look to the joined components, fit cleanly with no protrusions, and are resistant to tampering or unloosening. The distinct head and drive design allows tools (socket wrenches and Allen keys) to apply large amounts of torque when tightening, so provides a secure fit and high clamping strength, and the low profiles mean you can assemble parts and workpieces with minimal fuss, even in tighter spaces.
