Dongguan CHEKSINE Metal Technology Co., Ltd.
It is a professional manufacturer of screws and nuts and other fastener products integrating R&D, production, processing and sales.

It is a professional manufacturer of screws and nuts and other fastener products integrating R&D, production, processing and sales.

Specializing in the production of special precision screws and nuts of various standards such as Chinese standard GB, Japanese standard JIS, British BS, American ANSI and ISO.

At present, the smallest screw diameter that our company can produce is 0.4mm, the shortest is 0.4mm, and the longest is 300CM.

Home > Blog > What Is A Machine Screw

What Is A Machine Screw

2025-07-26 15:01:19

What Is A Machine Screw?

A machine screw is a type of fastener designed to be threaded into a pre-tapped hole or used with a Nut. Unlike wood screws or sheet metal screws, machine screws feature a uniform diameter along their entire length and are manufactured to precise dimensional tolerances, typically conforming to standards such as ISO 4762, ANSI B18.6.3, or DIN 912. These screws are commonly made from materials like carbon steel (Grade 2, 5, or 8), stainless steel (A2 or A4), or brass, with tensile strengths ranging from 60,000 psi (Grade 2) to 150,000 psi (Grade 8).

Key Characteristics of Machine Screws

  • Thread Type: Machine screws feature unified (UNC or UNF) or metric (M3 to M12) threads with pitch diameters controlled within ±0.002 inches for precision fits.

  • Head Styles: Common head types include pan, flat, round, oval, and socket heads, with drive types such as Phillips, slotted, Torx, or hex.

  • Dimensional Accuracy: Shank diameters adhere to strict tolerances (e.g., ±0.001 inches for precision applications) with lengths ranging from 1/8" to 3".

  • Surface Treatments: Options include zinc plating (5-15µm), black oxide (0.5-1.5µm), or electropolishing (Ra 0.2-0.8µm) for corrosion resistance.

  • Torque Specifications: Recommended installation torque varies by size and material (e.g., 10-15 in-lbs for M4 steel screws).

Applications of Machine Screws

Electronics Manufacturing: M2-M6 screws secure circuit boards with 0.5-3 N·m torque requirements, often featuring JIS B 1111 compliant anti-vibration threads.

  • Automotive Systems: Engine components use Grade 8 screws with 180,000 psi tensile strength, heat-treated to HRC 33-39.

  • Aerospace Assemblies: Titanium alloy screws (Ti-6Al-4V) meet NASM 21272 standards for airframe applications.

  • Medical Devices: 316LVM stainless steel screws with Ra ≤ 0.4µm surface finish for implantable devices.

  • Industrial Machinery: Large diameter (M12-M24) screws with DIN 933 threads for heavy equipment assembly.

Maintenance and Care Procedures

Proper maintenance ensures optimal performance and longevity of machine screws:

  1. Cleaning: Use ultrasonic cleaners with pH-neutral solutions (5-7 pH) at 40-60°C for 5-10 minutes to remove contaminants.

  2. Lubrication: Apply molybdenum disulfide grease (NLGI Grade 2) or PTFE-based lubricants to reduce friction during installation.

  3. Torque Verification: Periodically check fastener tension using ultrasonic measurement or calibrated torque wrenches (±2% accuracy).

  4. Corrosion Prevention: For marine environments, specify A4 stainless steel with >500 hours salt spray resistance per ASTM B117.

  5. Replacement Criteria: Replace screws showing >10% thread deformation or corrosion pits deeper than 0.1mm.

Installation Best Practices

  • Always match screw thread pitch (1.25mm for M8 coarse thread) to the mating component

  • Use thread engagement length ≥ 1.5× diameter for optimal strength

  • Apply 30-50% of proof load during installation to prevent yielding

  • For critical joints, implement torque-angle control with ±5° precision

  • In high-vibration environments, use Nord-Lock washers or Loctite 263 threadlocker

Material Selection Guide

MaterialTensile StrengthCorrosion ResistanceTemperature Range
AISI 304 Stainless75,000 psiGood-200°C to 800°C
Alloy Steel (Grade 5)120,000 psiPoor-50°C to 250°C
Phosphor Bronze60,000 psiExcellent-100°C to 200°C

Failure Analysis

Common failure modes and their technical indicators:

  • Fatigue Fracture: Beach marks at 45° angle with crack initiation at stress concentration points

  • Overload Failure: Cup-and-cone fracture with >5% elongation prior to rupture

  • Stress Corrosion: Intergranular cracking with chloride concentrations > 10ppm

  • Galling: Material transfer evidenced by Ra > 3.2µm surface roughness


Next: Screw Fasteners 2025-07-19
Dongguan Qisheng Metal Technology Co., Ltd. was established in 2013. It is a professional manufacturer of screws and nuts and other fastener products integrating R&D, production, processing and sales.
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