A socket set screw is a type of fastener designed to secure an object within or against another without the use of a nut. It is commonly found in applications across aerospace, electronics, air pollution control, chemical processing, power generation, & manufacturing industries. Socket set screws play a crucial role in locking components in place preventing motion or rotation.
Nickel Systems offers a wide range of set screws in materials such as 410 stainless steel, Alloy 20, brass or other alloy steel. We also stock various points including cup point, flat point and knurled point socket set screws.
Socket set screws come in a variety of sizes, alloys and points to meet the demands of your various industrial needs. Check out our specifications and technical data below in order to choose the right set screw and point for your specific application. We also accommodate custom sizes and configurations upon request.
Set screws, also known as grub screws or blind fasteners, are headless screws that feature full threading along their length. These fasteners secure objects in place by applying compressive force against an adjacent component. Unlike standard screws, set screws sit flush with the surface, eliminating obstruction in moving parts.
Key Characteristics
Socket set scores come with:
Low profiles: The absence of a head allows the screw to remain embedded in the assembly and minimize interference.
Full-length threading: These screws provide consistent grip along the entire length.
Varied point styles: Set screws come in distinctive tip shapes that provide different levels of holding power.
Counterbored holes: Set screws are typically installed into tapped holes.
Common Types of Set Screws
Common varieties include:
Hex socket set screws
Square socket set screws
Bristol spline set screws
Slotted set screws
What Is a Socket Set Screw?
Socket set screws are unique fasteners used to secure objects in very tight spaces across multiple industries. They are a subset of set screws featuring an internal recess and a cylindrical body with threads running from end to end.
Most socket set screws have a hexagonal (hex) socket on the top designed to be tightened or loosened using a hex key or an Allen wrench. Unlike slotted set screws, socket set screws offer reliable torque transfer, especially in tight spaces where a conventional screwdriver might not fit. The absence of an external head provides a clean, integrated appearance in assembled products.
Other Names
These scores are sometimes called:
Grub screws (especially in Europe)
Headless screws
Headless socket screws
Allen screws (referencing the Allen wrench required to install them)
Description
A socket set screw is a threaded fastener with no external head, meaning it has a fully cylindrical body with its threads running its entire length from one end to the other. They are typically installed into a tapped hole, with the screw’s end pressing against the inner object. Most socket set screws have a hexagonal (hex) socket on the top. This is designed to be tightened or loosened using a hex key or an Allen wrench.
Types of Socket Set Screws
Several types of socket set screws exist. Each one has its own unique features for specific applications.
Knurled point: This set screw features a textured end. The knurling adds additional friction and grip. It is often used in applications that have vibration.
Flat point: This type has a simple flat tip. The tip provides contact over a larger surface. It is often used in softer materials to avoid damage.
Oval point: This tip features a rounded, oval-shaped tip, designed to minimize the damage to the surface of the secured component
Cup point: This tip has a concave tip. The tip enhances the grip by creating a secure indent on the surface of the fastened material.
Dog point: These have an extended cylindrical tip. It can be precisely fitted into a hole or a slot. It is ideal for aligning two components without excessive pressure.
Cold Forming
Cold forming, also known as cold heading, is a manufacturing process commonly used to produce socket set screws. In cold forming, the metal blank is shaped into screws without heating the material above its normal room temperature.
There are several benefits to cold forming:
Increased strength: The process enhances the metal’s grain structure, resulting in higher tensile strength and better wear resistance.
Precision and consistency: Cold forming provides precise tolerances and consistent shapes.
Cost efficiency: Cold forming generates minimal material waste, making it a cost-effective option for high-volume socket set screw manufacturing.
Properties – Monel 400 is a copper-alloy known for it excellent corrosion resistance, especially in seawater & acidic environments.
Applications – This alloy is ideal for marine & chemical processing applications where resistance to saltwater & acidic corrosion is essential.
Cold Formability – Monel 400 is well-suited for cold forming, maintaining strength & durability through the process.
410 Stainless Steel
Properties – 410 stainless steel is a high-hardness, martensitic stainless steel that provides moderate corrosion resistance along with good strength & wear resistance.
Applications – This alloy is used in applications requiring a strong, durable fastening solution, especially in industrial settings.
Cold Formability – This alloy is used in the cold forming of socket set screws.
Properties – Alloy 20, also known as Carpenter 20, is a nickel-iron-chromium alloy designed for superior resistance to sulfuric corrosion & stress corrosion cracking.
Applications – Often used in the chemical, petrochemical, and pharmaceutical industries, especially in settings where sulfuric acid is present.
Cold Formability – Alloy 20 is amenable to cold forming, allowing it to be used in highly precise applications without losing its corrosion resistance.
Brass
Properties – Brass is a copper-zinc alloy known for its corrosion resistance, electrical conductivity, & relative ease of machining.
Applications – Due to its non-magnetic & corrosion-resistant properties, brass is widely used in electronics.
Cold Formability – Brass is easily cold-formed, making it suitable for intricate socket set screw designs where non-corrosive properties are essential.
Alloy Steel
Properties – Alloy steel includes various alloys with elements like chromium, molybdenum, & nickel to enhance strength, hardness, & wear resistance.
Applications – These screws are used in high-stress environments such as heavy machinery, construction, & automotive industries.
Cold Formability – Alloy steel is commonly cold-formed, though it may require heat treatment post-forming to achieve optimal hardness & strength.
Industries & Applications
Socket set screws made from high-performance alloys offer functional and reliable fastening solutions across numerous industries.
Chemical Processing
Socket set screws in the chemical processing industry need excellent corrosion resistance in environments with harsh chemicals such as acids, alkalis and saltwater.
Applications: Pump components, joints in chemical reactors, and shafts and paddles in mixing environments with corrosive chemicals
Because of their reliability and space-saving attributes, socket set screws are used in aircraft components where both space and secure fastening are critical.
Headless screws enable nonintrusive clamping in delicate electrical assemblies. Their small size and strong grip are ideal for confined spaces, especially when precision is essential.
Applications: Circuit boards, connectors and housings
Socket set screws offer reliable fastening solutions for manufacturing and machinery, particularly in applications that require precise alignment and strong resistance to environmental and mechanical stresses.
Applications: Gears, pulleys, collars, shafts and couplings
Here are a few considerations to help you select the most appropriate socket set screw configuration for your application:
Point type: Select the appropriate point style based on the type of surface and level of holding power you require.
Material options: Opt for alloys that offer the necessary resistance to corrosion and wear in your operating environment.
Type of movement: Consider whether you will subject the fasteners to static or dynamic motions.
Dimensions: Ensure the screw’s diameter and thread pitch match your assembly requirements.
Technical data: Use our detailed specifications to cross-check performance metrics and ensure compliance with industry standards.
Application dynamics: Identify whether you require static holding or frequent adjustment in your application.
Contact Nickel Systems Today for Premium Socket Set Screws
In summary, socket set screws are versatile, high-strength fasteners with a headless design, ideal for applications requiring a secure, flush fastening. Their variety of types allows for customization based on the demands of different industries. This makes them indispensable in many engineering and manufacturing settings. Nickel Systems offers a wide range of types, shapes, sizes, & materials both in small and high volumes. Request a quote today.
Nickel Systems provides high quality exotic grade materials that hold up in the toughest, most severe heat and corrosive environments. With our large inventory of specialty fasteners in stock, we are always ready to answer the call to serve the most challenging applications.
Nickel Systems maintains an inventory of split lock washers in Hastelloy® (Alloys C276, C22, B2), Carpenter® 20 (Alloy 20), 18-8 and 316 Stainless. Current inventory includes 317L Stainless, K-Monel® (Alloy 500) and AL6XN®. Additionally, we can re-machine certain sizes to produce hi-collar lock washers for use with socket head cap screws.
Cold Forming
