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, dog point, & knurled point set screws. Cold forming is a key process that enhances their durability & precision by shaping the metal blank at room temperature. This ensures high performance in demanding applications. Ask us about our domestic, cold forming, ASME 18.3-2012 cold formed inventory.
Socket Set Screws come in a variety of sizes, alloys, & points to meet the demands of your various industrial needs & requirements. Check out our specifications & technical data below in order to choose the right set screw & point for your specific application.
Socket Set screws are a unique fastener that is used to secure objects in very tight spaces across multiple industries.
What is a Socket Set Screw?
Socket set screws, often referred to simply as “set screw” or “grub screws,” are a type of fastener commonly used to secure one object within or against another. These are designed without a head, allowing them to be fully.
Other Names
Grub screws (especially in Europe)
Headless 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 created a secure indent in 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 & better wear resistance.
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
Manufacturing & Machinery: In mechanical assemblies, socket set screws securely hold gears, pulleys, & collars onto shafts, preventing slippage & ensuring precise positioning.
Aerospace: Because of their reliability & space-saving attributes, socket set screws are used in aircraft components where both space and secure fastening are critical.
Automotive: Socket set screws secure components within engine assemblies & external parts such as knobs, levers, & mirrors. They are especially used in throttle assemblies due to the strong resistance to vibrations.
Electronics: electronic devices, socket set screws secure circuit boards, connectors, and housings. Their small size & strong grip are ideal for confined spaces, especially when precision is essential.
Medical Equipment: Socket set screws are used to fasten & to align various components within medical devices, ensuring stability & precision.
Tips
When choosing a specific socket set screw consider:
The type of material surface
The type of contact point
The type of movement ~ static or dynamic application
The amount of external space
The application environment
Summary
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.
