What Are The Various Screw Types And Their Applications?

What is a screw?

The screw, a small, pointed piece of metal with a long shaft and helical threads encircling it, is used to twist objects together to make connections. Screws are a fastener to attach materials using instruments like hammers or screwdrivers.

Self-threading screws are frequently produced, which cut into the material when the screw is rotated. By doing this, an internal thread makes it possible to pull the fastening material together while preventing it from being pulled out.

These come in various sizes and forms and serve multiple purposes. Screws are typically round and have more shapes, such as flat, short, long, etc., but because they come in so many different forms, it will be challenging to distinguish between them or learn about them for the project.

Threads are the ridges that surround the cylinder and aid in holding the screw in place. Depending on the driving device, the screw head has various configurations to ensure the force is adequately distributed. On some screws, the shank is the smooth region directly beneath the dome. Screws come in multiple materials, including stainless steel and aluminium, and can be coated to increase their toughness and longevity.

What are the parts of a Screw?

• Drive:

Another name for these parts is screw heads. The aim is a grove that the tip of a screwdriver can fit into to turn the screw. Drives come in a variety of shapes and sizes. In light of this, it should be better to have a selection of screwdriver tips in a personal toolbox.

• Head:

The primary component of the screw, found on top of it, is the head. The screw head can tighten or loosen screws of all varieties. Typically, it is wider than the thread and shank. It is at a position where a screwdriver or wrench can be adjusted.

• Threaded shank:

The screw’s parts, such as the threads and helical grooves, are located in this tapered section. The screw secures the joining bodies in this location.

• Non-threaded shank:

The more extended, unthreaded portion of the screw is located here. Some types of screws could omit this component. Usually, it is at the top where the wood screw’s tip can pull into the wood like a typical screw.

• Thread:

A ridge, or equal part, on the outside or inside of a cylinder or cone shaped like a spiral or helix. The pitch refers to the separation among each thread that matters. Some screws have lines that are short and closely spaced. And some have more widely spread, more significant threads.

• Thread length:

A thread’s length is either entire or partial. As a result, both full and partial screw threads are provided.

• Tip:

This is the bottom of the screw, where it enters the thing you are screwing it into. Usually, screwing by the joining bodies is helpful. Without a tip, it turns into a bolt that needs a hole already made. However, some screws don’t have this portion, where the threads are still visible.

• Crest:

Whether the thread is located in the internal or exterior of the screw, the crest is its main component. The thread’s valley is at the crest.

• Screw thickness:

The minor and major diameters, which comprise the screw’s thickness, are measured. The diameter at the thickest point of the thread is known as the primary diameter, and the diameter at the screw’s base is known as the nominal thickness.

Different Types of Screws and Their Uses

There is a wide range of types of screws that fulfil various purposes; most of them are mentioned as follows.

• Carriage bolts

Carriage bolts are employed to fasten wood to metal or metal. Its shallow mushroom head and rounded shank stand out from other bolts.

The domed head of the carriage bolt is designed to prevent slippage from one side. The giant screw head prevents the bolt from being pulled through the wooden framework. A domed head nut prevents the carriage bolt from releasing from the unsecured side.

• Wood Screws

To join wood to wood in basic woodworking and building applications, use wood screws. Wood screws are an excellent option for woodwork because of their coarse threads, smooth shank, and tapered head. The screw will need a pilot hole or already drilled hole before you insert it into the wood unless the screw is self-tapping, in which case it can be pushed into the wood without first needing to be tapped. Different thread types are used in wood screws depending on the type of wood. Typically, coarse thread screws work best for connecting hardwoods like oak, while smaller thread screws work best for fastening softwoods like pine. Even though wood screws can have a wide variety of heads, they usually have either round or flat heads. A flat charge will be more flush with the final piece of wood, while a round head will sit somewhat above the wood. Wood screws are offered with suitable finishes in interior or exterior styles.

• Decking screws

These screws are specialized fasteners typically used outside to join decks on flats or other buildings without roofs. Decking screws generally are used to join boards made of wood or composite materials. They are constructed of carbon or stainless steel.

They are designed in a way that they can survive corrosion and coatings like rust, which allows them to withstand wet weather conditions. They come in wrapped threads with pointed ends and sharp edges.

• Double-ended screws

A connection is made with double-ended screws and threaded fasteners commonly used beneath the object. Usually, these are used with two pieces of wood or two moving parts. They typically possess two pointed ends that can be inserted into two surfaces to form a hidden junction.

These headless screws, which can combine both wood screws and machine screws, have rotating threads on both ends. Due to their ease of attachment to and removal from the user, double-ended screws are generally easy to use.

• Drywall screws

Metal or softwood studs are typically used with drywall screws to attach the panels. These self-tapping screws have a cylinder shaft and are different from other types. These screws don’t come away from the walls because they possess deeper threads than standard screws and a substantially higher pitch and length.

They require a power screwdriver yet are simple to drill under the surface of drywall because of their coarse thread and flat head. Although they have a tighter grip than deck screws, drywall screws do not have the same level of corrosion resistance. Since they contain a built-in drilling point, they do not need predrilled holes.

• Eyebolt screws

A bolt with an eye-shaped loop at one end and threading on the screw’s shank at the other is known as an eye bolt. The eye bolt screws secure a secure eye to a system or structure, making it simple to knot cables or ropes.

These are made of metal and very lightweight, providing stability and strength so that an object may be taken out or hoisted easily using a rope. Standard applications for eyebolt screws include anchoring, pulling, pushing, and boosting.

• Framing screws

For applications including sheet metal, wood, composite decking, and cement fiberboard, framing screws are a common type of screw. These unique sorts of screed are made to fit a range of materials, from brittle materials to hardwood flooring.

Framing screws are similar to circular saw blades in that they keep sawdust from getting too close to the edge of the screw hole. Framing screws are frequently used in outdoor projects like constructing decks and installing kitchen cabinets.

• Fillister head screws

Slotted head machine fasteners are fillister head screws. These pan heads, which resemble machine screws but have broader heads and can be used to fasten metal or wood to metal, are familiar with machine screws in appearance. These are also sometimes referred to as cheese head screws.

These screws’ heads are typically selected for counterbore holes. They help reciprocate and slot drives because of their big deep heads. But generally speaking, cheese head screws are a fantastic option for creating tools and automotive applications.

• Hex cap screws

Hex cap screws are hexagonal six-sided bolts with a washer face on the bearing surface and a perforated hex head. These screws are used to fasten metal or wood together. These screws are chamfered and feature strict body dimension tolerances.

Hex screws are perfect for interior home repair jobs since they have short steel threads. These screws offer accurate application and have a flat washer underneath the screw head. Hex bolts are primarily used in buildings, ports, bridges, and road infrastructure.

• Hammer drive screws

The self-tapping screw group includes the screws in this category. These screws often have rounded heads without slots. Hammer drive screws can plug drain holes and hang nameplates and wall signage.

They are also highly beneficial for corrosion-resistant tubular structures. As with nails, screws are hammered or slammed into the holes when being utilized for rapid installation. A predrilled hole small in size is necessary before starting to install them properly.

• Lag screws

To firmly penetrate wood or other materials, lag bolts, also known as lag screws and carriage screws, have a big diameter and a longer length. Lag bolts are highly resilient and covered with a corrosion-resistant coating to prevent them from deteriorating from exposure to the environment or other corrosive materials used in construction. They are frequently seen in decks, walls, and other outside buildings where they are used to make robust connections. A more stable method of joining thick pieces of wood is carriage bolts, a type of lag bolt. They are also tamper-proof due to their rounded heads, making them perfect for outside structures in public areas. Lag bolts frequently need extra tools and a predrilled pilot hole to be driven into the material.

Lag screws are employed for heavy lifting and are frequently used in construction to join pieces of wood. Due to its length, the lag bolt offers a strong connection. They are therefore utilized for materials that can support huge loads or may be subjected to strong forces. Compared to conventional wood screws, they are typically much heavier. These screws are distinct from common sheet metal or wood screws.

• Machine screws

A machine screw is used to attach components and is equipped with a socket in the head that enables screwdriver operation. In fields like electronics and engineering, along with manufacturing equipment, they are frequently used to hold machine parts in place.

These screws have a particular purpose: to secure a tapped hole to the surface with a nut. Tensile loads hold the pieces together while the screws are tightened. They typically join metal elements together with their pointed tips. They are visible in every material, including brass, stainless steel, nylon, and carbon steel.

• Masonry screws

Concrete, CMU, brick and mortar joints, and other robust materials are held in place with the help of powerful screws known as masonry screws. They are made of carbon or stainless steel and can be ordered with or without a corrosion treatment.

The masonry screw cannot be installed until a small hole has been predrilled with a carbide bit or hammer drill. Two different types of masonry screws are available: ones with a flat head for countersinking and ones with a hex washer head to sit on top of the material’s surface.

• Oval head screws

These screws have shorter screw lengths and undercut or small heads, often providing a more extended thread grip. The screw head of oval-head screws is slightly countersunk and sits midway above the surface.

Often used to cover switches, oval countersunk screw heads feature a rounded finish top. They are also a superb choice for enhancing the final product’s beauty. These screws typically come in two varieties: Phillips oval head screws and rounded head screws.

• Pan-head screws

Pan-head screws typically have non-countersunk screw heads and are utilized in wood. These also include machine screws, self-drilling screws, and self-tapping screws. These fasteners have smooth bearing surfaces, flat heads with rounded sides that lie on top of the material they fasten to, and broad heads.

The drive slot is more profound, more comprehensive, and has higher edges, which increases torque while lowering the risk of screw damage. Pan-head screws with single cuts in their slotted heads can be driven with any screwdriver. Most of the metal components of industrial and automotive engines are secured with these screws.

• Particle board screws

For particle boards, full-length threaded screws are employed. The more comprehensive thread on these screws has the advantage of improving engagement and pulling force. This screw is made from composite wood, such as laminated particle board or driftwood. Cabinet makers also employ it in their domestic and industrial joinery.

Particle board screws are shorter than standard drywall screws, similar to drywall screws. They are portable and easy to handle due to their small weight. Cabinet manufacturers use these screws in both residential as well as commercial woodwork.

• Square head bolts

In contrast to hex cap screws, which have a six-edged hexagonal head, square head bolts have a four-edged appropriate authority. They can be used with a wrench and are also referred to as bolts and screws. These screws have a shoulder under the head that is partially threaded.

The size of the bolt’s head is determined by the square head screw’s function and purpose. To make the nut tighter and the two components, use this kind of screw. Before hex bolts became popular, square-head screws were known to be the industry norm.

• Self-drilling screws

The pointed end of self-drilling screws is highly sharp; it virtually functions as a drill bit and cuts threads to create beneficial tap holes during installation. They don’t need pilot holes since they have a drill-bit-like tip. Typically, self-drilling screws are used for fast drilling in metal and wood.

The point and flute tip of these are typically used to identify them. They can drill and tap holes in more challenging materials, saving you from using the tool. The fact that the point of these screws curls at the end and resembles a twist drill makes them simple to identify.

• Set screws

A set screw can fix an object to a shaft, within another thing, or against another object by providing pressure and friction. To fasten a set screw, two items must first be drilled with threads. A set screw is then placed into the drilled hole without a nut.

The projected end of the set screw presses firmly against the second object after it has been inserted into the first one, acting like a clamp. These are frequently headless and threaded around, so they fit entirely inside the hole.

• Shoulder screws

This kind of screw provides a connection for a freely rotating pin joint in one part and fits into the other. There is a big diameter shank below the head, and the threaded length has a smaller leg.

To give the other part axial clearance, this design enables a shoulder screw to be fitted tightly to one component without locking it. These screws offer flexibility by serving as the shaft for spinning objects like shoulder bearings.

• Sheet metal screws

Two pieces of sheet metal can be joined or bound together with other metals, such as tubing, using sheet metal screws. Metal objects can be fastened to one another or secured with sheet metal fasteners. Three types of screw sizes are available: round, hex, and flat.

Sheet metal screws feature a fine thread along the shank and pointed ends. With their utterly threaded shank, these screws drive through sheet metal. These screws provide the benefits of excellent penetration, resistance to corrosion, and superior holding.

• Socket-head screws

A machine screw with a cylindrical barrel-shaped head and a hexagonal socket is known as a socket cap screw. They can be used where external dampening fasteners are undesirable because of their cylindrical heads and internal wrenching properties.

When a fastener is required to sit below the material’s surface, these screws are ideal. They may give robust and dependable results wherever a joint is needed and have corrosion resistance. In addition to these, they provide a pleasing and high-quality finish.

• Thread-cutting screws

These screws have sharp edges because the depth of the hole is a little bit larger than that of the screw. This arrangement will stop the metals from being stuck inside the device. Metal and wood are regularly utilized with thread-cutting screws.

These are used to reduce internal tool tension buildup, which makes them ideal for extremely tough materials. It is more challenging to work with materials with less compressive strength than a thread-forming screw because it lacks a cutting edge.

• Washer-faced screws

These screws narrow the space between the nut and the screw head by serving as springs. Washer-faced screws come in a wide range of styles and dimensions.

Specific versions have teeth that puncture the surface of the workpiece and secure the screw head inside. In this design, the washer face is immediately below the head and provides a smooth bearing surface for quick tightening.

• Wood screws

As their name suggests, these screws are used to secure wooden objects. Steel, brass, and bronze are the most used materials to create wood screws. Wood screws are available with a variety of heads and threads. As we approach the top, the screw’s diameter gradually becomes slightly larger than its tip. These come with base threads that are either fully or partially covered. The use determines the screw’s head size.

• Weld screws

Weld screws must be welded to a metal surface with a shaft to keep the object in place using a nut and washer. The screw is welded to the plate by applying a powerful electrical impulse to melt a mainly designed location on the screw, then on the plate. The welded screw extends from the head to permit welding without drilling any holes. The welding stud is then attached to a piece of metal placed on the metal base. They work in the construction, manufacturing, maritime, transportation, and aerospace industries.

• Tamper-proof screw

When installed, tamper-proof screws make the removal challenging or impossible. These are suitable for controlling or preventing destruction in buildings or areas accessible to the general public.

These are the safety screw varieties that may be identified by their distinctive drive, which makes them more difficult to tamper with or dismantle. Typically, these screws are used in prisons to secure grill bars, gutters, and registration plates.

Conclusion

Many different types of screws are available on the market, each with unique benefits and applications. Understanding the various screw types and their capabilities allows you to choose the best option for your needs. If you’re unsure which type of screw is right for your project, contact our screw suppliers or manufacturers for more information. You can find the perfect screw to get the job done right with some research.