Screw Materials?

smcfalls13

smcfalls13

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Aug 5, 2005
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There's very little solid information online regarding the common steels used in fasteners(it's all comparisons), so I'm asking you guys.

What's the strongest steel commonly used for screws? Which steels are hardenable?

Corrosion resistance and magnetism are irrelevant to me. I don't use my knives in a manner where either would matter, so I'd like to focus on strength, and I'd like to know what to look for before I go shopping.

Any recommendations?
 
Scott in my machinist training I have some reference books on screws & fasteners. The one book that is like a BIBLE to me in that field is the Machinery's Handbook by Industrial Press. There is a wealth of great information in there. There is also a lot of stuff about brass, aluminum & Titanium fasteners as well. There are definitely different grades. Stay away from Chinese made fasteners of all types>> I can't stress that enough
 
You can also look at some of the NASA specs/requirements for fasteners. They also mention various Army reqs./specs.

But, you'll still want to look at the Machinery Handbook (a misnamed book - the thing is thick).

A quick google to get started is "fastener torque" - which brings up a lot of info to get you started on the fastinating topic of fastener strength. Here was an interesting one I found quick - http://www.tcnj.edu/~rgraham/barrett/manual1-A.html

As far as the strongest goes, look at the yield stress for the material. Note that most manufacturers list the generic values required for specific classifications ( such as at - http://www.textronfasteningsystems.com/eng_tools_f/grades.html).

In the end, you'll be stuck with Grade 8 (English) or Grade 12.9 (Metric). Materials themselves just don't show up too often in the discussion unless your talking magnetic, corrosion resistance, etc.
 
Great input there Orthogonal1: One of my instructors told me recently about an organization that has a lot of information on materials of all kinds. Their acronym is ASTM which stands for the American Society for Testing & Materials. When I was taking Metallurgy & Process Planning classes we had their charts all over the lab. They seem like a real clearinghouse for such information in that area. The instructor also told me that they set a lot of standards and so forth. ;)
 
ASTM and ASME are the most prevalent organizations for standards and such in the U.S. But, they are the tip of the iceberg.

The thing with either organization's material is that you have to know where to find the information. A good college library is a handy place to look at their publications - especially on disc (they ain't cheap). But, most contracts will specify what reference should be used in the choice of fasteners and such.
 
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