Button head screws have a flat head that provides a wide bearing surface. They are commonly used in mechanical applications when a visually aesthetic appearance is desired or when clamping material is too thin to countersink. These high strength fasteners have an internal hex drive and are tightened with a hexagon wrench or hex key. They also enable higher torques than traditional slotted or phillips drive machine screws. Socket Drive Socket drive button head screws are a type of socket cap screw that is inserted into (as with in-hex sockets) or over a fastener and turned with a wrench or socket ratchet. Like other types of socket cap screws, they are tensile or compression fasteners. Socket set screws, including low head, flat head and button heads, are used in a variety of applications, such as metal stamping dies and plastic injection molds. They can also be found in machinery, power transmission and hand and power tools. The different sizes of socket screws are marked with two numbers, one denoting the drive socket size and the other the socket head size. Most socket sets include a variety of both drive socket and socket head sizes to accommodate fasteners in varying diameters. Socket drive button head screws are often rated at 180,000 psi higher than their hex counterparts because of the wider load bearing surface that resists loosening. Wide Bearing Surface In general, we think of surfaces as either smooth and new or rough and worn. However, this is not always the case. Surface wear is a complex phenomenon and it can be both removal of material from the surface and redistribution of the remaining material. Screws can come in a wide variety of heads, drive types and bearing surfaces. These differences are often used to increase tensile strength, allow a particular head shape to fit in tight spaces or create a more aesthetic appearance. Button Head Socket Cap screws are great for tight spaces as they have a low head height and provide a large load bearing surface. They also provide a high tensile strength and can be tightened to higher torque specifications than standard cross recessed or slotted drive machine screws. Low Profile With a head height half or one-third of the size of standard socket heads, these screws are useful in applications where space for a full head is limited. They have a wide contact face to distribute force over a larger area and can help with clamping thin materials. These fasteners can be driven with the same tools as a hex drive machine screw, but they can support higher torque specifications. They’re ideal for applications where aesthetics are a concern and the clamping material is too thin to countersink the screw. Metric & Multistandard carries button head socket cap screws in standard threads, and also offers custom sizes. They’re available in many different materials, including 316 stainless steel that resists corrosion and chemical attacks. These bolts are an excellent choice for use in marine, medical, or food-related applications. They can be used in conjunction with other fasteners to improve the strength and appearance of your products. High Torque With a low domed head and wider bearing surface than standard socket cap screws, these metric button head machine screws are ideal for applications that require a more visually appealing appearance. While they do not offer the strength of a standard socket cap screw, they are able to resist loosening from counterclockwise torque with greater ease than slotted head machine screws. These screws feature a tamper resistant hex drive (also known as pin-in hex) that makes it difficult for unscrupulous workers to remove them by hand. They are primarily made from 18-8 stainless steel with good chemical resistance and may be mildly magnetic. Torx drive button head machine screws provide a secure fastening solution for limited space installation areas. With their six-lobe design, they transfer driving forces more evenly than a conventional flat head screw and are a great choice for damp environments like automotive, furniture, and agricultural applications. These screws can be used with a variety of locking and non-locking nuts, tightly clamping together whatever they’re being installed on.
