Why are all hex bolts used in machinery and equipment? What is the advantage compared to hex bolts? 

Why are all hex bolts used in machinery and equipment? What is the advantage compared to hex bolts? 

Nowadays, if mechanical equipment wants to be designed properly, fasteners are essential. But if you look closely, you will find that almost all fastening designs use hex bolts.

So, why do many of our companies use hex bolts instead of hex bolts for manufacturing equipment? What is so good about it?

Today we will discuss the advantages and disadvantages between hex bolts and hex screws.

1. hex bolts

The threads on hex bolts are generally fine threads, with good self-pinability, mainly used for thin-walled parts or subject to shock, vibration or alternating loads.

The advantage of hex bolts is that the preload contact area is large, can be used with a large preload force, generally used in large equipment, the price is cheaper than the hexagon, the disadvantage is that the space occupied by a large, can not be used for countersunk holes.

2. Hexagon socket bolts

Hexagon socket bolts are commonly used in machinery, mainly to facilitate timely fastening and disassembly, and have the advantage of not easily slipping corners.

The manufacturing cost of hex bolts is much lower than that of hexagonal bolts, and it has the advantage that the screw head (wrench stress position) is thinner than hexagonal bolts, and there are places where hexagonal bolts can not be replaced. In addition, low cost, low power strength, low precision requirements of machinery using hexagonal bolts than hex bolts much less.

The advantages of hex bolts are that they take up less space, can be used as countersunk heads, and are usually used on small devices. The disadvantages are that the preload contact area is too small to use excessive preload, they are expensive, and they are not fully threaded beyond a certain length.

So why are hex bolts used in most mechanical devices?

①. The load bearing is greater

Hexagon bolts have six bearing surfaces, which are more resistant to torsion than straight head screws and Phillips screws that have only two bearing surfaces.

Note: The material of hex bolts is generally made of stainless steel, carbon steel, alloy steel, and other styles of bolts are basically no difference in material, the higher the performance evaluation level of high strength is getting bigger and bigger, when choosing a bolt, must be through the strict use of technical requirements we choose their own suitable performance level of the screw, different grade system, the price is not the same.

②. you can countersink processing

The entire nut sinks to the inside of the workpiece, so that the surface of the workpiece is flat and beautiful.

③. Easy to install

Compared with hex bolts, hexagonal bolts are suitable for more assembly occasions, especially narrow occasions, so assembly and maintenance are very convenient, and debugging is also convenient.

④. Not easy to disassemble

The tools we usually use are socket wrenches, screwdrivers and wrenches, while special wrenches must be used to disassemble hexagonal bolts, so it is not easy for the general public to disassemble them, which is also a benefit.

The above is the reason why many mechanical devices choose hexagonal bolts, and I hope it can give you an important reference when choosing hexagonal bolts. To learn more about hexagonal bolts or need high quality bolts, please feel free to consult Mux