Produced by: IHS Engineering 360 Media Solutions October 2015

Bolt Threads
Sponsored by: Bayou City Bolt & Supply Co., Inc.

It might be unusual to think of bolts and nuts as cutting-edge technology, but for at least
1,800 years these fasteners were nothing less. Until the Industrial Revolution, the six After centuries
classical machines were responsible for every mechanical advantage. Of the original six of metal-working
machines, screws were likely the last to be invented, but also the most revolutionary.
practice, threaded
They could be used to convey objects linearly or to pump fluids, as in Archimedes’ famous fasteners are
screw pump. Screws were effective as gear reductions in worm drives. Most importantly, manufactured to
they could assemble materials reliably and proficiently.
precision tolerances
It’s easy to argue that bolts and nuts are just as high-tech today. After all, most compound and must meet the
machines are hybrids of simple machines. Now, after centuries of metal-working practice, robust demands
threaded fasteners are manufactured to precision tolerances and must meet the robust
demands of today’s high-efficiency, high-performance marketplace. As such, bolts are
of today’s high-
increasingly specialized and standardized, with no end in sight. efficiency, high-
performance
The differences between today’s bolts and nuts go far beyond dimensions. Do you know the
difference between rolled threads and cut threads? What about thread fit classes? Metric
marketplace.
thread vs. Unified Thread Standard? Or coarse versus fine thread?

More significantly, does your supplier know the difference, and can it develop hardware to
meet your specific applications?

Thread Manufacture
Even in technical parlance there is often no distinction made between screws and bolts.
The truth is that these terms were in use before the advent of machined threaded fasteners,
so they are often used interchangeably. Standards bodies have concluded that it’s not
specifications or manufacturing method that differentiate these fasteners; rather it’s how
they are used. As outlined by Machinery’s Handbook and ASME B18, screws are externally
threaded fasteners that mate with internal threads or can be driven through materials to
assemble components. To install or remove a screw, torque is applied to the fastener head.
Bolts are also externally threaded, but they are held in place while torque is applied to a
nut. Compatible internal threads must have the same geometry as the threads on the bolt.

Sponsored by:
To the naked eye it might appear that all fastener threads are created equal. In fact
there are two methods used to manufactured threads—rolling and cutting—that affect
fastener functionality. Cutting requires a blank rod that is the exact diameter as the bolt
specification, and excess material is cut away from the blank to create threads. This results
in a thicker diameter before the threads start. All standard bolt sizes and thread types can
be manufactured via cutting. Generally, bolts and screws with cut threads have better shear
strength, but are also more complicated to manufacture and more expensive. Produced by:

To fabricate rolled threads, a blank with a diameter slightly smaller than the designated
end diameter is used. The blank is deformed by dies to create the helical peaks and valleys
that wrap around the bolt shaft. This creates a fastener with smoother threads that also
weighs less than same-sized cut bolts. These fasteners are cold-worked, which hardens
Bolt Threads

the threads. Overall, rolling is a fast, efficient and less costly the same, the notation is simplified; a 4G4G bolt would be
method of threading blanks. There are some constraints, labelled 4G instead. Threads with higher tolerance install
such as limits on thread length and bolt diameters, and some quicker and are better-suited to accommodate coatings such
materials are too hard to be cold worked by dies. Two types of as a threadlocker.
structural bolts, A325 and A490, cannot be rolled because of
these restrictions. Diameter Type Internal thread External thread
Pitch Five types: grade 4, Seven types: grade
grade 5, grade 6, grade 3, grade 4, grade 5,
These conditions mean rolled threads are suitable for 7, grade 8 grade 6, grade 7,
most applications, as they’re less expensive, and on
Crest Five types: grade 4, Three types: grade 4,
average 7% stronger than cut threads. Whereas cold grade 5, grade 6, grade grade 6, grade 8
working hardens the minimum diameter, cutting 7, grade 8
abrades it and weakens the material surface. Typically Source: Bayou City Bolt  © 2015
the only instance where cut threads are explicitly sought
are when specified materials are too hard to be rolled. Additionally, tolerance positions can be of the following types.
Lowercase letters indicate external threads and uppercase
Standardization letters indicate internal threads.
In the 19th century, industrialization and machining
advances led to mass-produced and distributed fasteners. Thread type Tolerance position grade
Competing bolts of the same size with incompatible threads Internal G, H
led to interoperability problems, especially with imported External E, f, g, h
machinery. It took a global event of epic proportions
(World War II) to foster international cooperation on bolt Source: Bayou City Bolt  © 2015

standardization. Canada, the United States and the United

Kingdom were unable to fix each other’s tanks and vehicles When compared to UTS, 6g metric threads will be very similar
during the war, so in 1949 they adopted the Unified Thread to a 2A UTS bolt in terms of thread fit.
Standard (UTS) that outlined thread criterion using inch
measurements. Meanwhile, the metric system was gaining UTS bolts that have diameters of less than 1/4 inch are
popularity in Europe and Asia, leading to the United Kingdom provided gauge numbers, but inch measurements are used
dropping UTS and adopting the metric system instead. Today, between 1/4 and 1 inch sizes. The second number of a UTS bolt
Canada and the United States remain the only markets with designates the threads per inch (TPI). UTS bolts sizes between
high concentrations of UTS hardware. According to ISO, #0 and #10 have two possible TPI configurations (coarse and
global hardware popularity is split 60% metric, 31% UTS and fine), while diameters of #12 and above can have two or three
9% other. TPI configurations (coarse, fine and extra fine). For instance,
a UTS bolt labelled #3-48 is a gauge 3 bolts or screw with 48
With the largest market share, metric bolts are the most threads per inch, and a 1/4-20 screw has a 1/4 inch diameter
easily identified. Denominations begin with the letter M and and 20 threads per inch.
the number immediately after indicates the bolt diameter
in millimeters. Metric fastener threads are also specified Thread fit is also a concern for UTS screws and bolts. Loose
according to thread pitch, which is the distance between fitting hardware is better for applications that require
adjacent threads, again in millimeters. This is represented by quick assembly and disassembly, but precision fits (class 3)
the last number in a metric bolt’s designation. For example, a are best for high-accuracy, high-strength joints and harsh
bolt labelled M10 x 1.5 is a metric bolt with a 10 mm diameter environments, such as socket head bolts in an engine. A-class
and 1.5 mm between threads. threads are used for external threads and B-class threads are
for internal threads.
Thread fit categorizes the tolerances between the peaks and
Thread class Tolerance Application
valleys (crests and roots) of mating threaded hardware. In
1A 1.50% pitch Only for fast and easy assembly and
metric descriptions, thread fit is classified by a number and diameter disassembly; rarely used.
letter system; lower numbers indicate threads with higher 1B 1.50% pitch
precision and letters indicate tolerance position. In some diameter
instances hardware may actually be labelled with two sets 2A 1.10% pitch Acceptable for the majority of
of thread fit measurements. The first label represents the diameter applications; most common UTS bolt class.
pitch diameter (the imaginary diameter that cuts the threads 2B 1.10% pitch
half way—the distance is equal from the major and minor diameter
diameters), while the latter represents the crest diameter, 3A 0.80% pitch High-accuracy, high-strength applications;
which is the minor diameter on internal threads and the diameter safety.
major diameter on external threads. For example, a 4G5G 3B 0.80% pitch
bolt would have a grade 4 pitch internal thread and a grade diameter
4 crest internal thread. When the pitch and crest grades are Source: Bayou City Bolt  © 2015

2
Bolt Threads

Standards bodies have spent immense effort classifying Metric

thread pitch because it determines the thread tensile stress Diameter (mm) Coarse pitch Fine pitch (and extra fine)
area, which can be discovered with this equation. The stress is 1 .25 .2
correlated to the TPI of the bolt. 1.2 .25 .2
1.4 .3 .2
As=π/4 × (D-(.938194 ×p))^2 1.6 .35 .2
1.8 .35 .2
Where: 2 .4 .25
As: tensile stress area 2.5 .45 .35
D: bolt diameter 3 .5 .35

p: 1/threads per inch (TPI) 3.5 .6 .35

4 .7 .5
5 .8 .5
For example, let’s compare the tensile stress area of two
6 1 .75
screws. The first is a 3/4-10 UNC screw.
7 1 .75
8 1.25 1 (.75)
.3382=π/4 ×(.75-(.938194 ×(1/10)))²
10 1.5 1.25 (1)
12 1.75 1.5 (1.25)
The second screw has the same diameter, but a different TPI; 14 2 1.5
it is a 3/4-16 UNF screw. 16 2 1.5
18 2.5 2 (1.5)
.3754=π/4 ×(.75-(.938194 ×(1/16)))² 20 2.5 2 (1.5)
22 2.5 2 (1.5)
As demonstrated by the equation, it is the screw with the 24 3 2
greater TPI that has the larger tensile stress area. 27 3 2
30 3.5 2
Lastly, threads on both metric and UTS fasteners are also 33 3.5 2
categorized as coarse, fine or extra-fine. UTS thread types 36 4 3
are typically labelled UNC (Unified Coarse), UNF (Unified 39 4 3

Fine) or (Unified Extra Fine (UNEF). There is no difference 42 4.5 3

45 4.5 3
in manufacturing quality between coarse, fine and extra-
48 5 3
fine thread types, but there are differences in how they are
52 5 4
employed.
56 5.5 4
60 5.5 4
Coarse threads are thicker and more durable than fine- 64 6 4
threaded hardware. Coarse-threaded fasteners can also be Source: Bayou City Bolt  © 2015
installed more quickly. For instance, a 3/4-10 UNC requires 10
rotations to install 1 inch of the bolt shaft, while a 3/4-16 UNF
UTS
would require 16 rotations. Coarse threads offer clearance for
Diameter (gauge
thread plating and are less likely to gall. These threads are also number or inch)
Coarse TPI Fine TPI Fine fine TPI

unlikely to strip if the bolt is made of a soft material. #0 n/a 80 n/a

#1 64 72 n/a
Fine and extra-fine threads can be examined together. Their #2 56 64 n/a
smaller pitches and greater TPI equate to better tensile #3 48 56 n/a
strength, and a larger minor diameter provides better shear #4 40 48 n/a

strength. Smaller thread helix angles also provide superior #5 40 44 n/a

#6 32 40 n/a
resistance to vibration in fine-threaded fasteners, a very
#8 32 36 n/a
important consideration. Thin materials are appropriate for
#10 24 32 n/a
fine and extra-fine threads. These are also more useful for
#12 24 28 32
precision applications.
1/4 20 28 32
5/16 18 24 32
Based on these detailed standards, 91% of threaded fasteners
3/8 16 24 32
belong to one of these designations.
7/16 14 20 28
1/2 13 20 28
9/16 12 18 24
5/8 11 18 24
3/4 10 16 20
7/8 9 14 20
1 8 12 20
Source: Bayou City Bolt  © 2015

3
Bolt Threads

This document can be an invaluable reference point when

selecting fasteners, but there is no need to commit it to
memory. All of this information is based on the expertise
of Bayou City Bolt’s knowledgeable engineers and
representatives who can help your organization keep track of
the exhausting variations of threaded screws, bolts and nuts.

For almost two millennia threaded hardware has supported

some of the most important innovations in human history.
Now your company has the chance to leverage the high-tech
benefits of today’s novel hardware solutions.

Take advantage of the best fasteners modern machining has

to offer by visiting www.bayoucitybolt.com or calling BCB at
866-670-4008.

BAYOU CITY BOLT & IHS ENGINEERING 360 ABOUT BAYOU CITY BOLT & SUPPLY CO., INC.
SUPPLY CO., INC. MEDIA SOLUTIONS Since 1962 Bayou City Bolt has carried an extensive stock of hard to find items. From the
30 Tech Valley Drive, #102 smallest machine screws to the largest hex nut, Bayou City Bolt can fulfill your fastener
6331 Cullen
East Greenbush, NY 12061 needs. The company also offers the lowest minimums in the industry, and sell by the piece
PO Box 330264
Tel: +1 518 880 0200 or in bulk - you buy only the fasteners you need! In addition to the standard fasteners,
Houston, TX 77233-0264
Bayou City Bolt stocks the fasteners other bolt companies are unwilling to carry.
Online at: www.bayoucitybolt.com/index.html

7666-TB-0115 4