2: Threads and Strengths: Actual Cap Screw Strengths

8: Actual Cap Screw Strengths

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The strength of a cap screw is a function of the cap screw diameter. The portion of the cap screw with the smallest diameter will effectively determine the actual strength of the fastener. The actual strength of a cap screw can be calculated by multiplying the cross-sectional area of the cap screw by its tensile strength in PSI. We have seen that ne thread cap screws have a greater cross-sectional area than coarse thread fasteners. We will calculate this using the tensile stress area formula found on page 14: Tensile Stress Area = .7854 x (D 0.9743/n) 2 D = cap screw basic diameter (1/4, 5/16, etc) n = number of threads per inch

The following chart contains information showing: 1. The tensile stress area for coarse and ne thread cap screws. 2. Percent strength difference between coarse and ne thread. 3. Actual tensile strengths for Grade 8 fasteners and several high tensile strength private label cap screws. Table 2.8.1 Displays tensile stress area for coarse/ne thread cap screws, percent strength difference between them, and actual tensile strengths for Grade 8 fasteners, and private label cap screws. Cap Screw Diameter 1/4 5/16 3/8 1/2 5/8 3/4 1 Thread Coarse Fine Coarse Fine Coarse Fine Coarse Fine Coarse Fine Coarse Fine Coarse Fine Tensile Stress Area .0318 .0364 .0524 .0580 .0775 .0878 .1419 .1599 .2260 .2560 .3340 .3730 .6060 .6630 % Strength Actual Cap Screw Strengths (lbs. tensile) Difference: SAE Gr. 8 High Tensile High Tensile UNC to UNF 150,000 PSI 165,000 PSI 180,000 PSI 4,770 5,247 5,724 14.4% 5,460 6,006 6,552 7,860 8,646 9,432 10.7% 8,700 9,570 10,440 11,625 12,787 13,950 13.3% 13,170 14,487 15,840 21,285 23,413 25,542 12.7% 23,985 26,383 28,782 33,900 37,290 40,680 13.3% 38,400 42,240 46,080 50,100 55,110 60,120 11.7% 55,950 61,545 67,140 90,900 99,990 109,080 9.5% 99,450 109,395 119,340

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2: Threads and Strengths: Actual Cap Screw Strengths

Grade 8 cap screws are the highest tensile strength hex headed fasteners recognized by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). These are the highest grade and strongest fasteners normally used by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). There is a recognized need, in certain applications, for higher strength capability than can be obtained with standard coarse thread fasteners. Fine threaded fasteners are designed for applications where additional strength is required. From the actual cap screw strength chart, several things become apparent: 1. Fine thread fasteners can provide an appreciable increase in strength over the comparable sized coarse threaded fastener. 2. Both the SAE and ASTM recognize the need for additional strength and have standardized ne thread fastener to ll this need. the

3. Fine threaded fasteners can offer strength capability similar to high tensile strength private label fasteners. High tensile strength fasteners, produced under private label contracts, are not recognized by the SAE or ASTM, and are not used in original equipment, nor are they tested by OEMs for suitability in their equipment. Where additional strength is required, SAE and ASTM specication ne threaded fasteners are available. These ne threaded products provide consistent SAE and ASTM specied performance levels. Unlike high tensile strength specialty cap screws, ne thread Grade 5 and Grade 8 fasteners are generally available for the same, or similar cost as their coarse thread counterparts.