Popular Screw Head Styles And Their Applications

Choosing the right fastener for a specific job can be a painstaking process. If you want to get it right, you often need to consider many different things including the material the fastener has to be made out of as well as its design. For instance, if you intend to get aluminum Phillips screws or even nitronic 50 hex head cap screws, one of the decisions you will need to make is what type of head that the screw should have.
This is a decision that has to be carefully thought out, since there are times when the head type will affect the overall outcome of using the fastener. For instance, if you need the fastener to be flush with the surface of the material you are fastening, there are some head types that will not suffice.

To do this, you will need to have a basic understanding of the common fastener head types. Once you understand the pros and cons of each, you will be in a better position to determine which one to get for your application. Some of the common ones include:

The pan head

This is a head type that has a low profile and larger diameter compared to other types. In addition to that, it has a raised rim, which gives it better torque when fastening and undoing it. One of the main benefits of this head type is that it’s very discreet, since it will sit flush with the surface of the material you are fastening.

The flat head

This type of head normally has a countersunk portion that makes it easy to center during fastening. It is also a good choice for when you need the fastener to be flush with the surface of the material.

 

The round head

This is by far the most popular fastener head type. However, changes in preferences around the world mean that today, most people prefer the pan head to the round head. However, there are a few instances where you would still go for the round head fasteners, such as when you need this design to achieve a specific aesthetic look.

Truss heads

Fasteners made of truss heads usually have a low rounded head. The point of this design is to cover a very large diameter in the material being fastened. This type of fastener is commonly used to piece together sheet metal. The fact that the head is flat means that it often sits flush with the surface of the material.

The Phillips Wafer

This is a relatively rare type of fastener head. It features a think and flat head that resembles a wafer. It has a Phillips slot in the center for easy fastening and removal. This type of fastener head is noted for being aesthetically pleasing since it has a low profile look and feel. It’s commonly used in electronics design.
These are just some of the common head types; there are many more out there. The next time you intend to use fasteners such as screws, it would be wise to make sure that you pick a head design that will fit your application.