Hex socket set screws and spigot ISO 4028-45H zinc plated blue M20x70 mm

Steel is an iron-carbon alloy with a maximum carbon content of 2% by mass. The steels achieve their intended physical and mechanical properties through various hardening, annealing and tempering processes. It is also possible to harden the edge zone by surface hardening, case hardening or nitriding. Well-known steel grades are structural steels, free-machining steels, case-hardening steels, nitriding steels, tempering steels, tool steels and stainless steels.

Blue galvanised finishes are produced either by electroplating in accordance with DIN EN ISO 4042 or by mechanical plating in accordance with DIN EN ISO 12683. For fasteners with a hardness exceeding 390 HV, there is a risk of hydrogen embrittlement during galvanising (electrolytic process). This necessitates specific measures (such as annealing), although these do not provide a 100 per cent guarantee against embrittlement.

Compared with a Phillips-head screw of the same size, a hex socket screw can withstand around ten times the torque. Hex socket screws are well suited to bolted joints where the screw heads are difficult to access due to the design of the structure. Hex socket screws can be countersunk to save space if protruding screw heads are a problem.

Hardness classes are specified for set screws and similar fasteners that are not subject to tensile stress, which are regulated for stainless austenitic steels in ISO 3506-3 and for carbon steel and alloy steel in ISO 898-5. ISO 3506-3 defines the two hardness classes 12H and 21H, ISO 898-5 defines the four hardness classes 14H, 22H, 33H and 45H. The hardness class designation 45H means 450 HV (Vickers hardness).