AL-JUBAIL PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY, L.L.D.P.E.

PLANT, KEMYA
BASIC TRAINING MATERIAL – MECHANICAL
BOLTS AND NUTS

BOLTS AND NUTS

Threaded fasteners are the basic couplers holding the parts together. There are many different
kinds, but they all fall into 3 basic types.

Bolts: Bolts go through holes in parts that are to be attached together and require a nut that is
turned onto the other end. Bolt is made up of rounded section on which threads are formed
externally and will have a head at one end for the purpose of tightening/holding.

Studs: Studs are similar to bolts except they are threaded at both ends. They have no heads.
Studs are placed in holes and one nut is turned onto each end of the stud to hold the parts
together.

Screws: Screws are turned onto drilled or threaded holes in metal or other materials.

Nut is a hexagonal/ square cross section having internal threads to tighten on the bolt. The head
face will come in contact with the member while tightening on bolt.
The bolts and nuts are used together to hold the members together.

Screw threads: Two types of series are generally used.

a. Unified inch series: Unified thread standards are based on nominal size (major diameter)
and the number of threads per inch. The three standards coarse (UNC), fine (UNF), and
extra fine (UNEF) and are called the standard series. A constant-pitch unified series
consisting of 4,6,8,12,16,20,28 and 32 threads per inch. 8UN, 12UN, and 16UN are the
preferred pitches.
b. Metric series: Two profiles have been standardized in the metric series and these are called
M and MJ profiles. The metric series consists of a coarse thread and often several fine
threads.
 AL-JUBAIL PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY, L.L.D.P.E.PLANT, KEMYA
BASIC TRAINING MATERIAL – MECHANICAL
BOLTS AND NUTS

The figure shows that both the unified profile UN and metric M threads utilize the same profile.

The metric MJ profile has a rounded fillet at the root of the external thread and a larger minor
diameter of both the internal and external threads. This profile is used for applications requiring
high fatigue strength.
The unified profile designated as UNR has a rounded root on the external thread.
Typical specifications for unified series would be written as
¼ - 20 UNC or ¼ - 20 UNRC
both these designations specify a nominal size of ¼ inch and 20 threads per inch.
The metric series are specified by giving the size or major diameter and the pitch. Typical
specification would be written
M 70 X 1.5 or MJ 70 X 1.5 which specifies a major diameter of 70 mm and a pitch of
1.5mm.
Unified threads may be further designated as UN A for external threads and UN B for internal
threads. The tolerance classes are 1A, 2A, and 3A for external threads and 1B, 2B, and 3B for
internal threads. Class 2 is for general use; Class 3 is a tight fit used where great accuracy is
required; and class 1 is a loose fit, which permits very easy assembly as well as the possibility
of nicks on the threads.
 AL-JUBAIL PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY, L.L.D.P.E.PLANT, KEMYA
BASIC TRAINING MATERIAL – MECHANICAL
BOLTS AND NUTS

Choosing the thread pitch: Three types of thread pitches are in use. These are
a. Coarse threads
b. Fine threads
c. Extra fine threads

Coarse threads: The unified coarse thread series (UNC or UNRC) and the metric coarse
thread series (M or MJ) provide the most resistance to internal thread stripping. Coarse threads
are used for material such as brass, cast iron, aluminum and other lower-strength materials. The
coarse-thread series are also widely used with other materials because mass-produced fasteners
are usually made with coarse threads and hence are the most economical. The coarse thread
series are also used whenever fast assembly is needed or when dropping of handling the
fasteners may damage the threads with nicks or dents.

Fine thread: The unified fine thread series (UNF or UNRF) and metric fine-thread series (M
and MJ) are used where a high fastener strength is required and where vibration may be a
problem. The shallow depth of thread, and hence large minor diameter increases the strength of
the external member and also permits a smaller wall thickness for the internal member.

Extra fine threads: Extra fine series screw threads are useful for thin nuts, on thin-wall tubing,
and where parts may require a very fine adjustment.

Pipe threads: The profile of pipe threads is similar to the UN profile except there is a taper of
1 on 16 based on the outside diameter. The last few threads will be imperfect because of the
taper and the chamfer on the thread-cutting die.
 AL-JUBAIL PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY, L.L.D.P.E.PLANT, KEMYA
BASIC TRAINING MATERIAL – MECHANICAL
BOLTS AND NUTS

Bolt head types:

1. Square head
2. Hexagon head
a. Regular hex.
b. Heavy hex.
 AL-JUBAIL PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY, L.L.D.P.E.PLANT, KEMYA
BASIC TRAINING MATERIAL – MECHANICAL
BOLTS AND NUTS

3. Round head
a. Plain
b. Regular square-neck
c. Short square neck
d. Rib neck
e. Fin neck.
 AL-JUBAIL PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY, L.L.D.P.E.PLANT, KEMYA
BASIC TRAINING MATERIAL – MECHANICAL
BOLTS AND NUTS

Screws Types:
a. Hexagon head:
b. Sockets: figure illustrates the standard hex and spline socket.

Socket screws are driven with a socket key or with a length of hex or spline stock called a bit.
The bit is used for driving by inserting it into a standard socket wrench or power driver.
 AL-JUBAIL PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY, L.L.D.P.E.PLANT, KEMYA
BASIC TRAINING MATERIAL – MECHANICAL
BOLTS AND NUTS

c. Socket head cap screws:

i. Cap screw.
ii. Flat countersunk-head cap screw.
iii. Socket button-head cap screws

d. Shoulder screws
 AL-JUBAIL PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY, L.L.D.P.E.PLANT, KEMYA
BASIC TRAINING MATERIAL – MECHANICAL
BOLTS AND NUTS

e. Set screws:

Socket set screws are available in both inch and metric sizes with either hex or spline sockets
for the inch series and hex sockets for the metric series.
 AL-JUBAIL PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY, L.L.D.P.E.PLANT, KEMYA
BASIC TRAINING MATERIAL – MECHANICAL
BOLTS AND NUTS

f. Slotted head cap screws:

i. Round head slotted cap screw.
ii. Flat countersunk head slotted cap screw.
iii. Fillister head slotted cap screw.

g. Machine screws
1. Flat countersunk head (80 degree or 100 degree)
a. Regular or undercut
b. Slotted or cross-recessed
2. Oval countersunk head
a. Regular or undercut
b. Slotted or cross-recessed
3. Flat countersunk trim head
a. Regular or short
b. Cross-recessed
 AL-JUBAIL PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY, L.L.D.P.E.PLANT, KEMYA
BASIC TRAINING MATERIAL – MECHANICAL
BOLTS AND NUTS

4. Oval countersunk trim head

a. Regular or short
b. Cross recessed
5. Pan head
a. Slotted or cross-recessed
6. Fillister head
a. Slotted and cross-drilled
b. Slotted or cross-recessed
7. Truss head
a. Slotted or cross-recessed
8. Binding head
a. Slotted or cross-recessed
9. Hexagon
a. Indented
b. Slotted
c. Indented and slotted
10. Hex washer head
a. Indented
b. Indented and slotted.

Nuts:
1. Flat nuts: Have only chamfered top.
a. Square
b. Hexagon
c. Hexagon jam: A jam nut is thin hexagon nut
 AL-JUBAIL PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY, L.L.D.P.E.PLANT, KEMYA
BASIC TRAINING MATERIAL – MECHANICAL
BOLTS AND NUTS

2. Nuts with washer-faced or chamfered bottoms: Have chamfered tops and bottoms or
washer-faced
a. Hexagon
b. Hexagon jam
c. Hexagon slotted
d. Hexagon castle.

Locking fasteners: Locking fasteners are used to prevent loosening of a threaded fastener in
service. These are available in a wide variety in design, performance, and function.
a. Seating lock type: seating lock type locks only when firmly seated and is therefore free
running on the bolt.

b. Spring stop nut type: It locks by a spring action clamping down upon the bolt.

c. Prevailing torque type: It locks by elastic or plastic flow of a potion of the fastener material.
 AL-JUBAIL PETROCHEMICAL COMPANY, L.L.D.P.E.PLANT, KEMYA
BASIC TRAINING MATERIAL – MECHANICAL
BOLTS AND NUTS

d. Wedge type: These locks by relative wedging of either elements or nut and bolt.