Types of Threads

Threads and Its Types

Thread plays a very important role in the engineering line for manufacturing various items of daily use.
In this engineering and scientific age, machines are used every moment at every stage. Without threads,
most of the machines cannot be used.

Read also: Screw Thread Terminology

Definition of Threads

Spiral grooves of equal measurement or shapes made on a round cylindrical article or pipe are known as
threads. In other words, spiral grooves of equal pitch and equal depth made on the parallel round
cylindrical surface or conical round surface are called threads.

For example, if we take a round stick and wind a piece of wire in angular indication, the wires twist
would move ahead on the round stick. The path on which the wire moves ahead is called Helix. Like this
helix, the thread is inclined in an angle on a round surface. Threads may be internal or external.

As already mentioned above, the shape or size of threads depends upon their utility. Thread cutting
tools are also made accordingly. According to their shapes.

Types of Threads

Following are the 13 different types of threads:

1. Right-hand threads
2. Left-hand threads
3. taper threads
4. "V" shape threads
5. Metric or International Threads
6. British Standard Threads
7. Seller Threads
8. Square Threads
9. Acme Threads
10. buttress Threads
11. Knuckle Threads
12. Worm Threads
13. Single and Multi-Threads

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Right Hand Threads

These threads are inclined towards the right-hand side. These are tightened in a clockwise movement.
These are known as right-hand threads.

Left Hand Threads

These threads are inclined towards the left hand. These are tightened in anticlockwise movement. For
example, on a screw with left-hand threads, threads are so cut that the bolt, screw, or nut has to be
turned in a counter-clockwise motion to engage or tighten it. Their use is comparatively less.

Taper Threads

Threads cut on around but taper surface is called taper threads. These are sued for shafts like buffing
spindles. These threads can be right hand or left hand.

The above threads are used for the following purpose:

1. To join two parts of a machine like nut-bolt and stud.

2. To get mechanical livers for lifting weights, such as chain pulleys, jacks etc.
3. For accuracy in precision instruments like micrometres.
4. In jobs of power transfer.
5. To control or reduce speed.

Read also: 9 Different Types of Gauge Types with Working

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"V" Shape Threads

This type of threads is in the shape of the English alphabet "V". It is most widely used. This types of
threads can be cut or made by tap, die, lathe machine and milling etc. These threads are made of
different standards. The following types are mostly used.

Metric or International Threads

This types of the thread were originally adopted in 1898 to 1908 in central France. With the passage of
time, other international countries also started using it. The Indian standards institute has also adopted
this thread.

These threads are made on jobs of 0°25 mm to 300 mm in diameter. Its angle is at 60°. Its screw is flat
and the root is round. According to I.S. 1330-1958, these are written prior to the letter M and figure
written after "M" indicates pitch such as -M20 X 2.5. It means the number of threads is 20 per inch and
its pitch is 2.5 mm.

Thread Angle = 60°

Crest and root = 0. 125 X pitch

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Pitch =1/T.P.I. ( in mm)

British Standard Whitworth Threads

This type of threads is originated from great Britain. sir joseph Whitworth, a citizen of Great Britain
invented this thread in 1841. This thread was to provide the facility of interchangeability. It is used in
ordinary nut-bolts and other jobs. Its angle is 55°. Its crest, as well as root, are in round shape. It's known
as B.S.W. Thread.

 Thread angle= 55 °
 Pitch = 1/T.P.I
 Depth = Pitch X 0.6403
 Radius = Pitch X 0.1373
 Core dia = D- (1.28 X Pitch)
 (D= outer dia of bolt)

British Standard Fine Thread

In shape, this thread is similar to B.S.W. thread. The angle of this thread is also 55° but the number of
thread per inch is more i.e the thickness of threads is less. This makes the grip more strong. Nut bolts
having this thread are used where is more vibration.

Read More: Forging: Types, Methods, Operations, Advantages & More

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British Association Threads

This type of thread is of every think make-up. It is used in small and tiny electrical and mechanical
instruments like radio, television, electrical goods, meters and watches. The angle of these threads is 47
1/2°. These can be used for 1/2" or 6 mm nut bolts.

These are recoghinsed through numbers, which range between 0 to 12. number 0 = 0. 236" or 6 mm.
Number 12 = 0.0511" or 1.3 mm.

 Thread Angle = 47 1/2"

 Depth of thread = 0.6 X Pitch
 Pitch = 1/T.P.I
 D = 1.36 X Pitch

Read also: 22 Different Types of Lathe Machine Operations

British Standard Pipe Threads

Its angle is at 55° which cut at 3/4 taper per foot. It is used in sanitary pipe fittings, steam pipes, gas
pipelines. Because of taper, it does not leak.

Seller Threads

These threads are known by the name of American national thread. IT has been recognised by the
American standards institute. It is a "V" shape thread. Its angle is at 60°. ITs roots and crest are flat. The
same standard Insititute has invented national fine thread, This thread is thin. IT is used in motor
vehicles and aeroplanes etc.

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 Thread Angle = 60°

 Depth of thread = 0.649519 X Pitch
 Dia = 0.866025 X Pitch
 Crest = D/ 8
 Root = 0.125 X Pitch

Square Threads

This thread has a very powerful root. ITs make up is square. These threads are used for lifting heavy
loads, transfer of power, to exert pressure, screw jack, lead screw of machines, press machines and vice
spindle instruments. Their specific measurement and number per inch are not fixed.

 Thread Angle = 90°

 Depth of Thread = 0.5 X Pitch
 Crest and Root = 0.5 X 5

Acme Threads

These threads are more or less like square threads but their shape is in taper i.e. flat from bottom and
thin from the top. It is comparatively easier to cut it on a job than the square threads. IT is also
considered stronger. AS these threads have slanting ends, it is easier to fix or unscrew the split nut on it.
There is no backlash in it. This thread is made at 29° angle.

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 Thread Angle = 29°

 Depth of Thread = 0.5 X Pitch + .01"
 Crest = 0.3707 X Pitch
 Root = 0.33707 X Pitch - 0.0052"

Read also: The Complete List of Milling Machine Operations

Buttress Threads

It is a screw thread which is triangular in section but which has one face at right angles to the axis of the
screw, the second face only being sloped. IT has more pulling power than square thread. This is why it is
used in cases where the excessive pull is on one side and it must be absorbed as in a ratchet.

 Root and crest = 0.125 X Pitch

 Thread Angle = 45°
 Depth = 0.75 X Pitch

Knuckle Threads

This thread is also very strong. It is used in heavy and light jobs of rough nature. This is half round at
both root and crest. It can be cast in a mold.

 Depth of Thread= 0.5 X Pitch

 Root and crest Radius = 0.25 X Pitch
 These threads are specially used for coupling of rali-coaches.

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Worm Threads

Their shape is almost similar to Acme Threads but these are deeper than Acme threads. Their angle is
also at 29 °. This thread is used in worm wheel of motor vehicles for the transfer of power at 90°. As
three teeth of worm wheel fit into the shaft with worm threads, they fit well.

 Thread Angle = 29°

 Depth of Thread = 0.6866 X Pitch
 Root = 0.32 X Pitch
 Crest = 0.335 X Pitch.

Single and Multi-Threads

In a piece of work, it is possible to have some separate and independent threads running along with it.
Thus, there are a single-threaded screw and multiple or multi-start threaded screw. The independent
threads are called starts, and we may have single-start, two-start, three-start, etc.

For one complete turn round the screw or bolt then there is a movement of one thread the screw is
called a single-threaded screw. And when there is a movement of more than one thread, the screw is
called multiple or multi-start threaded screws.

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In the case of a three-start thread, for one complete turn, the thread advances three times as far if it
were a single thread. Multi-start threads are used in those cases where fast movement or motion is
needed Fountain where they are widely used.

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