Stainless steel - Hexagon socket button head screw

Overview of Stainless Button Head Screws

The stainless steel socket button head screw is a staple in modern design. Engineers select this fastener when they need the torque control of an internal hex drive but cannot accommodate the height of a standard cylindrical cap screw. The stainless steel composition ensures that the fastener remains bright and rust-free, maintaining the visual integrity of the product it secures, whether it be a piece of medical equipment or an outdoor lighting fixture.

Choosing Your Grade: A2 vs A4

We categorize our stainless products into two distinct grades to suit different environments: Grade 304 (A2) - The Standard Choice: A2 stainless steel is the most common grade for button head screws. It offers excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion and is suitable for most indoor and dry outdoor applications. It is widely used in furniture assembly, automotive styling, and general machinery covers. Grade 316 (A4) - The Marine Choice: For harsh environments, A4 stainless is required. Enhanced with molybdenum, this grade resists pitting from chlorides and industrial acids. If your project involves marine hardware, chemical processing, or coastal architecture, A4 button head screws are essential to prevent surface staining and corrosion.

Quality Assurance

We ensure consistent quality across our stainless range. An EN 10204 3.1 Material Certificate is available upon request to verify the chemical composition of the steel batch. Please note that third-party inspection services require an additional fee.

Common Applications

The combination of form and function makes these screws versatile:

• Medical Devices: Smooth heads are easy to sanitize and won't snag on gloves or clothing.
• Robotics & 3D Printing: Assembly of aluminum frames where a low-profile head avoids interference with moving parts.
• Public Furniture: Park benches and bus stops where the rounded head reduces the risk of vandalism compared to standard bolts.
• Automotive Styling: Engine bay dress-up kits where the screw head is visible and needs to look polished.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my stainless steel screws slightly magnetic?

This is a normal characteristic of cold-formed fasteners. While raw 304/316 stainless steel is non-magnetic, the manufacturing process (cold heading the socket and rolling the threads) changes the grain structure of the steel, inducing a small amount of magnetism. This does not mean the material is low quality or not stainless; it will still resist corrosion as expected.

Is the head height of a button screw standardized?

Yes, our screws are manufactured to ISO 7380 standards. This international standard dictates the head diameter, head height, and socket size for every thread diameter, ensuring that a replacement screw will fit exactly the same way as the original.

Do I need to be careful when tightening small sizes?

Yes, particularly for sizes M3 and smaller. Because the internal hex drive is quite small on these micro-fasteners, applying excessive force with a long-handled Allen key can damage the socket drive. It is recommended to use appropriate precision tools for these smaller diameters to ensure a secure fit without damaging the head.