Common materials for Set Screw With Ball Tip

Set Screw With Ball Tip is a fastener used to fix or adjust the position of machine parts. Its special design makes the end of the screw have a small ball shape, which can form a local point contact when it contacts the fixed object, thereby improving the stability of the fastening and reducing damage to the surface. Set screws with ball heads are widely used in machinery, automobiles, electronic equipment and other fields, especially in applications that require precise adjustment and locking of positions. Common material selection has a direct impact on its performance, durability and application environment.

1. Carbon steel

Carbon steel is one of the most common materials for set screws with ball tips and is widely used in various conventional fastening tasks. Carbon steel has good mechanical properties and cost-effectiveness, and is suitable for applications that do not require extremely high corrosion resistance or special environments. Common carbon steel materials are:

Low carbon steel (such as AISI 1018): It has good machinability and toughness, and is suitable for applications under low loads and normal temperature environments.

Medium carbon steel (such as AISI 1045): Provides higher strength and hardness, suitable for applications with high forces.

However, carbon steel is prone to rust, so additional coatings or anti-corrosion treatments (such as galvanizing) are required to improve corrosion resistance.

2. Stainless steel

Stainless steel is another common material for ball-end set screws, especially for environments that require higher corrosion resistance and high temperature resistance. Stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance, oxidation resistance and good strength. Common types of stainless steel include:

304 stainless steel: Has good corrosion resistance and is suitable for most conventional environments. 304 stainless steel can withstand common corrosive substances such as atmosphere, food, chemicals, etc.

316 stainless steel: More corrosion resistant, especially in humid, marine or chemical environments. 316 stainless steel contains molybdenum, which enhances its resistance to chloride corrosion and is suitable for more demanding conditions.

Stainless steel set screws are suitable for food processing, chemical industry and marine applications.

3. Alloy steel

Alloy steel is a steel that has been added with other elements (such as molybdenum, chromium, nickel, etc.) to improve the strength, hardness, wear resistance and corrosion resistance of the steel. Alloy steel is widely used for high-strength and high-load fastening tasks, especially in high-temperature and high-pressure environments. Common types of alloy steel include:

4140 alloy steel: has good hardness, strength and toughness, suitable for high-strength applications, especially in the automotive, aviation and military industries.

8620 alloy steel: has excellent wear resistance and fatigue resistance, suitable for applications with high-intensity workloads.

Alloy steel ball head set screws are suitable for applications under high stress, complex or special environmental conditions.

4. Copper alloys

Copper alloys, such as bronze and brass, are often used in fastening applications that require good electrical conductivity or corrosion resistance. Copper alloys not only have good corrosion resistance, but also have excellent electrical conductivity, which is suitable for the electronics industry and electrical equipment. Copper alloy materials are generally softer, so they are suitable for occasions with lower loads and the need to reduce wear.

Brass: has excellent corrosion resistance and is particularly suitable for wet or marine environments.

Bronze: is generally stronger than brass and is suitable for applications with high wear resistance requirements.

Copper alloy set screws with ball heads are suitable for electronic equipment, contact electrical components, and environments that require corrosion resistance.

5. Aluminum alloys

Aluminum alloys are suitable for many industrial applications due to their light weight, high strength, and excellent corrosion resistance, especially when weight reduction is required. Aluminum alloys have good machinability and corrosion resistance, so aluminum alloy set screws with ball heads are widely used in some fields with strict weight requirements, such as aviation, automotive, and electronics industries.

6061 aluminum alloy: has high strength and corrosion resistance, suitable for structural components and mechanical connections.

7075 aluminum alloy: has very high strength and is often used in high-load environments, especially in the aerospace industry.

Aluminum alloy set screws with ball heads are suitable for lightweight structures and applications that require high strength.

6. Plastics and engineering plastics

Plastics and engineering plastics can also be used to manufacture ball-head set screws in some applications that are sensitive to weight and electromagnetic interference. Plastic set screws are suitable for low loads, low temperatures, and environments that do not require high mechanical strength.

Nylon: has good chemical stability, insulation and corrosion resistance, suitable for low loads, electronic equipment and other fields.

Polycarbonate (PC): has good impact resistance and high temperature resistance, suitable for high impact environments.

Plastic ball-head set screws are often used in electronic equipment, home appliances, light machinery and other fields.

The material selection of ball-head set screws directly affects their performance and application range. Depending on the required strength, corrosion resistance, high temperature resistance and other requirements, ball-head set screws made of different materials such as carbon steel, stainless steel, alloy steel, copper alloy, aluminum alloy and plastic can provide adaptable and reliable solutions. The correct choice of materials can ensure the reliability and long life of ball-head set screws in specific applications.