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The 7 Structural Categories Most Buyers Mix Up.

by Tianyu Fasteners
Aug 4th,2026 8 Puntos de vista

Still Guessing Which Screw Type You Need? The 7 Structural Categories Most Buyers Mix Up

Picking the wrong screw type is the fastest way to waste a production run. Before you even get to diameter, length or coating, you need the right structural family. As a screw factory, here's the 7-category breakdown we give every new European buyer.

1. Slotted ordinary screws

For smaller parts. Head styles: pan, cylindrical, countersunk and half-countersunk (hex-flange head also available). Pan and cylindrical heads take higher torque for general parts; half-countersunk sits flush-ish with a smooth look for instruments; countersunk disappears fully below the surface.

2. Hex socket (Allen) screws

Countersunk into the part, take high torque and replace hex bolts where space is tight. The go-to for compact, clean-looking assemblies.

3. Cross-recessed (Phillips) ordinary screws

Same job as slotted, but the drive is stronger, less prone to cam-out, and looks cleaner. Needs a cross screwdriver.

4. Eye bolts (eye screws)

Load-bearing hardware for lifting and transport. Screw it down until the shoulder seats fully — never tighten with a tool, and never load it sideways.

5. Set screws

Hold two parts in fixed relative position by pressing the tip into the mating surface. Ends vary by job: cone/cone-cup for permanent holds; flat end for frequent adjustment without scarring the part; dog (cylindrical) point for heavier, repeatedly-adjusted loads (add a lock method); cup point for thicker walls.

6. Self-tapping screws

Cut their own thread into the mating part — no pre-tapped hole. Ideal for thin sheet metal. Taper-point and blunt-point versions.

7. Self-tapping locking screws

Self-tapping plus low drive torque and high resistance to loosening. Triangular thread profile, surface-hardened, typically M2–M12. Built for vibration-prone joints.

Why this matters to your order

The right family decides everything downstream — torque, strength, and whether your line stops halfway. We're a screw factory supplying European distributors and OEMs, and we accept custom orders: send us the type, drawing or sample and we'll match it, prototype, and quote. Every batch ships with an MTC on request.


Contact us now for samples: support1@tianyufasteners.com. Explore our offerings at www.tianyufasteners.com.


Procurement Q&A

Q: Can you supply all seven screw types, or only standard ones? A: We manufacture the full range — slotted, hex socket, cross-recessed, eye bolts, set screws, self-tapping and self-tapping locking — to both GB and DIN specs, and we'll help you pick the right family for the application.

Q: How do we choose between set screw end types for our assembly? A: It depends on whether the position is fixed or adjusted often, and how much load it carries. Tell us the duty cycle and we'll recommend cone, cup, flat or dog point.

Q: Can you produce custom screw types or non-standard drives? A: Yes. As a factory we accept custom orders — send a drawing, sample, or photo of the spec, and we'll produce and inspect to your requirement.

Q: What documents support a European shipment? A: Every batch includes a Material Test Certificate, with dimensional inspection and salt-spray reports available on request for your compliance file.