A four-sided fastener with a square head that fits over a bolt. The bolt is turned in the hole to create a threaded connection and the nut is then tightened to pull it into place. Hex nuts are available in various sizes, materials and finishes. Some are designed to provide locking capability, while others are used for leveling and for situations where a low profile is required. The hex head of a nut is often chamfered, or beveled, for easier gripping and to prevent the nut from loosening during use. The chamfered surface of the nut also helps to align the bolt threads with the hex nut threads, making it easier for them to engage.
Hex nuts are rated by their strength and are usually labeled with a number to indicate the grade. The highest grade offers the greatest strength, while the lowest grades offer the least amount of strength. Steel hex nuts are the most common, but they are also made in stainless steel, brass and silicon bronze. They can be coated with paint, zinc plating or galvanizing for added corrosion resistance.
When it comes to choosing hex nuts, it is important to know the dimensions and tolerances of each one. A hex nut’s overall length, diameter, depth and width across flats should be specified. The threads of a hex nut are often produced using a process called thread rolling. This makes the threads smooth, well-formed and strong, and it also reduces the risk of cross-threading during assembly. A rolled thread is more durable than a cut thread, but it can be difficult to assemble if the threads are not properly matched.
If you are using a hex nut to replace a standard screw, make sure it has the same size diameter and depth of thread as the original hex screw. If you don’t, you could cause the screw to come off or damage the threads of the hex nut. A good way to avoid this problem is to measure the old hex screw with a pocket caliper. This will ensure that the new hex nut is the right size for the screw.
The chamfered end of a hex nut is angled 30 degrees. This is often referred to as the bearing side of the nut and is different from a full-bearing nut which has one unchamfered end, also known as the washer face. The angled end of the hex nut increases friction, which will prevent it from loosening in high vibration applications.
A hex nut with a crowned top is sometimes called a lock nut. This design is crimped to increase the friction between the nut and the bolt threads, which will resist loosening in high vibration applications. A lock nut is often used with a bearing lock washer, which features multiple angled tabs on the external diameter that can be folded into slots in the hex nut’s crowned end to keep it from rotating. A set screw may also be used to secure the nut in place.
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