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Nuts · ASME B18.2.2 · Application guide

What Are Machine Screw Nuts, UNC (Hex and Square) Used For?

Typical applications, the industries that specify machine screw nuts, unc (hex and square), and how to choose the right size, material and finish for the joint.

Machine Screw Nuts, UNC (Hex and Square) are used for small inch hex and square nuts for numbered machine screw sizes, UNC thread. They are manufactured to ASME B18.2.2, and the choice of size, property class and finish is driven by the load in the joint and the environment it sits in.

Primary duty
Small inch hex and square nuts for numbered machine screw sizes, UNC thread
Governing standard
ASME B18.2.2
Screw size range
1/4" to #12
Category
Nuts

Application notes are general engineering guidance. Verify the property class and any approval requirement against your own design calculation.

What Are Machine Screw Nuts, UNC (Hex and Square) Used For? application image

Machine Screw Nuts, UNC (Hex and Square) are selected when an assembly calls for small inch hex and square nuts for numbered machine screw sizes, UNC thread. This application guide to the ASME B18.2.2 type covers concrete end-uses, the specification checklist, correct installation, and where an alternative fastener performs better. Stocked across roughly 1 to 12, they cover general to heavy-duty work.

Typical Applications for Machine Screw Nuts, UNC (Hex and Square)

The most common settings where these are specified:

  • Electronics: small inch screws.
  • Electrical: terminals.
  • Hobby: models.
  • Instrumentation: panels.

How to Specify Machine Screw Nuts, UNC (Hex and Square) for Your Application

  • Size: Match the nominal size to the mating thread or hole. This product spans 1–12; check the full table below for the exact dimensions of each size.
  • Locking & grade: Match the strength grade to the bolt, and choose a locking style (nyloc, all-metal, serrated flange) if the joint sees vibration.
  • Environment: For damp, coastal or chemical exposure prefer A4/316 stainless or a suitable coating; indoors, plated steel or A2 is usually sufficient.
  • Standard: This product is supplied to ASME B18.2.2. Quoting the standard on your order guarantees interchangeable dimensions between suppliers.

Installation & Assembly Practice

  • Run the nut down by hand before applying the wrench to catch cross-threading early.
  • Tighten the nut rather than the bolt head where access allows — the torque-to-preload relation is more consistent.
  • For locking styles, note that nyloc inserts are single-use in critical joints and lose grip above roughly 120 °C.

Common Selection Mistakes with Machine Screw Nuts, UNC (Hex and Square)

  • Pairing a high-class bolt with a lower-class nut — the nut strips before the bolt reaches proof load; the nut class must meet or exceed the bolt class.
  • Using a plain nut with a spring washer in severe vibration instead of a prevailing-torque locking nut.
  • Re-using nyloc nuts in critical joints.

Where Machine Screw Nuts, UNC (Hex and Square) Are Not the Right Choice

Not on their own — they need a matching bolt or stud — and a plain nut is not a substitute for a locking type under heavy vibration.

Custom manufacturing · Made to drawing

Need a machine screw nuts, UNC (hex and square) outside the standard range?

Locking method is specifiable independently of the rest: nylon insert, all-metal deformed thread, serrated flange, or none. Made by cold heading or tapping.

Minimum order from 2,000 pieces; samples within 7 days of drawing approval.

Custom nut manufacturingSend a drawing

Technical Drawing

Customize the parameters below — every spec field is editable, and the drawing redraws to match the values you choose. Changing the size will snap the other fields to that size's standard values; you can then override any individual value.

Dimensioned line drawing of #0 Machine Screw Nuts, UNC (Hex and Square) to ASME B18.2.2. Side view and top view, drawn to the dimensions in the table below and redrawn for any size selected.
Type
Hex Machine screw nuts
Pitch P (mm)
0.318
da (mm)
1.714
Width across corners e (mm)
4.458
Nut height m (mm)
1.181
Width across flats s (mm)
3.886
Sends the selected values to the quote form below.

Request a Quote

The form below follows the current technical drawing configuration. Change the drawing values above and the request details update automatically.

Request a Quotation

Specification
Business Information

Dimensions & Specifications (ASME B18.2.2)

SizeTypePitch P (mm)da (mm)Width across corners e (mm)Nut height m (mm)Width across flats s (mm)Reference standard
#0Hex Machine screw nuts0.3181.7144.4581.1813.886ASME B18.2.2
#0Square machine screw nuts0.3181.7144.4581.1813.886ASME B18.2.2
#1Hex Machine screw nuts0.3972.0864.4581.1813.886ASME B18.2.2
#1Square machine screw nuts0.3972.0864.4581.1813.886ASME B18.2.2
#2Hex Machine screw nuts0.4542.4575.3591.5624.674ASME B18.2.2
#2Square machine screw nuts0.4542.4575.3591.5624.674ASME B18.2.2
#3Hex Machine screw nuts0.5292.8295.3591.5624.674ASME B18.2.2
#3Square machine screw nuts0.5292.8295.3591.5624.674ASME B18.2.2
#4Hex Machine screw nuts0.6353.27.1632.3496.236ASME B18.2.2
#4Square machine screw nuts0.6353.27.1632.3496.236ASME B18.2.2
#5Hex Machine screw nuts0.6353.5728.9542.7437.798ASME B18.2.2
#5Square machine screw nuts0.6353.5728.9542.7437.798ASME B18.2.2
#6Hex Machine screw nuts0.7943.9438.9542.7437.798ASME B18.2.2
#6Square machine screw nuts0.7943.9438.9542.7437.798ASME B18.2.2
#8Hex Machine screw nuts0.7944.6869.8423.1378.585ASME B18.2.2
#8Square machine screw nuts0.7944.6869.8423.1378.585ASME B18.2.2
#10Hex Machine screw nuts1.0585.42910.7443.1379.36ASME B18.2.2
#10Square machine screw nuts1.0585.42910.7443.1379.36ASME B18.2.2
#12Hex Machine screw nuts1.0586.17212.5353.92410.935ASME B18.2.2
#12Square machine screw nuts1.0586.17212.5353.92410.935ASME B18.2.2
1/4"Hex Machine screw nuts1.277.14412.5354.71210.935ASME B18.2.2
1/4"Square machine screw nuts1.277.14412.5354.71210.935ASME B18.2.2
5/16"Hex Machine screw nuts1.4118.91516.1425.49914.059ASME B18.2.2
5/16"Square machine screw nuts1.4118.91516.1425.49914.059ASME B18.2.2
3/8"Hex Machine screw nuts1.58710.71617.9586.29915.646ASME B18.2.2
3/8"Square machine screw nuts1.58710.71617.9586.29915.646ASME B18.2.2
Inside the plant

Manufactured in our own plant

This part is cold-formed, threaded, heat-treated and finished in-house. The stages below are where its class and finish are actually decided.

  1. Wire rod feeding into a cold heading machine
    01

    Cold heading

    Wire rod is drawn to size and cold-formed into blanks. Forming rather than cutting keeps the grain flow continuous around the head, which is where a bolt is most likely to fail.

    Head dimensions and under-head radius checked at set-up and per shift.

  2. Thread rolling machine producing bolt threads
    02

    Thread rolling

    Threads are rolled between hardened dies rather than cut. Rolled threads are stronger in fatigue than cut threads and hold pitch and flank angle far more consistently across a batch.

    Go / no-go ring gauges to ISO 965 tolerance class 6g.

  3. Baskets of bolts staged for heat treatment
    03

    Heat treatment

    Quench-and-temper brings carbon and alloy steel to the property class ordered — 8.8, 10.9 or 12.9 — with the furnace charge tracked so a finished lot can be traced back to it.

    Core hardness and tensile tested per lot to ISO 898-1.

  4. Zinc plated bolts in a treatment basket
    04

    Surface treatment

    Zinc, zinc-nickel, hot-dip galvanizing, black oxide, phosphate and Dacromet, selected against the service environment rather than against the price list.

    Coating thickness and neutral salt spray hours to ISO 9227.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Machine Screw Nuts, UNC (Hex and Square) used for?

Small inch hex and square nuts for numbered machine screw sizes, UNC thread. They are supplied to ASME B18.2.2.

Which industries use Machine Screw Nuts, UNC (Hex and Square)?

They are commonly specified in electronics, electrical and hobby, among other sectors.

How do I choose the right size of Machine Screw Nuts, UNC (Hex and Square)?

Match the nominal size to the mating thread or hole. This product is available from 1 to 12; the full dimension table on this page lists each size.

Do Machine Screw Nuts, UNC (Hex and Square) need a locking feature?

If the joint sees vibration or cyclic load, use a locking style (nyloc, all-metal lock, or serrated flange) or a thread-locking adhesive. For static joints a standard nut tightened correctly is usually sufficient.

Can I get a quote for Machine Screw Nuts, UNC (Hex and Square) in the size and material I need?

Yes. Use the technical drawing and quote form on this page to set the size and options, then send the exact configuration to our team for pricing and lead time.