---
title: "What Are Oval-Head Machine Screws Used For?"
description: "Oval-Head Machine Screws (ASME B18.6.3) are used for seating a raised oval countersunk head in a finished machine panel with a matched seat."
url: https://engineeringhardware.com/applications/oval-head-machine-screws/
source: Engineering Hardware & Fasteners
---

# What Are Oval-Head Machine Screws Used For?

Screws · ASME B18.6.3 · Application guide

Typical applications, the industries that specify oval-head machine screws, and how to choose the right size, material and finish for the joint.

Oval-Head Machine Screws are used for seating a raised oval countersunk head in a finished machine panel with a matched seat. They are manufactured to ASME B18.6.3, 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:** Seating a raised oval countersunk head in a finished machine panel with a matched seat
- **Governing standard:** ASME B18.6.3
- **Nominal diameter range:** #8-32 to #8-32
- **Category:** Screws

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

![What Are Oval-Head Machine Screws Used For? application image](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Oval-Head-Machine-Screws.webp)

Application guide for Oval-Head Machine Screws to ASME B18.6.3. The core duty of the type is seating a raised oval countersunk head in a finished machine panel with a matched seat. The typical industries, the how-to-specify checklist, assembly practice and the exclusion cases are set out below. Stocked across roughly 8 mm to 8 mm, they cover general to heavy-duty work.

## Typical Applications for Oval-Head Machine Screws

The most common settings where these are specified:

- **Visible equipment:** Oval heads provide a finished raised profile on covers and trim.
- **Instrument panels:** Phillips drive supports routine assembly in a low-profile raised seat.
- **Appliance housings:** Stainless and steel options match the enclosure material.
- **Light fabrication:** ASME B18.6.3 sizes fit inch machine-screw joints.

Product catalog

## Related Oval-Head Machine Screws products

[![China Factory Made ISO 7045 Cross Recessed Pan Head Steel Screw](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/China-Factory-Made-ISO-7045-Cross-Recessed-Pan-Head-Steel-Screw.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/china-factory-made-iso-7045-cross-recessed-pan-head-steel-screw/)

Countersunk & Flat-Head Machine Screws

### [China Factory Made ISO 7045 Cross Recessed Pan Head Steel Screw](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/china-factory-made-iso-7045-cross-recessed-pan-head-steel-screw/)

Countersunk Head · DIN, GB, ANSI, BSW, JIS, GOST, ISO,ASTM

**US$0.12 – 0.24**MOQ 100,000 pieces

[![Baiji Countersunk Head Blind Rivets China Wholesalers Sample Available Structural Aluminum Rivets for Chassis Truck Rivet](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Baiji-Countersunk-Head-Blind-Rivets-China-Wholesalers-Sample-Available-Structural-Aluminum-Rivets-for-Chassis-Truck-Rivet.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/baiji-countersunk-head-blind-rivets-china-wholesalers-sample-available-structural/)

Countersunk & Flat-Head Machine Screws

### [Baiji Countersunk Head Blind Rivets China Wholesalers Sample Available Structural Aluminum Rivets for Chassis Truck Rivet](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/baiji-countersunk-head-blind-rivets-china-wholesalers-sample-available-structural/)

Metal · Standard or Customized

**US$0.60 – 1.20**MOQ 1 piece

[![Factory Wholesale Long Yellow Zinc Countersunk Wafer Torx Building Timber Wood Construction Screws](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Factory-Wholesale-Long-Yellow-Zinc-Countersunk-Wafer-Torx-Building-Timber-Wood-Construction-Screws.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/factory-wholesale-long-yellow-zinc-countersunk-wafer-torx-building-timber-wood/)

Countersunk & Flat-Head Machine Screws

### [Factory Wholesale Long Yellow Zinc Countersunk Wafer Torx Building Timber Wood Construction Screws](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/factory-wholesale-long-yellow-zinc-countersunk-wafer-torx-building-timber-wood/)

Compound Slot · DIN

**US$0.012 – 0.036**MOQ 5,000 pieces

[![Anti-Vibration Screws Vibration-Resistant Screws for Mounting Components Within Appliances](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Anti-Vibration-Screws-Vibration-Resistant-Screws-for-Mounting-Components-Within-Appliances.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/anti-vibration-screws-vibration-resistant-screws-for-mounting-components-within/)

Countersunk & Flat-Head Machine Screws

### [Anti-Vibration Screws Vibration-Resistant Screws for Mounting Components Within Appliances](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/anti-vibration-screws-vibration-resistant-screws-for-mounting-components-within/)

Countersunk Head · DIN, GB, ANSI, JIS

**US$0.072 – 0.096**MOQ 5,000 pieces

[![M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 SS304 Conical Solid Countersunk Head Washer Flat Gasket Concave and Convex Tapered Conical Washers](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/M3-M4-M5-M6-M8-M10-SS304-Conical-Solid-Countersunk-Head-Washer-Flat-Gasket-Concave-and-Convex-Tapered-Conical-Washers.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/m3-m4-m5-m6-m8-m10-ss304-conical-solid-countersunk-head-washer-flat-gasket-concave/)

Countersunk & Flat-Head Machine Screws

### [M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 M10 SS304 Conical Solid Countersunk Head Washer Flat Gasket Concave and Convex Tapered Conical Washers](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/m3-m4-m5-m6-m8-m10-ss304-conical-solid-countersunk-head-washer-flat-gasket-concave/)

Stainless Steel · ISO, ROHS, SGS

**US$0.0012**MOQ 100,000 pieces

[![Open All Stainless Steel Flat Head Aluminum Blind Rivet Countersunk Head Pull Rivet](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Open-All-Stainless-Steel-Flat-Head-Aluminum-Blind-Rivet-Countersunk-Head-Pull-Rivet.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/open-all-stainless-steel-flat-head-aluminum-blind-rivet-countersunk-head-pull-rivet/)

Countersunk & Flat-Head Machine Screws

### [Open All Stainless Steel Flat Head Aluminum Blind Rivet Countersunk Head Pull Rivet](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/open-all-stainless-steel-flat-head-aluminum-blind-rivet-countersunk-head-pull-rivet/)

DIN7337 · Aluminum

**US$0.036 – 0.06**MOQ 1,000 pieces

[View all Countersunk & Flat-Head Machine Screws →](https://engineeringhardware.com/fastener-products/screws/countersunk-flat-head-machine-screws/) [Full product catalog](https://engineeringhardware.com/products/)

## How to Specify Oval-Head Machine Screws for Your Application

- **Size:** Match the nominal size to the mating thread or hole. This product spans 8 mm–8 mm; check the full table below for the exact dimensions of each size.
- **Drive & head:** Pick the drive (socket, cross, slot) and head style for the tool access and seating surface; a recessed drive resists cam-out under power tools.
- **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 B18.6.3. Quoting the standard on your order guarantees interchangeable dimensions between suppliers.

## Installation & Assembly Practice

- Match the driver exactly to the recess (PH ≠ PZ; hex key sizes per ISO 2936) and keep the tool axial — side load is the main cause of stripped drives.
- In tapped holes, engage a thread length of at least 1× the nominal diameter in steel, 2× in aluminum.
- Set power tools to a torque that seats the head without embedding it into the mating surface.

## Common Selection Mistakes with Oval-Head Machine Screws

- Under-sizing the drive for the installation torque — a small recess at high torque strips before the screw is seated.
- Using a countersunk head in thin sheet where the countersink removes most of the load-bearing material.
- Specifying stainless in high-strength duty: A2-70 is roughly class 7 steel, not a 10.9 substitute.

## Where Oval-Head Machine Screws Are Not the Right Choice

Not for high-preload structural joints (use a property-class bolt and nut), and not in thin sheet where a self-drilling or self-tapping type suits better.

Custom manufacturing · Made to drawing

## Need a oval-head machine screws outside the standard range?

Where the standard stops, the drawing takes over: fine pitches, left-hand threads, partial threading, and property classes above the catalogued grade where material and heat treatment allow. Made by cold heading or warm forging.

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

[Custom screw manufacturing](https://engineeringhardware.com/custom/screws/)[Send a drawing](https://engineeringhardware.com/custom/screws/#rfq)

## Technical Drawing

Dimensioned line drawing of #8-32 Oval-Head Machine Screws to ASME B18.6.3. Side view and top view, drawn to the dimensions in the table below and redrawn for any size selected.

- **Length (in):** 2
- **Drive:** Phillips
- **Head form:** oval raised countersunk
- **Material options:** 18-8 stainless steel / steel

## Dimensions & Specifications (ASME B18.6.3)

| Size example | Length (in) | Drive | Head form | Material options | Reference standard |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| #8-32 | 2 | Phillips | oval raised countersunk | 18-8 stainless steel / steel | ASME B18.6.3 |
| inch machine-screw sizes |  | Phillips | oval raised countersunk | 18-8 stainless steel / steel | ASME B18.6.3 |

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](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/09-wire-rod-feed-cold-heading-machine.webp) 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](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/03-thread-rolling-machine-bolt-production.webp) 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](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/05-heat-treatment-baskets-black-bolts.webp) 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](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/23-zinc-plated-bolts-treatment-basket.webp) 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

### How do I choose the right size of Oval-Head Machine Screws?

Match the nominal size to the mating thread or hole. This product is available from 8 mm to 8 mm; the full dimension table on this page lists each size.

### What drive type do Oval-Head Machine Screws use?

Drive depends on the head style — socket (hex key), cross (Phillips/Pozi) or slot. A recessed drive resists cam-out when driven with power tools; check the product head style on this page.

### What material should Oval-Head Machine Screws be for outdoor use?

For damp, coastal or chemical environments specify A4 (316) stainless or a suitably coated steel. For indoor or dry use, A2 (304) stainless or zinc-plated steel is normally adequate.

### Are Oval-Head Machine Screws made to a recognized standard?

Yes — they are manufactured to ASME B18.6.3, so dimensions are interchangeable between suppliers when you quote the standard on your order.

### Can I get a quote for Oval-Head Machine Screws 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.

## Related Pages

Product page: [Oval-Head Machine Screws — specifications & sizes](https://engineeringhardware.com/fastener/oval-head-machine-screws/)

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