Selecting Heavy Hex Socket Head Cap Screw — GB/T 1228 / ASTM A325 (Series 046), M3, in GB/T 1228 / ASTM A325: the dimensional row from the standard plus the tools and hole sizes follow. Use them with the technical drawing below — the drawing redraws to the exact size you pick.
M3 Dimensional Row (GB/T 1228 / ASTM A325)
| Size | Pitch (mm) | Length L (mm) | Head diameter dk (mm) | Head height k (mm) | Hex socket s (mm) | Reference standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 | 0.5 | 20 | 5.5 | 3 | 2.5 | ISO 4762 / GB/T 70.1 |
Spanner & Drive for M3 Heavy Hex Socket Head Cap Screw — GB/T 1228 / ASTM A325 (Series 046)
The hex socket for M3 Heavy Hex Socket Head Cap Screw — GB/T 1228 / ASTM A325 (Series 046) is shown in the spec table — use the matching Allen / hex key (an ISO 2936 hex key set covers the full range). A T-handle Allen key gives the best feel for setting preload by feel; for production work use a torque-controlled driver.
Hole Sizes for M3
| Coarse-thread pitch (ISO 724) | 0.5 mm |
|---|---|
| Through-hole / clearance (ISO 273 medium) | 3.4 mm |
| Tapping drill, coarse thread | 2.5 mm |
Tightening Torque for M3
| Class 8.8 (dry, ~µ 0.125) | ≈ 1.3 Nm |
|---|---|
| Class 10.9 (dry, ~µ 0.125) | ≈ 1.8 Nm |
| Class 12.9 (dry, ~µ 0.125) | ≈ 2.1 Nm |
Indicative dry-joint values. Lubrication can lower the required torque by 15–25%. Always confirm against the joint design, especially when going up a strength class.
Installation Tips for M3 Heavy Hex Socket Head Cap Screw — GB/T 1228 / ASTM A325 (Series 046)
- Use a quality Allen key fully seated in the socket — partial engagement is the most common cause of stripped sockets at this size.
- For countersunk and button-head variants, chamfer the through-hole to seat the head flush without preloading the head/shank fillet.
- At M3 the joint is sensitive to over-torque — use a torque-limiting driver and check the head doesn't bury into a softer counterpart.
Mating Parts for M3
For M3, pair with a M3 hex nut (ISO 4032 / DIN 934) and, where used, a M3 flat washer (ISO 7089 / DIN 125A) under the head and under the nut.
When to Step Up or Down from M3
When the joint preload approaches the proof load of M3 class 8.8, step up to M4 class 8.8 (or move to M3 class 10.9). When the joint is over-specified, M2 often saves weight and cost without losing the safety margin.