Buy Hex Set Screws Online in Australia
Hex Set Screw Selection — Quick Reference
Hex set screws — FULLY-THREADED HEX HEAD SCREW (AS1112 / DIN 933) — thread runs the full length, no unthreaded shank. Screws directly into a tapped hole, or through a clearance hole with a nut. Distinct from hex bolts (AS1111 / DIN 931), which carry a plain shank under the head for shear-critical joints.
| Hex Set Screw Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Class 4.6 Hex Set Screw | Light-duty general |
| Class 8.8 Hex Set Screw | Workshop + structural standard |
| Class 10.9 Hex Set Screw | Heavy machinery + critical joint |
| 304 / 316 Stainless | Outdoor + marine + chemical |
| Hot-Dip Galvanised | Heavy outdoor |
| Nylon | Non-conductive + low-strength + anti-corrosive |
| Sems (captive washer) | Fast assembly, no loose washer to drop |
| Metric M3 - M20+ / UNC | AU + EU + US engineering range |
| Compare to Hex Bolt | See hex bolts |
Critical: FULLY-THREADED means the thread carries the joint along its entire length — fine for tension joints and general assembly. For precision shear-critical joints where a plain shank needs to locate in a reamed hole, use a hex bolt instead. See torque chart. Brands: Hobson, Champion, Bumax. Companion: hex bolts, grub screws, fasteners.
Hex Set Screws — Full Metric and Imperial Range
Hex set screws are fully-threaded hex head fasteners — the thread runs the entire length of the shaft, with no plain shank under the head. That makes them the right choice for screwing directly into a tapped hole, or for general clearance-hole-and-nut assembly where a precision shank fit isn't required. Where a hex bolt (AS1111 / DIN 931) carries an unthreaded shank sized to sit in a reamed hole for shear-critical alignment, a hex set screw (AS1112 / DIN 933) trades that shank for more thread engagement along the fastener's length. AIMS Industrial stocks hex set screws across the classes, finishes and sizes Australian trade and engineering work actually calls for.
Grade and class selection
- Class 4.6 — mild steel, light-duty general fastening where load isn't critical
- Class 8.8 — the workshop and structural standard; high-tensile steel suited to most engineering and trade assembly
- Class 10.9 — heavy machinery and critical joints needing higher tensile and proof load than 8.8
Finish and material
- Zinc plated — the standard finish for general indoor and light outdoor use
- Hot-dip galvanised — heavier corrosion protection for sustained outdoor exposure
- 304 / 316 stainless — 304 for indoor and mild outdoor corrosion resistance, 316 for marine and chemical environments
- Nylon — full plastic construction for non-conductive, anti-corrosive or low-strength applications where metal fasteners aren't suitable
Sems and assortment options
Sems screws combine the hex set screw with a captive washer — flat washer, spring washer, or a flat-and-spring combination — pre-assembled on the shank so it can't be dropped or left off during assembly. They speed up high-volume assembly work where a loose washer would slow the job down. For workshops that need a broad size spread on hand without ordering each size individually, AIMS also stocks metric and stainless assortment refill kits covering the common range in one box.
High-tensile stainless
For applications needing both stainless corrosion resistance and high-tensile strength — where standard A2/A4 stainless grades fall short — Bumax hex set screws in 316L stainless deliver 8.8 and 10.9-equivalent tensile strength without stepping down to a lower-grade material for corrosion resistance.
Metric and imperial
AIMS stocks hex set screws across the standard metric range (fine and coarse pitch) and in UNC imperial sizes for equipment built to US or older Australian standards. Match the thread pitch and class to the mating tapped hole or nut before ordering.
For quantities, non-catalogue sizes, or material certifications, contact our team.
People Also Ask — Hex Set Screws
Q: What's the actual difference between a hex set screw and a hex bolt?
A hex set screw (AS1112 / DIN 933) is threaded along its entire length, while a hex bolt (AS1111 / DIN 931) carries a plain, unthreaded shank under the head. The shank on a hex bolt is there to locate precisely in a reamed hole for shear-critical alignment; the full thread on a set screw trades that precision fit for more thread engagement, which suits screwing directly into a tapped hole or general nut-and-clearance-hole assembly.
Q: When should I use Class 8.8 instead of Class 4.6?
Class 8.8 is the workshop and structural standard, offering higher tensile and proof load than Class 4.6 mild steel. Class 4.6 is suited to light-duty general fastening where the joint isn't carrying significant load; for most engineering and trade assembly work, Class 8.8 is the safer default.
Q: What does a sems screw add over a standard hex set screw and separate washer?
A sems screw has the washer — flat, spring, or a flat-and-spring combination — pre-assembled and captive on the shank, so it can't be dropped or left off during assembly. That speeds up high-volume assembly work compared with handling the screw and washer as separate loose components.
Q: When would a nylon hex set screw be used instead of a metal one?
Nylon hex set screws suit applications needing non-conductive fastening, resistance to corrosion in aggressive environments where even stainless would be a concern, or low clamping force where a metal fastener could damage a delicate component. They carry far less strength than steel or stainless equivalents, so they're not a substitute where load-bearing capacity matters.
Q: Why choose a Bumax stainless hex set screw over a standard 316 stainless one?
Standard A4/316 stainless hex set screws are corrosion-resistant but carry lower tensile strength than alloy steel Class 8.8 or 10.9. Bumax 316L hex set screws are engineered to match 8.8 and 10.9-equivalent tensile strength while keeping full 316L corrosion resistance, useful where both properties are needed together and stepping down to a lower grade for corrosion resistance isn't an option.