FAQ

1.) How to decide what material to be used?

In order to choose the right one, you should consider the characteristics of each material. Knowing the material's weight, hardness, magnetic property, corrosion resistance and thermal conductivity will determine how best you can utilize its characteristics. Consider how this specific material suits the item/project better than the other materials available.

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2.) How to choose the right screw?

Choose the proper screw based on your application. You will have to consider the use of the fastener in order to specify its features such as screw head, drive, thread, thread point and the surface treatment you will need for the item/project.

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3.) How to choose the surface treatment?

You should consider about the appearance, use, corrosion resistance, hardness and friction of the fastener.

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4.) What should I do if the screws get rusted

To avoid rusted screws, stainless steel is always a good option. This material is chosen mostly for this purpose as it provides excellent corrosion resistance. There are many different types of stainless steels (e.g. 301, 302,304, etc.) which have different chemical composition, and each particular one has specific resistance to corrosion. You may even consider various electroplating treatment, this prevents screws from getting rusty as some of them provide excellent corrosion resistant to the material.

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5.) How can I measure the tensile and hardness of the screw or material?

Core hardness test, surface hardness test and tensile strength test can be done by the Rockwell hardness tester, Vickers hardness tester and tensile tester respectively. The test report can be provided upon your request.

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6.) How Hi-Tech might be able to bring down your cost?

Hi-Tech has the capability to manufacture screws using a different technique that is cost-effective. We manufacture screws using cold-forming technique as this is way faster and more economical than the lathing technique. Through this process, screws are formed by pressing steel rods into the screws we want and therefore no wastage of the material.

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7.) Why would the screw head break?

Screw head breaks usually because of "Hydrogen Embrittlement" which steel fasteners exposed to hydrogen can fail prematurely at a stress level well below the materials yield strength.

• "Internal hydrogen embrittlement" is the most common form of hydrogen embrittlement ad results when atomic hydrogen is absorbed into the fastener during the acid cleaning and/ or in the electroplating process. If the hydrogen remains in the steel, it can migrate to areas of high stress and build up causing small microcracks, which enlarge rapidly under load, causing the fastener to suddenly fracture.
• "Environment hydrogen embrittlement" is another form of hydrogen embrittlement whereby atomic hydrogen is absorbed into the steel from the environment after exposure to externally applied stress. The hydrogen can come from a number of external sources including a by-product of general corrosion, or as a by-product of a common reaction. It is said to be the least understood corrosion related hydrogen embrittlement phenomenon, but by far the most dangerous.

8.) What is corrosion?

• "Surface corrosion" is caused by abrasion as a result of the surrounding environment, e.g. sand, salt in atmosphere etc. which exposed the base metal to oxygen in the air. This is generally called rust.
• "Localized corrosion" is caused as a result of break down or damage of protective coating plating and is restricted to specific area.
• "Contact corrosion" is caused by the electro-chemical process resulting from dissimilar metals coming into contact as explained above.
• "Crevice corrosion" is caused by the presence of small crevices within the fastener joint where eroding chemicals accumulate and erode the material in that area over time.
• "Stress corrosion" is often referred to as environmental hydrogen embrittlement is caused by simultaneous effects from a corrosive medium and mechanical stress in the fastener join area.

9.) What is RoHS

The European Union (EU) RoHS Directive is an Article 95 single market directive standing for “ the Restriction of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment.” It was adopted in 2003 and came into force July 1, 2006. Fasteners that are components of any electrical and electronic equipment that is intended to be placed on the EU market would coe under the purview of this legislation.

The RoHS directive bans the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than 0.1% levels by weight of Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent chromium (Cr), Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB), Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) and 0.01% of Cadmium (Cd) with very few tolerances or exceptions.