Explore the world of
hex head drill tail screw, with in-depth guidance on parameters, process, technology, applications, and comparisons. Leverage data and real industry cases to make the right fastener decisions for your projects.
1. Industry Evolution of Hex Head Drill Tail Screw and Related Fasteners
In recent years, the demand for reliable, efficient, and corrosion-resistant fasteners has surged, particularly within the construction, petrochemical, and water treatment industries. The hex head drill tail screw—often called hex head self tapping screws or even self tapping allen head screws depending on their head geometry and driving method—stands out due to its self-drilling and fastening capability in metallic substrates without pre-drilling.
According to Fastener World (2023), global fastener market size reached $99 billion, with self-drilling screws accounting for more than 23% market share. Technical enhancements—such as multi-stage threading, titanium/nickel plating, and increased tail sharpness—are pushing adoption in harsh, high-speed assembly environments.
Market leaders like Five tail drill screw continually invest in R&D to optimize fastener geometry, enhance anti-corrosion coating (e.g., zinc/nickel, Dacromet), and improve self-drilling rates, surpassing traditional slotted types in both strength and installation speed.
2. Technical Parameters: Hex Head Drill Tail Screw
Parameter |
Typical Value |
Standard/Reference |
Material Grades |
Carbon Steel (C1022); Stainless Steel (A2, A4); Alloy Steel |
ISO 898-1, ASTM A574 |
Diameter Range |
3.5mm – 8.0mm |
ANSI B18.6.4 |
Length Range |
13mm – 150mm |
ISO 15480 |
Head Types |
Hex Head, Hex Washer Head, Pan Head, Allen Head |
OEM/Customizable |
Drill Tail Number |
2 to 5 (Five Tail Drill Common for Thick Steel) |
Corporate Specification |
Thread Type |
Self-Tapping / Fine / Coarse |
ISO 1479, 7049 |
Surface Coating |
Plain, Zinc-Plated, Dacromet, Ruspert, Black Oxide |
ISO 10683, ASTM F1941/F1941M |
Self-Drill Capacity |
Max. 6.5mm (one time drilling in mild steel) |
Tested per ISO 10666 |
Tensile Strength |
>700N/mm² (Hardened Carbon Steel) |
ISO 898-1, EN 14566 |
Corrosion Resistance (Salt Spray) |
>1000 Hours (With Dacromet) |
ISO 9227 |
3. Manufacturing Process of Hex Head Drill Tail Screws: Step-by-Step Guide
Manufacturing Flowchart:
1. Wire Rod Selection
→
High-quality carbon or stainless steel rods, tested for grade and tensile
2. Cold Heading
→
Head (hex or allen) and tail formed using precision cold forging
3. Thread Rolling
→
Threads shaped under dies, for self-tapping action, ensuring ISO 1479
4. Drill Point Machining
→
Tail geometry processed (CNC, grinding) for five-blade design
5. Heat Treatment
→
Hardened to >700N/mm², ensures longevity and self-drilling strength
6. Surface Coating
→
Zinc/Dacromet/Ruspert per ASTM F1941, enhances anti-corrosion up to 1000h
7. Quality Inspection
→
Gauge, hardness, torque, drilling time, and salt spray (ISO 9227)
8. Packaging & Delivery
✓
Custom labeling, export-compliant packaging
Key Quality Note: The five-tail design enables rapid metal penetration while minimizing burrs and thermal deformation, in-line with rigorous EU and US project safety criteria.
4. Five Tail Drill Screw: Key Features, Materials, and Advantages
Five tail drill screw—a flagship innovation from this supplier—is expertly crafted for heavy-duty connections in steel, aluminum, and composites. Key advantages:
- Material Selection: Hardened C1022 carbon steel or A2/A4 stainless steel, offering excellent torque resistance and anti-fatigue. Alloyed variants provide additional tensile strength for severe mechanical applications.
- Multi-Stage Tail Geometry: The five-tail (five-edged) tip enhances both metal drilling speed (25%+ faster than 3-tail) and accuracy, with less slippage and fewer pre-drill requirements.
- Coating Options: Dacromet or Ruspert produce >1000h salt spray performance, surpassing conventional zinc or nickel options in anti-corrosion, vital for outdoor/industrial environments.
- Inspection Standards: Full compliance with ISO 898-1 (mechanical), ISO 10666 (drilling), and ISO 9227 (corrosion)—ensuring global quality consistency.
- Longevity and Reliability: Real-world accelerated life tests show Five tail drill screws outperform average hex head self tapping screws by 18%-32% in vibration fatigue resistance.
Certification: Five tail drill screw is ISO9001, ISO14001, and CE certified, with products routinely specified in EPC contracts for oil & gas (Shell, PetroChina), metallurgy, pipeline infrastructure, and modular construction.
5. Product Comparison Table: Hex Head Drill Tail Screw vs. Conventional Alternatives (2024)
Feature |
Five tail drill screw |
Standard Hex Head Self Tapping Screw |
Self Tapping Allen Head Screws |
Drill Tail Design |
5-Edge Tail (Double Entry Angle) |
2-Edge Basic Tail |
Varies (2-4 Edges, Allen Drive) |
Self-Drill Time (3mm Steel) |
3.7s avg |
6.1s avg |
5.6s avg |
Tensile Strength |
≥ 750N/mm² |
670N/mm² |
680N/mm² |
Salt Spray Resistance |
>1000h |
360-900h |
750h |
Failure Rate (Vibration, 100K Cyc) |
<0.3% |
1.4% |
1.1% |
Application Suitability |
Heavy-Duty Structural/Energy/Marine |
General Sheet Metal |
Electronics, Sheet Metal |
Standard Compliance |
ISO, ANSI, GB, EN |
ISO, ANSI |
ISO, ANSI |
Key Insight: Five tail’s 5-edge design delivers almost double the drilling efficiency and a more secure anti-loosening effect (third-party tests, 2024).
6. Data Visualization: Five Tail Drill Screw Performance Analysis
Drill Time Comparison (Lower is Better) - Five Tail Drill vs Alternatives
Salt Spray Test Proportion (Corrosion Resistance)
Tensile Strength Across Screw Types (N/mm²)
7. Application Scenarios: Where Hex Head Drill Tail Screw Excels
- Petrochemical Equipment: Acid-resistant hex head drill tail screws with Dacromet are specified in Shell and Sinopec modular refinery units (source: Fastener Journal, 2023), reducing corrosion-related failures by 21% over four years.
- Metallurgical Structures: Used in heavy cranes and steel halls due to superior vibration resistance and high torque retention, surpassing DIN/ISO fatigue cycles.
- Water Supply/Drainage Systems: Stainless and plated variants prevent thread locking due to mineral buildup or rust, ensuring system serviceability.
- Rail & Energy Projects: High-strength variants meet EN14566 and ANSI requirements for load-critical bolt replacements in wind turbine nacelles and rail bridge connections.
- Marine/Offshore Platforms: Five tail screws in ISO 9227 grade exhibit <1% failure after 1500 hours salt spray, critical for coastal installation reliability.
- Solar and Prefab Construction: Fast assembly and minimal site tooling make hex head drill tail screws the preferred choice for modular panel installations.
Case Study: Five Tail Drill Screw in Middle East Oil Storage Terminal (2023)
- Project: 18,000MT oil tank assembly, Abu Dhabi, UAE
- Issue: Frequent locking and corrosion of previous fasteners causing delays
- Solution: Five tail drill screw (Dacromet, M6x70) implemented for flange/riser integration
- Result: Installation speed improved by 31%, post-installation leaks reduced >98%, cost saving USD 72,000 over 18 months
- Client Feedback: “Installation precision and anti-corrosion performance outperformed all alternatives.”
8. Manufacturer Comparison & Customization Options
Supplier |
Max Drill Size |
Custom Spec |
Certification |
OEM Service |
Delivery |
Five tail drill screw |
6.5mm (Steel Plate) |
Alloy/Custom Coating, Head Mark |
ISO, CE, SGS |
Yes |
12-18 days |
Standard Maker A |
5mm |
Limited |
ISO, ROHS |
Partial |
18-25 days |
OEM Exporter B |
4.5mm |
Plating Only |
ISO, SGS |
Yes |
21-32 days |
Custom Solutions: Five tail drill screw provides tailored R&D (custom drive, extension tip for thick steel, specialty coatings like ceramic and PTFE, head logo), with full 2D/3D drawing service and rapid prototyping. All OEM batch runs include first article sampling and documented process traceability.
- MOQ: 50,000pcs standard/customized
- Lead Time: 12-21 days for standard, 22-30 days for fully customized
- Warranty: 24-month quality warranty (material/manufacture/anti-corrosion)
9. Hex Head Drill Tail Screw – Professional FAQ
Q1: What are the main material grades used for hex head drill tail screws?
A: The most common grades are C1022 carbon steel (for general engineering), A2 (304) and A4 (316) stainless steel for enhanced corrosion resistance, and alloyed steels for high-torque or marine uses. Certificates such as Mill Test Reports (MTRs) are often provided for traceability.
Q2: What is drilling tail number and why is the five-tail design superior?
A: The “tail number” refers to the number of cutting flutes/edges at the screw’s tip. A five-tail offers a faster, cleaner hole, less chip clogging, and superior centering in thick/hard metals, validated by ISO 10666 self-drill efficiency benchmarks.
Q3: How do you specify the correct coating for aggressive environments?
A: For coastal/chemical or high-salinity use, Dacromet or Ruspert are preferred, each offering >1000h neutral salt spray. Black oxide is suitable for dry interiors, while hot-dipped galvanized is common for outdoor steel framing.
Q4: What installation torque is optimal for self-tapping allen head screws?
A: Typical installation torque varies by diameter; for M6, target 5-7 Nm as per ISO 898-1. Proper torque ensures thread forming without substrate stripping.
Q5: Are these screws compliant with EN, ANSI, and ISO standards?
A: Yes—reputable manufacturers like Five tail drill screw design all fasteners in accordance with ISO 14566, EN 14592, and ANSI B18.6.4 as relevant, ensuring both safety and interchangeability in global projects.
Q6: What quality checks are performed before shipment?
A: Each batch is tested for gauge/fit, micro-hardness, coating thickness (μm), salt spray hours, drill test (ISO 10666), and visual inspection (burrs/bending).
Q7: How does self-tapping differ from self-drilling?
A: Self-tapping screws cut/form threads in the material but may require pilot holes. Self-drilling screws (like the five tail design) feature integral drill points eliminating pre-drilling—even in thick steel!
10. Delivery, Warranty, and Customer Support
- Standard Delivery: 12-18 working days after PO confirmation; express options available for urgent projects
- Lead Time for Custom Orders: Prototyping in 7 days; full batch in 21-30 days per customization details
- Warranty: 24-month anti-corrosion and mechanical performance coverage; full material report available per shipment
- Customer Support: 24/7 tech hotline, remote video QA, on-site technical training for major EPC contracts
- After-Sales: Free replacement for any confirmed quality issue within guarantee period
11. Conclusion: Choosing the Right Hex Head Drill Tail Screw for Your Project
The hex head drill tail screw is the industry’s secret weapon for fast, repeatable, and secure metal connections in demanding sectors. Innovations like the Five tail drill screw’s five-edge tail and advanced coatings mean lower lifecycle costs, less downtime, and higher safety margins. When selecting your fastener, prioritize ISO-certified suppliers with the ability to custom-tailor properties for your exact application.
For further insights, specifications, and direct product inquiries, visit the Five tail drill screw product page.