Leading Hex Bolt Manufacturers

Hex Bolts Hex bolts, also called machine bolts, are cylindrical fasteners used to clamp two pieces of metal together. Hex bolts have hexagonal heads, thus the name, and machine threads for use with nuts or in a tapped hole.

With more than 130,000 commercial and industrial grade fasteners in inventory, our wide distribution network is positioned to get you the parts you need fast. Whether we’re keeping your bins full with a Vendor Managed Inventory Program or rushing emergency replacement parts with 24-hour on-call service, you’ll know that we’ve got you covered. Our HQ’s quality system is certified to AS9120 ...

Southern Fasteners & Supply, LLC $$$

At Northwest Fasteners Inc., we take pride in being a trusted provider of high-quality bolts and fastening solutions. Our team is committed to offering a comprehensive range of fastening products that cater to various industries, ensuring durability and reliability in every application. We specialize in manufacturing and distributing bolts that meet stringent industry standards, from simple,...

Northwest Fasteners, Inc. $$$

The easiest, fastest, most convenient way to buy fasteners online, plus free same-day freight. Your bulk fasteners for industry source offers over 30,000 SKU’s in stock! Aspen Fasteners serves all your bolt needs with battery bolts, cap screws, carriage bolts, elevator bolts, eye bolts, flange bolts, hanger bolts, hex head tap bolts, machine bolts, plow bolts, step bolts, structural bolts &...

Aspen Fasteners $$$

At EPS Engineered Parts Sourcing Inc., we specialize in providing high-quality fasteners that meet the diverse needs of various industries. Our extensive expertise allows us to deliver tailored solutions that support the critical demands of manufacturing, construction, and other applications where reliable fastening is essential. We pride ourselves on offering a wide range of fastening products,...

EPS Engineered Parts Sourcing Inc. $$$
Get Your Company Listed
placeholder image Southern Fasteners & Supply, LLC Northwest Fasteners, Inc. Aspen Fasteners EPS Engineered Parts Sourcing Inc.

Hex bolts are typically a steel or stainless-steel threaded bolt distinguished by their head's six-sided hexagonal form. Hex bolts have high tensile characteristics and hold well under tension. They can be completely or partly threaded (having a visible shaft across their body). Hexagonal bolts are adjustable and versatile fasteners that are useful in various settings and they are able to fasten components made from metal, wood, and several other materials. Hexagonal bolts are a popular type of fastener as a result of these traits and they are particularly used in the construction and industrial industries.

Manufacturing Hex Bolts

Cold Forming

Manufacturers most frequently use a process called cold-forming to create hex bolts. This process requires a machine that typically has a set of three or more dies that sequentially form a metal blank into a desired final shape and dimensions. For cold forming to begin, big steel wire rods are uncoiled and trimmed to length. The metal is left cold and formed into the proper shape using specialized tools. In essence, the steel is shaped while still being left at room temperature by being pushed through a sequence of dies under intense pressure.

A thread-rolling device creates threading into the shaft of the incomplete hex bolt once the cold-forming processes are complete. The hex bolt is then heat-treated to achieve the desired tensile strength and hardness. Finally, the hex bolt may undergo a final zinc coating or hot-dipping procedure to prevent corrosion. The machining process can be extremely complicated, requiring an accuracy of hundredths of millimeters. However, bolts can be made fast, in huge quantities, and with high consistency, thanks to cold forging once the process is mastered.

cold forming of a bolt
  • A hex bolt gains strength during the cold-forming process, also known as work hardening. This strength results because the grain structure of the steel is not altered by cutting or heating; it is shifted. These grains offer strength by accumulating along the part's curves.
  • A manufacturer can only produce so many different sizes of bolts using cold forming. The force required to force the steel into the correct shape increases as a bolt's diameter increases.

Hot Forging of Bolts

With hot forging, steel is heated to a state where it becomes pliable and is shaped into a die. Hex bolts are hot forged when a hex bolt’s diameter becomes too large to be effectively produced through cold forging or in cases where the steel material may not be sufficiently pliable through other means.

a hot forged bolt head
  • Steel becomes significantly more ductile when heated past the point of recrystallization, which enables the formation of the pieces under lower pressure. This ductility enables the hot forging of bolts in the majority of sizes. In fact, hot forging is frequently the favored manufacturing technique for large-diameter bolts.
  • Similar to how heating steel increases its flexibility, hot forging allows for more shape changes and unusual bolt designs than are able to be produced with cold forming.

Machining Steel Hex Bolts

Steel is removed and cut to the desired specifications during machining.

machining of a hex bolt
  • There are no restrictions on size or shape for machining. As a result, machining is the favored manufacturing technique for elaborately- shaped bolts since this process lets difficult pieces be manufactured relatively quickly.
  • A required shape is obtained by eliminating material from a part during machining. The amount of material waste produced by creating a hex bolt through machining is arguably its major drawback.
  • Additionally, when material is removed through machining, grain flow is disrupted and work hardening doesn't occur; so, the bolt doesn't gain any additional strength. This lack of strength could be a problem for applications that need durability and high tensile strength.

Types of Hexagonal Bolts

Hex bolts are divided into several classes according to their strength properties and material composition. The hardness and tensile strength of a bolt increase with each grade. Higher-grade bolts are typically utilized in applications that call for stronger fastening. The most common classes, or grades, of hex bolts in the United States are 2, 5, and 8. Metric grading is used outside of the United States.

Grade 8 Hex Bolt

A grade 8 hexagonal head bolt is manufactured from a carbon-steel alloy to achieve the highest level of toughness. These bolts are employed in the military, essential mechanical applications, and the aerospace sector. These bolts offer the dependability needed in applications requiring significant loads and stress because of their higher tensile strength than standard grade 5 fasteners.

a grade 8 hex bolt

Grade 2 Hex Bolt

Depending on the diameter, grade 2 hex bolts provide lower mechanical properties than grade 8 hex bolts and are made of low- to moderate-strength carbon steel. Engineers frequently employ grade 2 steel fasteners for less-critical joints and applications because of their lower price. When there is a need for applying hexagonal head bolts at joints that aren't subject to high temperatures or a lot of stress, grade 2 hex bolts make financial sense.

a grade 2 hex bolt

Choosing the Proper Hex Bolt Company

To make sure you have the most beneficial outcome when purchasing Hex Bolts from a Hex Bolt Manufacturer, it is important to compare at least 5 or 6 Suppliers using our list of Hex Bolt manufacturers. Each Hex Bolt Supplier has a business profile page that highlights their areas of experience and capabilities and a contact form to directly communicate with the manufacturer for more information or request a quote. Review each Hex Bolt company website using our proprietary website previewer to get an idea of what each company specializes in, and then use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple Hex Bolt businesses with the same message.

Hex Bolt Informational Video

 

Bolts Power Pages

Types Of Bolts

Types Of Bolts

Bolts are mechanical devices used in assembling and fastening objects, typically used with a matching nut. They are designed to be installed in aligned unthreaded holes of multiple parts...

Fasteners

Fasteners

A fastener is a non-permanent or permanent mechanical tool that rigidly connects or affixes two surfaces or objects together. Non-permanent fasteners can easily be removed without damaging the joined materials...

Self-Drilling Screws

Self-Drilling Screws

A self-drilling screw is a type of tool that has the same design features as a drill bit or cutting tool. As the name implies, self-drilling screws do not require a pilot hole in order to perform as a fastener...

Ball Screws

Ball Screws

Ball screws are mechanical linear actuators that consist of a screw shaft and a nut that contain a ball that rolls between their matching helical grooves. The primary function of ball screws is to convert rotational motion to linear motion. Ball nuts are used in...

Powder Metallurgy

Powder Metallurgy

Powder metallurgy is a manufacturing process that produces precision and highly accurate parts by pressing powdered metals and alloys into a rigid die under extreme pressure. With the development and implementation of technological advances...

Cold Heading & Cold Forming

Cold Heading & Cold Forming

Cold forming can be defined as the process of continuously forming a specific shape or design from a metal wire without adding heat. This is aided by hammers, dies, and punches at a very high speed...

Hardware
Featured Industries