• Thread is used to fasten two parts and to transmit force or motion.

In case of thread work, the

object is to ensure mechanical strength of the screw thread being governed by the amount of flank
contact.

• DESCRIPTIONS
o What is it?
A spiral ridge on a rod (screw or bolt), a spiral
groove in a hole (nut).
o What causes it?
Formed into the screw or bolt.
o What is the effect?
Screw or bolt can be rotated into or out of an object.
o What changes it?
Can be various sizes and shapes, can be external
(screw) or internal (nut), can be left hand or right
hand.

1
• There are many different thread forms in use today. The forms most widely used for power
transmission screw threads are illustrated at Figure below.

• The most common screw thread form is the one with a symmetrical V-Profile. The included angle
is 600. This form is prevalent in the Unified Screw Thread (UN, UNC, UNF, UNRC, UNRF) form as
well as the ISO/Metric thread.

Various types of screw threads

2
 Various types of screw threads

• The advantage of symmetrical threads:

o They are easier to manufacture and inspect compared to non-symmetrical threads. These
are typically used in general purpose fasteners.
• Other symmetrical threads are the Whitworth, and the Acme.
o The Acme thread form has a stronger thread which allows for use in translational
applications such as those involving moving heavy machine loads as found on machine
tools.
o Previously square threads with parallel sides were used for the same applications. The
square thread form, while strong, is harder to manufacture. It also cannot be compensated
for wear unlike an Acme thread.
• Great care must be taken as many forms are almost identical. The Acme form (290 included angle)
is only 10 different from the ISO Metric Trapezoidal form (300 included angle).

The Withworth Thread

3
• Many thread forms such as Unified, Metric ISO and Acme are subject to published standards
while others, including Ballscrew and Worm threads are not defined in detail by any standards
organizations.
• The Whitworth thread has an included angle between flank of 550. The Unified, Metric ISO with
600 angle and Whitworth threads are intended for use as standard nuts, bolts and pipe work.

The Unified Screw Threads (UN and UNF) The ISO Metric Screw Threads

Six basic elements in identifying screw threads:

1. Thread Pitch
o The thread pitch is the axial distance from one thread
groove to the next.
o The thread pitch can be measured with a steel rule,
rule or a
calliper or comparator can be used.
o The pitch can be determined by dividing the count into the
length.
o In the example shown in Figure on the right, there are 5
pitches in 1 in. so the thread pitch is .200 in.

2. Hand Of The Thread

o The hand of the thread can be easily determined by visual
inspection.
inspection
o Most threads are right hand and Left hand threads are
common on manual drives where clockwise handle
rotation raises, tightens, extends, or creates motion away
from the operator.

4
Six basic elements in identifying screw threads:

3. Major Diameter
o Major diameter is the diameter of an imaginary co-axial cylinder which touches the crests of an
external thread or the roots of an internal thread.
j diameter is an external /outer diameter of bolt or nut. The major
o Major j diameter can be measured
with a micrometer, calliper or steel rule. Major diameters are generally the first numbers found in
thread designations. Care must be taken to measure the major diameter on a section of the screw
thread that is not worn.

4. Minor Diameter
o Minor diameter is the diameter of an
imaginary co-axial cylinder touching the
roots of an external thread or the roots
of an internal thread. It simply calls as
internal diameter.
o The minor diameter can be determined
by direct measurement on an optical
comparator or by measuring the depth
of the thread with a depth micrometer
and subtracting twice the measured
depth of thread from the major diameter.

Six basic elements in identifying screw threads:

5. Pitch Diameter
o The pitch diameter is the diameter at which the thread
tooth and the thread space are equal.
o To accuratelyy measure the p pitch diameter requires
q an
optical comparator or thread wires.
o The optical comparator is the easiest to use as the
measurement can be directly made and no
mathematics are necessary.
o The disadvantage to the optical method is that the
screw must be physically removed from the machine
and taken to the comparator.

6. Angles of thread
o The angle of thread is known from the name of the
thread.
o All National form and Unified threads have a 600
angle.
o Acme and Worm threads have a 290 angle
o Whitworth threads have a 550 angle.

5
There are three common standards used in identifying thread:
1. Metric standards
o A metric screw thread is specified by how far, in millimetres, it advances in one turn of the
screw.
o For example, if one turn of a filter brings it 1 mm closer to the lens then it is called "M1.0".
o It is the distance from one peak of the thread to the next one. This number is referred to as "The
Pitch".
o The most popular metric threads are: M.5, M.75, M.9, M1.0, M 1.25. The usual filter thread in
medium size filters is M.75.
2. U.S.A (inch) standards
3. British (inch) standards
o English threads are specified by how many peaks there are in one inch of the length.
o They are specified as "Threads per inch" written "TPI" The diameter is specified in "thousandths
of an inch“.
o The most popular English threads are: 48 TPI, 40, 36, 32, 30, and 24 TPI.

DESIGNATION EXAMPLES OF VARIOUS THREADS

ORIGIN COARSE THREAD FINE THREAD EXTRA FINE THREAD
METRIC M8 M 8 X 1.0 M 8 X 0.75
U.S.A.
USA 3/8 - 16 UNC 3/8 - 24 UNF 3/8 - 32 UNEF
BRITISH 1/2 BSW 1/2 BSF NONE

ORIGIN MINIATURE THREAD PIPE TAPERED THREAD PIPE PARALLEL THREAD

METRIC M 1.0 M 12 X 1.5T (TAPER) M12 X 1.5
U.S.A. 1.0 UNM 1/8 - 27 NPT 1/8 - 27 NPS
BRITISH 10 BA 1/2 BSPT 1/2 BSPF
EXAMPLE
There are two kinds of ISO metric threads: coarse and fine.
o Fine metric threads are designated by the letter M followed by the nominal major diameter of the
thread and the pitch in millimeters.
For example M10 x 1.0 indicates that the major diameter of the thread is 10mm and the pitch is
1.0mm.
o Coarse metric threads haven’t indicated the pitch value.
For example stating that a thread is M10 indicates a coarse thread series is specified of
diameter 10mm (giving the thread a pitch of 1.5mm).

6
 Unified National thread ISO metric thread
and identification of and identification of
thread thread

British Thread (British Standard Whitworth) -- Coarse Pitch

Major Threads Pitch Minor Tap

Nominal Thread Pitch Thread
Diameter per Diameter Diameter Drill
Size Form mm Height
mm inch mm Male Thd. Diameter
W
Ww T
Type p H1
d=D tpi d2=D2 d3 mm

1/16" BSW 1.587 0.423 60 1.315 1.050 0.270 1.15

3/32" BSW 2.381 0.529 48 2.041 1.703 0.338 1.90
1/8" BSW 3.175 0.635 40 2.768 2.362 0.406 2.50
5/32" BSW 3.969 0.793 32 3.459 2.952 0.507 3.20
3/16" BSW 4.762 1.058 24 4.084 3.407 0.677 3.70
7/32" BSW 5.556 1.058 24 4.878 4.201 0.677 4.50
1/4" BSW 6.350 1.270 20 5.537 4.724 0.813 5.10
5/16"
5/16 BSW 7.938 1.411 18 7.034 6.131 0.904 6.50
3/8" BSW 9.525 1.588 16 8.509 7.492 1.017 7.90
7/16" BSW 11.113 1.814 14 9.951 8.789 1.162 9.20
1/2" BSW 12.700 2.117 12 11.345 9.990 1.355 10.40
5/8" BSW 15.876 2.309 11 14.397 12.918 1.479 13.40
3/4" BSW 19.051 2.540 10 17.424 15.798 1.627 16.25
7/8" BSW 22.226 2.822 9 20.419 18.611 1.807 19.25
1" BSW 25.400 3.175 8 23.368 21.335 2.033 22.00

7
 Nominal Root pitch
diameter Pitch Radius diameter minor diameter thread height drill
d=D P R d2=D2 d3 D1 h3 H1 diameter
M1.0x0.2 0.20 0.029 0.870 0.755 0.783 0.123 0.108 0.80
M1.1x0.2 0.20 0.029 0.970 0.855 0.883 0.123 0.108 0.90
M1.2x0.2 0.20 0.029 1.070 0.955 0.983 0.123 0.108 1.00
M1.4z0.2 0.20 0.029 1.270 1.155 1.183 0.123 0.108 1.20
M1.6x0.2 0.20 0.029 1.470 1.355 1.383 0.123 0.108 1.40
M1.8x0.2 0.20 0.029 1.670 1.555 1.583 0.123 0.108 1.60
M2x0.25 0.25 0.036 1.838 1.693 1.729 0.153 0.135 1.75
M2.2x0.25 0.25 0.036 2.038 1.893 1.929 0.153 0.135 1.95
M2.5x0.35 0.35 0.051 2.273 2.071 2.121 0.215 0.189 2.10
M3x0.35 0.35 0.051 2.773 2.571 2.621 0.215 0.189 2.60
M3.5x0.35 0.35 0.051 3.273 3.071 3.121 0.215 0.189 3.10
M4x0.5 0.50 0.072 3.675 3.387 3.459 0.307 0.271 3.50
M4.5x0.5 0.50 0.072 4.175 3.887 3.959 0.307 0.271 4.00
M5x0.5 0.50 0.072 4.675 4.387 4.459 0.307 0.271 4.50
M5.5x0.5 0.50 0.072 5.175 4.887 4.959 0.307 0.271 5.00
M6x0 75
M6x0.75 0
0.75
75 0 108
0.108 5 513
5.513 5 080
5.080 5 188
5.188 0
0.460
460 0 406
0.406 5 20
5.20
M7x0.75 0.75 0.108 6.513 6.080 6.188 0.460 0.406 6.20
M8x0.75 0.75 0.108 7.513 7.080 7.188 0.460 0.406 7.20
M8x1.0 1.00 0.144 7.350 6.773 6.917 0.613 0.541 7.00
M9x0.75 0.75 0.108 8.513 8.080 8.188 0.460 0.406 8.20
M9x 1 1.00 0.144 8.350 7.773 7.917 0.613 0.541 8.00
M10x0.75 0.75 0.108 9.513 9.080 9.188 0.460 0.406 9.20
M10x1 1.00 0.144 9.350 8.773 8.917 0.613 0.541 9.00
M10x1.25 1.25 0.180 9.188 8.466 8.647 0.767 0.677 8.80

Nominal Root pitch

diameter Pitch Radius diameter minor diameter thread height drill
d=D P R d2=D2 d3 D1 h3 H1 diameter
M11x0.75 0.75 0.108 10.513 10.080 10.188 0.460 0.406 10.20
M11x1 1.00 0.144 10.350 9.773 9.917 0.613 0.541 10.00
M12x1 1.00 0.144 11.350 10.773 10.917 0.613 0.541 11.00
M12x1.25 1.25 0.180 11.188 10.466 10.647 0.767 0.677 10.80
M12x1.5 1.50 0.217 11.026 10.160 10.376 0.920 0.812 10.50
M14x1.0 1.00 0.144 13.350 12.773 12.917 0.613 0.541 13.00
M14x1.25 1.25 0.180 13.188 12.466 12.647 0.767 0.677 12.80
M14x1.5 1.50 0.217 13.026 12.160 12.376 0.920 0.812 12.50
M15x1 1.00 0.144 14.350 13.773 13.917 0.613 0.541 14.00
M15x1.5 1.50 0.217 14.026 13.160 13.376 0.920 0.812 13.50
M16x1 1.00 0.144 15.350 14.773 14.917 0.613 0.541 15.00
M16x1.5 1.50 0.217 15.026 14.160 14.376 0.920 0.812 14.50
M17x1.0 1.00 0.144 16.350 15.773 15.917 0.613 0.541 16.00
M17x1.5 1.50 0.217 16.026 15.160 15.376 0.920 0.812 15.50
M18x1.0 1.00 0.144 17.350 16.773 16.917 0.613 0.541 17.00
M18x1 5
M18x1.5 1
1.50
50 0 217
0.217 17 026
17.026 16 160
16.160 16
16.376
376 0
0.920
920 0 812
0.812 16 50
16.50
M18x2.0 2.00 0.289 16.701 15.546 15.835 1.227 1.083 16.00
M20x1.0 1.00 0.144 19.350 18.773 18.917 0.613 0.541 19.00
M20x1.5 1.50 0.217 19.026 18.160 18.376 0.920 0.812 18.50
M20x2.0 2.00 0.289 18.701 17.546 17.835 1.227 1.083 18.00
M22x1.0 1.00 0.144 21.350 20.773 20.917 0.613 0.541 21.00
M22x1.5 1.50 0.217 21.026 20.160 20.376 0.920 0.812 20.50
M22x2.0 2.00 0.289 20.701 19.546 19.835 1.227 1.083 20.00
M24x1.0 1.00 0.144 23.350 22.773 22.917 0.613 0.541 23.00
M24x1.5 1.50 0.217 23.026 22.160 22.376 0.920 0.812 22.50

8
Errors in screw threads can arise during it’s manufacture or storage.
These errors may be minor, major, pitch diameter and thread form.
• Error In Major And Minor Diameters
These errors will result due to interference with the mating thread and strain in the joint and more
force is required for fitting. If this errors is present, it will lead to rapid wear and weakening of the
screw thread.
• Angle Errors
Any errors in angle of thread results in interference between bolt and nut. These errors increase
the virtual effective diameter of a bolt and decrease that of nut. This will cause a progressive
tightening and interference on assembly.
• Error in pitch
The threads are generated by a point cutting tool. The errors in pitch will result total length of
thread engaged will be either too small or to great.

• Tolerance of screw threads is complicated by the complex geometric nature of the screw thread
form.
• Clearances must be applied to the basic profile of the threads in order that a bolt thread can be
screwed into a nut thread.
• A tolerance class is made up of two parts, a tolerance grade and a tolerance position.
• Tolerance grades are represented by numbers, lower the number the smaller the tolerance.
• There are:
o 5 tolerance grades (grades 4 to 8) available for the minor diameter of the nut thread.
o 3 tolerance grades (grades 4,6 and 8) for the major diameter of the bolt thread.
o 5 tolerance grades (grades 4 to 8) for the pitch diameter tolerance of the nut thread.
o 7 tolerance grades (grades 3 to 9) for the pitch diameter tolerance of the bolt thread.
• A full designation for a metric thread includes information not only on the thread diameter and pitch
but also a designation for the thread tolerance class.
• For example a thread designated as M12 x 1 - 5g6g indicates:
• the thread has a nominal diameter of 12mm and a pitch of 1mm.
• 5g indicates the tolerance class for the pitch diameter
• 6g is the tolerance class for the major diameter.

9
• Tolerance positions are indicated by letters, upper case letters for nut threads and lower case
letters for bolt threads.
• The tolerance position is the distance of the tolerance from the basic size of the thread profile.
o For nut threads
¾ There are two tolerance positions,
ƒ H with a zero fundamental deviation (distance of the tolerance position from the
basic size) and
ƒ G with a positive fundamental deviation.
¾ As an example, for Metric system, M8 x 1 – 6H.
o For bolt threads
¾ There are four tolerance positions,
ƒ h has a zero fundamental deviation and
ƒ e, f, and g negative fundamental deviations.
¾ A positive fundamental deviation indicates that the size for the thread element will be
larger than the basic size.
¾ A negative fundamental deviation indicates that the size for the thread element
will be smaller than the basic size.

There are number of method in measuring thread. However, it will depend

on working environment.
• The normal method of checking threads in production is by the use of
Screw plug gauge
Screw Plug gauge or Screw Ring gauge.
o Screw plug gauges are generally supplied with GO and NO GO
members to check maximum and minimum material conditions.
o Screw ring gauges are supplied as individual GO and NO GO
gauges.
• Most combinations of pitch and thread form can be manufactured as
required.
• Screw thread roller caliper gauges are used to gauge external screw
threads and can be manufactured to gauge all standard thread forms. Screw ring gauge
• However, there is limitation of thread roller caliper gauge such as:
o Gauge is presented in only one axial plane at a time
o Not recommended for thin wall products
o Not recommended for pitch diameter tolerances of less than
0 050mm
0.050mm.

Tapered screw plug gauge

Screw thread calliper roller gauge

Tapered screw ring gauge

10
Profile Projector (Optical Comparator)
• Used for measuring objects by enlarging their projected profile on a
screen.
• It is capable to measure:
o Thread Angle
o Pitch length
o Major diameter and minor diameter (depending on the size of
screw).

Measuring Microscope
• Featuring high precision measurement by magnifying minute objects
from low to ultra high magnifications.
• The microscope is capable to measure the elements of thread as profile
projector.
• The thread angle can be measured by using specific reticle.

• SCREW THREAD MICROMETER

Measures the minor diameter of external threads.

11
Three Wire System
It is essential in using this method that the micrometers used be
accurate and the measuring faces flat and parallel; that the wires
used be hardened. The surfaces must be properly finished and the
set of wires the same diameter within .00003 inches if measurement
within .0001
0001 inch is desired
desired.

In the table of thread elements below is a column headed “Diameter

of Best-Size Wires.” This column lists the size of the wire, of a given
pitch, that touches the thread exactly on the pitch diameter when
placed in between two threads. 3-wire unit

Adjacent is a diagram showing the method of applying the wires for

the measurement of a thread.
Below will be found the best size wires to use for the various pitches
and the constant to subtract from the micrometer reading to obtain
the pitch diameter.

The wire sizes and constants given are for use with a thread which
has an included angle of 60°.

P = Pitch Diameter
D = Wire Diameter
W = Measurement Over Wires

Three Wire System

To calculate the “over wire measurement” when the “best-size” wires
are available, refer to the table of thread elements. To the basic pitch
diameter, add the constant for the “best-size” wire.

Example:
The basic pitch diameter of a 3/8"-16 thread = .3344
The constant for the “best-size” wire = .0541
The measurement over wires = .3885

To calculate the “over wire measurement” when the “best-size” wires 3-wire unit
are not available, refer to the table of thread elements. Subtract from
the pitch diameter, the single height V-thread and to the result add
three times the diameter of the available wire.

Example:
Th pitch
The i h diameter
di off a 3/8"
3/8"-16
16 screw = .3344
3344
Minus the single height V-thread = .0541
.2803
Plus three times .040" (available wire) = .1200
The measurement over wires = .4003

P = Pitch Diameter
D = Wire Diameter
W = Measurement Over Wires

12
Table of Thread Elements
Single* Height
Diameter of Constant for Width of Flat on
Threads Symmetrical Single Height
Pitch "Best Size" "Best Size" Crest and Root
Per Inch Thread Form V -Thread
Wires Wires NC and NF
0.64952P
140 .007143 .0041239 .006186 .004640 .0009 .006186
120 .008333 .0048112 .007217 .005412 .0010 .007217
100 .010000 .0057735 .008660 .006495 .0013 .008660
96 .010417 .0060141 .009021 .006766 .0013 .009021
90 .011111 .0064150 .009623 .007217 .0014 .009623
80 .012500 .0072168 .010825 .008119 .0016 .010825
72 .013888 .0080182 .012027 .009021 .0017 .012027
64 .015625 .0090210 .013531 .010149 .0020 .013531
60 .016667 .0096225 .014434 .010826 .0021 .014434
56 .017857 .0103097 .015464 .011598 .0022 .015464
50 .020000 .0115470 .017320 .012990 .0025 .017320
48 .020833 .0120279 .018041 .013531 .0026 .018041
44 .022727 .0131214 .019682 .014762 .0028 .019682
40 .025000
025000 .0144337
0144337 .021650
021650 .016238
016238 .0031
0031 .021650
021650
36 .027777 .0160370 .024055 .018042 .0035 .024055
32 .031250 .0180421 .027063 .020297 .0039 .027063
30 .033333 .0192448 .028867 .021650 .0042 .028867
28 .035714 .0206194 .030929 .023197 .0045 .030929
27 .037037 .0213833 .032074 .024056 .0046 .032074
26 .038462 .0222057 .033308 .024982 .0048 .033308
24 .041666 .0240558 .036083 .027063 .0052 .036083
22 .045454 .0262428 .039364 .029523 .0057 .039364
20 .050000 .0288675 .043301 .032476 .0062 .043301
18 .055555 .0320746 .048112 .036084 .0069 .048112
16 .062500 .0360843 .054126 .040595 .0078 .054126

Table of Thread Elements

Single* Height
Diameter of Constant for Width of Flat on
Threads Symmetrical Single Height
Pitch "Best Size" "Best Size" Crest and Root
Per Inch Thread Form V -Thread
Wires Wires NC and NF
0.64952P
14 .071428 .0412389 .061858 .046394 .0089 .061858
13 .076923 .0444114 .066617 .049963 .0096 .066617
12 .083333 .0481123 .072168 .054126 .0104 .072168
11 1/2 .086956 .0502040 .075306 .056480 .0108 .075306
11 .090909 .0524863 .078729 .059047 .0114 .078729
10 .100000 .0577350 .086602 .064952 .0125 .086602
9 .111111 .0641499 .096224 .072168 .0139 .096224
8 .125000 .0721687 .108253 .081190 .0156 .108253
7 1/2 .133333 .0769800 .115467 .086602 .0167 .115467
7 .142857 .0824784 .123717 .092788 .0179 .123717
6 .166666 .0962246 .144336 .108253 .0208 .144336
5 1/2 .181818 .1049726 .157458 .118094 .0227 .157458
5 .200000 .1154700 .173205 .129904 .0250 .173205
4 1/2 .222222
222222 .1282998
1282998 .192449
192449 .144338
144338 .0278
0278 .192449
192449
4 .250000 .1443375 .216506 .162380 .0312 .216506

*To calculate the pitch diameter of Unified and American National Form Threads, subtracts the figures found in this
column from the Basic Outside Diameter. Use the “Three Wire Method” to convert pitch diameter calculations into
Over Wire Measurements.
NOTE: Symmetrical thread height equivalent to the basic height, h, of the original American National Form.

13