Hex Set Screws - UNC - Self Colour

Hexagon set screws, or hex sets to give them their common name, are available in both metric and imperial thread sizes in a wide range of finishes. A set screw differs from a bolt in that the shank is threaded all the way from the tip to the head.

UNC stands for Unified National Coarse. It is a common imperial thread type with less threads per axial distance than its UNF equivalent.

Unified thread types (UNF and UNC) were introduced at the beginning of World War 2 to enable the interchangeability of machinery manufacturing between the USA, Canada and Great Britain. Still commonly found on a vast array of old machines and vehicles in the UK, UNF and UNC threads continue to be the standard thread in the USA and Canada.

Steel products described as having a self colour finish are best suited to internal applications, as they have no additional protection against corrosion. The shade of a self colour finish can vary from bright metal to black, and it will change over time with oxidisation.

If you plan to use self colour finishes outdoors you should paint them to give them a protective coating.