304 / 316 stainless steel · Sheet-metal fixing
Stainless Steel Painted Wafer Head Type F Screws
304 and 316 stainless steel Type F screws combine a painted wafer head with Torx drive and a blunt, fluted cutting end. They form mating threads in prepared holes for sheet metal, architectural panels, aluminium profiles and other reviewed substrates.
- 304 / 316 stainless steel
- Low-profile wafer head with a broad bearing face
- Type F blunt end with thread-cutting flutes
KEY FEATURES & PERFORMANCE
Low profile.
Cut-to-fit threads.
A Type F cutting end works in a prepared hole; it is not a drill point. Match hole preparation and thread engagement to the receiving material, then confirm the low wafer-head clearance, Torx drive and painted-head finish.
- 01
Grade selection for the exposure
304, often described as 18-8, is used for general exposure; molybdenum-bearing 316 is considered for salt or chemical conditions. Match the grade to the timber treatment or contact materials and environment.
- 02
Wide, low-profile seating
The wafer head spreads clamping force over a broad sheet area while keeping a shallow visible profile. Confirm head diameter, panel clearance and the bearing detail.
- 03
A head colour for the panel
The painted head can be coordinated with the panel finish. Colour and appearance are agreed with a sample; paint on the head is not a rating for complete-screw corrosion resistance.
- 04
Type F cutting action
The blunt end and cutting flutes produce mating threads as the screw advances into a prepared hole. Material hardness and hole size are essential to the selected connection.
- 05
Torx drive engagement
A matching star-drive bit transfers torque through several contact faces, helping reduce cam-out. Tool settings and alignment remain important as the cutting threads advance.
- 06
Thread fit in the receiving part
The cut thread supports clamp-up and retention in the intended substrate. Pull-out and vibration behaviour require configuration-specific data rather than a universal zero-clearance claim.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Size & Configuration Overview
Use the listed range to define the configuration for your product enquiry.
| Material grade | 304 / 316 stainless steel |
|---|---|
| Head form | Low-profile wafer head with a broad bearing face |
| Drive | Torx recess |
| Point | Type F blunt end with thread-cutting flutes |
| Head finish | Painted head; colour matched to an agreed sample |
| Hole preparation | Prepared hole matched to substrate, thickness and screw |
| Listed diameters | #8, #10, #12 and #14 |
| Listed length range | 1-6 in; source nominal metric range 25-150 mm |
| Finish requests | Head colour, passivation and specialty finish by agreed specification |
| Custom production | Head marking, dimensions, tolerances and packaging to an agreed brief |
The source lists 1-6 in and nominal 25-150 mm ranges; they are not exact conversions. Confirm the dimensioned drawing and available combinations with the quotation.
APPLICATIONS & CONNECTION PLANNING
Connections This Range Is Made For
Sheet metal & facade panels
For heavy-gauge sheet, siding and architectural panels, review the head footprint and panel colour alongside the prepared hole and receiving thickness.
Aluminium profiles & castings
Give the actual alloy, hardness, wall thickness and hole geometry. Provide clearance for cutting and chip movement rather than selecting from overall screw length alone.
Rigid plastics & components
Dense plastics and component assemblies need material-specific hole and thread engagement. Trial the selected configuration against the required clamp and service conditions.
Select against the actual materials, joint dimensions and exposure. Performance requirements need data for the ordered configuration and complete connection.
COATING SOLUTIONS
A Finish That Fits
the Project
The painted wafer head can be matched to a panel colour. Provide a panel reference or approved colour sample, with the appearance tolerance required for your order.
Specify the stainless grade, contact materials and environment alongside the finish. A decorative head colour and a protective surface treatment serve different purposes; coating scope and any test requirements are agreed for the exact configuration.
Explore Coating Solutions →CUSTOMER QUESTIONS
Product, OEM & Packaging Q&A
Product selection, configuration checks, custom production and packaging for this range.
Product
Does Type F drill its own hole?
No. This is a thread-cutting point with a blunt, fluted end. It requires a prepared receiving hole sized for the selected screw, material and thickness.
Product
Does a painted head establish corrosion performance?
Head colour is an appearance choice. Specify the substrate, complete finish system and required exposure tests separately; the visible paint alone is not proof of protection.
Product
Can the same hole size be used in every substrate?
No. Sheet metal, aluminium, castings and rigid plastics differ. Hole size, engagement and installation conditions are reviewed for the actual receiving material.
OEM
Can you customise the screw design?
Yes. Head markings, head and drive details, dimensions and tolerances can be reviewed against your drawing or specified standard. A custom design is agreed separately from the pictured configuration.
OEM
Can you match the head colour or finish?
Yes. Share the target colour, appearance and exposure conditions. Head painting, passivation and specialty finishing requests are reviewed for the selected material and screw configuration.
OEM
Can we approve samples before full production?
Custom samples and initial inspection reports can be arranged before the production order. The sample scope, cost and timing are confirmed during development.
Packaging
Which pack formats can we request?
Options include small polybags, inner boxes and industrial bulk packing. State the order quantity, units and preferred pack count; the final packing quantity and carton size are agreed for the order.
Packaging
Can the packaging carry our brand?
Yes. Inner and outer boxes, printed logos and supplied artwork can be included in a private-label packaging brief. Artwork and print details are approved before production.
Packaging
Can you include barcodes and shipping marks?
Private labels, UPC / EAN barcodes, part numbers and shipping marks can be included. Provide the required identifiers and label artwork so they can be checked against the product and pack format.
ORDER SUPPORT
Documents, Production & Delivery
Material & inspection records
MTRs and mill certificates can be requested with the enquiry. Identify the material, order and document requirements so record scope and batch traceability can be agreed. Inspection reports are matched to the selected configuration.
Stock, bulk & custom orders
Available stock, bulk production and custom work follow different scheduling routes. Confirm availability for the exact configuration; quantities, specification and sample approval determine the quoted production and dispatch schedule.
International shipping
FOB, CIF or DDP terms can be reviewed for your destination, with shipment tracking arranged for the agreed route. Destination availability, duties, charges and delivery timing are confirmed in the quotation.
Standards & Material References
| Dimensional references | ASME B18.6.3 / ASME B18.2.1 / ANSI |
|---|---|
| Material / physical references | ASTM F593 (Group 1: 304/305; Group 2: 316) / ASTM A240 |
Source-listed references require confirmation of edition and component scope; specify the exact ANSI standard. The list is not a certificate or proof that every reference applies to this screw.
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