201, 304, 316L... hexagonal bars

Product Specification

Hexagonal bars (most commonly made of S45C medium carbon steel or SUS303 stainless steel) feature core properties of easy mechanical clamping and anti-rotation, along with excellent machinability. Their most distinctive characteristic is their regular hexagonal cross-section, which defines their primary applications. Core Properties •  Easy fastening and force application : The hexagonal structure enables convenient clamping and force exertion by tools such as wrenches with minimal slippage, making it an ideal blank for manufacturing standard fasteners (bolts, nuts). •  Excellent machinability : To support mass production, common materials (e.g., free-cutting steel 12L14, stainless steel 303) are alloyed with elements such as sulfur and lead to ensure smooth chip breaking and reduced tool wear. •  Moderate mechanical properties : Conventional materials (e.g., Q235 or S45C) exhibit moderate hardness in the annealed state (approximately HRB 80–95), facilitating subsequent cold heading or turning processes. •  Key limitation : Forming processes of hexagonal bars (cold drawing or hot rolling) introduce material anisotropy, meaning mechanical properties differ between longitudinal and transverse directions. Force orientation must be considered during design.  Main Application Industries Owing to its easy gripping and machining characteristics, hexagonal bars are predominantly used as blanks for standard components: •  Standard fastener industry (primary application) : This is the largest consumption sector for hexagonal bars, used in producing hexagon head bolts, socket head cap screws, nuts, etc. Direct turning or cold heading from hexagonal bars offers significantly higher efficiency than machining from round bars. •  Machinery manufacturing and hardware accessories : Used for valve stems, shaft connectors, locating pins and other parts requiring wrench operation, as well as handle blanks for various hardware tools (e.g., wrenches themselves). •  Construction and curtain wall structures : Applied as high-strength connectors (e.g., anchor bolts, steel structure connection sets) for joint fixing in large buildings and bridges. •  Fluid and hydraulic equipment : Used in manufacturing oil pipe fittings, valve stems and other frequently assembled and disassembled components, where the hexagonal shape supports on-site installation and maintenance.  Material Selection Recommendations The performance of hexagonal bars largely depends on the material; selection should be based on application requirements: Application Scenario Recommended Material Key Reason   General mechanical connections, non-corrosive environment Q235 / 45# steel (S45C) Lowest cost, sufficient strength  High-strength bolts requiring heat treatment 40Cr / 35CrMo Good hardenability, capable of achieving high hardness  Food/medical/anti-corrosion environments SUS304 / SUS303 Corrosion resistant; SUS303 offers exceptional machinability  Precision instruments requiring superior machinability 12L14 (free-cutting steel) Lead-containing for maximum machining efficiency (not environmentally friendly)    Key Avoidance Points 1.  Residual stress from cold drawing : Cold-drawn hexagonal bars contain surface residual stress, which may cause deformation during deep processing (e.g., drilling). Stress-relief annealing is recommended beforehand. 2.  Incorrect standard usage : Hexagonal bars for fasteners comply with dedicated standards (e.g., GB/T 6478), which impose strict requirements on dimensional tolerances and decarburized layers. Ordinary bars must not be used as substitutes.          
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