5J7XM33IXN4XCQI6B2BB t1_j46oexa wrote on January 13, 2023 at 3:23 PM

Reply to comment by W0tzup in What does it mean to torque a screw to a specific torque? by alucemet

The purpose of torquing is to apply a specific(ish) amount of preload to the screw. It has nothing to do with protecting the threads.

In many applications, a bolt can only be used once anyways because it stretches during torquing the first time it is used.

Chasethemac t1_j471380 wrote on January 13, 2023 at 4:44 PM

Protecting the threads is a huge factor in torque spec.

Material and thread type would determine what you can torque something, too. It's basically the starting point in determining a spec. Valve cover onto aluminum head, for example.

5J7XM33IXN4XCQI6B2BB t1_j480mmf wrote on January 13, 2023 at 8:21 PM

Torqued bolts/screws exist to provide a certain amount of clamping force. You do not choose a torque spec based on the threads, you choose the bolt size, material, and thread profile based on the clamping force requirements.

Anyways, I prefer angle control over torque control since it's much more repeatable, assuming your bolts are to spec.

I used to work for a fastener company in QA.