Micro Screws
Nylon patch, micro-encapsulated adhesive and 3M tape for vibration-proof joints
M0.8 – M6 · Micro Screws Overview
A precoated screw moves the locking operation out of your assembly line and into ours. Instead of dispensing liquid threadlocker at the station, waiting for cure and managing pot life, the line simply drives a screw that already carries the correct amount of locking material in the correct place on the thread.
We apply three families of product. A nylon patch is a fused nylon pellet that creates an interference fit and can be re-used several times. A micro-encapsulated adhesive is a dry film containing resin and hardener in separate microcapsules; it activates when the screw is driven and cures in 24 hours to a high-strength bond. A 3M tape or patch is used where a precise, thin, non-curing seal is needed. Each is applied at a controlled axial position so it sits inside the engaged thread rather than at the start of the chamfer.
Diameter range
M0.8 – M6
Locking systems
Nylon patch, micro-encapsulated adhesive, 3M tape / patch
Patch length
1.5 – 4 × pitch, positioned per drawing
Break-loose torque
0.02 – 3.5 N·m depending on size and system
Re-use cycles
Nylon patch 3 – 5, encapsulated 1 (permanent)
Cure time (encapsulated)
24 h at 23 °C, 30 min at 80 °C
Design intent
Six engineering decisions that separate a micro fastener that works from one that merely fits the drawing.
Eliminates adhesive dispensers, pot-life control and operator variability — the locking element is already on the screw.
The patch or encapsulant is placed at a defined distance from the point so it engages the mating thread rather than sitting in the chamfer.
Nylon patch gives 3–5 re-use cycles; micro-encapsulated adhesive gives a permanent, high-break-loose joint.
Precoat can seal against water and dust ingress in IP-rated enclosures, reducing the need for a separate O-ring.
No liquid spill, no solvent vapour and no contamination of nearby optics or electronics.
Every batch is sampled for first, fifth and tenth break-loose torque so the joint behaves as your specification predicts.
Technical data
Reference data for design and sourcing. For a specific part, the drawing governs — these tables are the starting point for a joint review.
| System | Locking strength | Re-usable | Seals | Cure required | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon patch | Medium | 3 – 5 cycles | Partial | No | Serviceable joints, adjustment screws |
| Micro-encapsulated (blue) | Medium-high | No | Yes | 24 h | Vibration-prone joints, one-way assembly |
| Micro-encapsulated (red) | High | No | Yes | 24 h | Permanent, high-security joints |
| 3M tape / patch | Low-medium | 1 – 2 cycles | Yes | No | Thin sealing, low torque, delicate parts |
| Pre-applied dry seal | None | 1 cycle | Yes | No | IP-rated enclosures, no locking needed |
Values are typical for the stated material and finish. Actual performance depends on the mating material, engagement length and assembly torque. Confirm with a sample test before design freeze.
Options
Mix these within one part number family. Where a combination is not manufacturable at your tolerance, we will say so at quotation rather than after the first lot.
Where it is used
Representative positions rather than an exhaustive list. Many of our parts are designed for one specific assembly and never appear in a catalogue.
| Assembly | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Robot finger linkages | M1.4–M2.0 screws with blue encapsulant so joint preload survives 10⁷ cycles |
| Notebook hinges | M2.0 nylon patch screws allowing tension adjustment after service |
| Drone motor mounts | M3.0 encapsulated screws resisting high-frequency vibration |
| IP67 enclosures | Pre-applied seal on M2.5 screws eliminating a separate gasket |
| Camera lens barrels | Fine-pitch set screws with nylon patch for focus adjustment |
| E-bike battery packs | M4.0 high-strength precoated screws for vibration and tamper resistance |
Quality control
Inspection is not a final gate. It is a set of checks placed where a process can actually drift, with the result recorded against the lot code.
01
Patch mass and position, gravimetric and optical
02
Break-loose torque, first / fifth / tenth cycle
03
Breakaway and prevailing torque per ISO 16047
04
Cure verification for encapsulated adhesive, FTIR
05
Sealing, IP68 immersion where specified
06
Adhesive coverage, UV inspection
07
Shelf life and storage trial
08
RoHS / REACH declaration
Questions
The questions our engineers answer most often on this product family.
Related products
These families are frequently used in the same assembly, or as an alternative when the joint requirement changes.
Micro Screws · M0.5 – M6
Precision machine screws from M0.5 to M6 with rolled Class 6g threads, tight head concentricity and clean drive recesses for automated driving.
Micro Screws · M0.8 – M6
Physical vapour deposition coatings that add 2–5 µm of hard ceramic film — for driver wear resistance, low friction and decorative black or gold finishes.
Precision Components · M2 – M6
Captive panel screws that remain attached to the cover when opened — eliminating lost fasteners in field service, medical and rack-mount equipment.
Specialties · M0.8 – M6
Tamper-resistant micro screws with pin-in-Torx, tri-wing, pentalobe and one-way drives — for products where access must be controlled or evidenced.
Send a drawing or 3D model with the mating material and finish requirement. We reply with a process route, tolerance review and price — usually within two working days.