Screws · DIN 84
DIN 84 Slotted Cheese Head Screw
Accurate Fastners manufactures and supplies DIN 84 slotted cheese head screws in stainless steel grades SS 202, SS 304 and SS 316, cold forged to meet the DIN 84 standard. Available in metric sizes M3 to M8 and lengths from 10 mm to 50 mm, these screws suit a range of light-to-medium assembly applications.
- Standard
- DIN 84
- Grades
- 304 / 316 / 202
- Size
- M3 – M8
- Length
- 10 mm – 50 mm
Overview
What is the DIN 84 Slotted Cheese Head Screw?
DIN 84 is a German Institute for Standardisation specification that defines the dimensional and geometric requirements for slotted cheese head screws with metric machine threads. The standard establishes head diameter, head height, slot depth and thread tolerances so that screws from different production runs remain dimensionally interchangeable. Accurate Fastners produces these screws by cold forging, a process that shapes the fastener under compressive force without removing material, yielding a consistent grain structure throughout the head and shank.
The cheese head — sometimes called a cylindrical head — presents a flat top surface and a straight cylindrical side wall that sits flush or slightly proud of the parent material when fully driven. Its relatively large bearing face distributes clamping load across a wider footprint than a countersunk or pan head of the same nominal diameter, making it well suited to assemblies where a broad clamping area is preferred and a protruding profile is acceptable. The single straight slot accommodates a flat-blade screwdriver or automated flat-tip driver.
Metric machine thread running the full or partial length of the shank engages with a tapped hole or a nut, transmitting clamping force axially through the fastener. Cold forging consolidates the material rather than cutting through its grain, which may contribute to consistent mechanical performance across a production batch. The combination of a defined head geometry, a standardised slot and a metric thread pitch makes DIN 84 screws straightforward to specify and source as replacement or original-fit components across a wide variety of equipment.
In Depth
Product description
Construction and Geometry
Each screw is cold forged from stainless steel bar stock, producing a one-piece fastener with an integral cheese head. The cylindrical head has a flat bearing surface on its underside and a single straight slot machined or formed across the top face. Head diameter and height conform to DIN 84 tabulated values for each nominal diameter from M3 through M8, ensuring dimensional consistency across the full size range offered by Accurate Fastners.
The shank carries a metric machine thread with the pitch specified by DIN 84 for each diameter. Thread form is consistent with ISO metric standards, allowing engagement with standard metric tapped holes or nuts. Lengths range from 10 mm to 50 mm, covering both short through-hole assemblies and deeper engagement situations. The cold forging process results in a smooth shank surface and well-formed head-to-shank fillet that reduces stress concentration at that transition zone.
Functional Behaviour in an Assembly
When tightened into a tapped hole, the flat underside of the cheese head bears directly against the surface of the parent part, spreading the compressive clamping load over the full head bearing area. The straight slot transmits the driving torque from a flat-blade screwdriver to the fastener. In applications where access is straightforward and controlled torque tools are used, the slotted drive typically allows repeatable assembly without specialist tooling investment.
In assemblies where the screw passes through a clearance hole in one component and engages a tapped hole in a second, the cheese head retains the first component while the thread clamps the joint together. Because the head remains visible and accessible after assembly, removal or inspection is generally straightforward. The protruding head profile should be considered in layouts where a flush or recessed fastener is needed, as DIN 84 screws are not countersunk and will stand proud of the surface.
How It Differs from Similar Fasteners
Compared with a pan head screw, the cheese head has a taller, straighter side wall and a flatter top, giving it a greater slot depth for a given nominal diameter, which may reduce driver slip-out risk during assembly. Compared with a countersunk head, the cheese head does not require a countersunk recess in the mating part, simplifying machining of the parent component but resulting in a head that protrudes above the surface once installed.
DIN 85 defines a similar slotted pan head screw, which has a lower, more domed head profile and a shallower slot relative to the cheese head. DIN 84 cheese heads are generally preferred where a deeper slot and a defined cylindrical head form are specified, for example in instrument or equipment assembly traditions that follow older German or European design conventions. Specifiers migrating from imperial slotted cylinder head screws may find the DIN 84 cheese head a close metric equivalent.
Material & Grade
Material and grade information
- SS 304
- SS 316
- SS 202
Accurate Fastners supplies DIN 84 screws in three stainless steel grades: SS 202, SS 304 and SS 316. SS 202 is an austenitic grade with a higher manganese content and lower nickel content than SS 304; it is typically selected for cost-sensitive indoor or low-humidity environments where the corrosion demands are moderate. SS 304, the most widely used austenitic grade, offers good general corrosion resistance and is commonly specified across food processing equipment, water treatment systems and general industrial assemblies.
SS 316 contains molybdenum, which generally improves resistance to chloride-induced pitting compared with SS 304, making it a common choice for pharmaceutical machinery, marine-adjacent environments and applications where cleaning chemicals or process fluids may be present. Grade selection should be confirmed against the specific service environment, mating materials and any applicable project or regulatory requirements. Accurate Fastners' quality control team checks incoming raw material at the procurement stage to verify grade conformity before production.
Grades shown are those documented for this product in the Accurate Fastners brochure. General material notes are guidance only; confirm grade selection for your environment.
Technical Data
Technical specifications
| Product type | Screw – DIN 84 Slotted Cheese Head Screw |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Material grade | SS 304, SS 316, SS 202 |
| Applicable standard | DIN 84 |
| Nominal diameter / size | M3 – M8 |
| Length | 10 mm – 50 mm |
| Thread type | Metric machine thread |
| Head / form | Cheese (cylindrical) head |
| Drive / tightening | Slotted |
| Manufacturing process | Cold forged |
Sizes
Available sizes
Documented size range
M3 – M8
Documented length range
10 mm – 50 mm
Individual sizes within the documented range, thread pitches and lengths are confirmed at quotation stage.
Applications
Industrial applications
RO Water Purifier Assembly
SS 304 or SS 316 cheese head screws may be used to secure filter housings, mounting brackets and panel covers in RO purifier units, where moderate corrosion resistance and a clean head profile are commonly required.
Submersible Pump Components
Stainless steel DIN 84 screws are often used in pump motor enclosures and cable entry fittings where compact M3–M8 fasteners with reliable thread engagement in tight spaces are needed.
Solar Energy Mounting Structures
Cheese head screws in SS 304 may suit junction box covers, control panel fixings and light structural connections in solar installations where a standard metric fastener with good outdoor corrosion resistance is appropriate.
LED Lighting Fixtures
Small-diameter DIN 84 screws in M3–M5 are commonly used to fix driver boards, reflectors and heat-sink assemblies inside LED luminaire housings where a low-profile, accessible head is practical.
Food and Beverage Machinery
SS 316 cheese head screws may be selected for food-contact or wash-down zones in processing equipment, where the molybdenum-containing grade is typically preferred for improved resistance to cleaning agents.
Featured for: Pharmaceutical Machinery
Features & Selection
Features and selection considerations
Design features
DIN 84 Dimensional Conformity
Head diameter, head height and slot dimensions conform to DIN 84 tabulated values, ensuring interchangeability with other DIN 84 compliant components across M3 to M8 sizes.
Cold Forged Construction
The cold forging process shapes each screw under compressive force, consolidating the grain structure and producing consistent head geometry without material removal at the head-shank junction.
Metric Machine Thread
Standard ISO metric thread pitch on each diameter allows straightforward engagement with metric tapped holes or nuts, minimising the need for special threading tools or non-standard components.
Wide Size Range
Available from M3 to M8 in lengths of 10 mm to 50 mm, providing a broad selection for thin panel fixings through to deeper structural or clamping engagements in a single product family.
Three Stainless Steel Grade Options
Offered in SS 202, SS 304 and SS 316, allowing specifiers to balance cost, corrosion resistance and service environment requirements within a single standardised fastener geometry.
Before you order
Thread Diameter and Length
Select the nominal diameter (M3–M8) to match the tapped hole or nut, then confirm the grip length required so the thread engagement depth meets the assembly's clamping requirement without bottoming out.
Grade for Service Environment
Specify SS 202 for dry or low-humidity indoor use, SS 304 for general industrial and water-contact environments, or SS 316 where chlorides, process fluids or aggressive cleaning agents may be present.
Mating Components and Drive Access
Confirm the mating hole is tapped to the correct metric pitch and that sufficient clearance exists for a flat-blade screwdriver or bit. The protruding cheese head must clear adjacent components after installation.
Quantity and Documentation
For bulk orders or project procurement, request material test certificates and dimensional inspection records at the enquiry stage. Accurate Fastners' quality control team conducts checks during procurement and before dispatch.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
What is a DIN 84 slotted cheese head screw used for?
DIN 84 cheese head screws are metric machine screws used to fasten components by threading into a tapped hole or engaging a nut. They are commonly found in instrument panels, equipment enclosures, pump assemblies and light industrial machinery where a cylindrical head profile is acceptable.
Which stainless steel grades are available for these screws?
Accurate Fastners supplies DIN 84 screws in SS 202, SS 304 and SS 316. SS 304 suits general industrial use; SS 316 is commonly selected where chlorides or aggressive cleaning agents are present; SS 202 may suit cost-sensitive indoor applications with moderate corrosion demands.
What sizes does Accurate Fastners stock in this product?
The range covers metric diameters M3 through M8 and lengths from 10 mm to 50 mm. For requirements outside this range or for non-standard combinations, please contact the sales team to confirm availability and lead times.
What does the DIN 84 standard specify?
DIN 84 is a German standard that defines the head diameter, head height, slot dimensions and thread requirements for slotted cheese head screws with metric machine threads, ensuring dimensional interchangeability across conforming products from different manufacturers.
What related fasteners or mating parts might I need alongside these screws?
Depending on the assembly, you may also require stainless steel hex nuts, flat washers or spring washers in the corresponding metric size. Accurate Fastners supplies a broad range of nuts and washers; confirm compatible grades and standards with the sales team when placing your enquiry.
How can I request a quotation from Accurate Fastners?
Submit your requirements — diameter, length, grade, quantity and any documentation needs — via the enquiry form on the website, or contact the team directly by email at export@accuratefastners.com or by WhatsApp. The sales team will respond with pricing and availability details.
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- DIN 912304 · 316 · 202
DIN 912 Socket Head Cap Screw (Allen Cap Screw)
Size: M3 – M16
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