Best RC Screw Types? Steel, Titanium, Aluminum

What is the best RC Screw Type? Titanium, stainless steel, aluminum, and steel are commonly used materials for RC screws. Each material offers different benefits depending on the specific needs.

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Screw Types	Notes
12.9 Grade Steel	– Use For high-impact areas or Bottom of chassis to lower CoG
10.9 Grade Steel	– not as high of impact as 12.9 Grade Steel but the cost per performance, and usually all you need
Stainless Steel	– Use For where the condition would cause rust to a standard screw – Note: Stainless Steel is malleable, making it less prone to snapping but more prone to stripping
Titanium	– Use in Area you want to reduce weight and keep good strength – Note: Not malleable! it keeps its shape under high impact but if too much it will break or crack – super hard to drill out as well – Recommend – playing it safe and not using it in metal parts or parts you wish to keep
Aluminum	– Use strictly for reducing weight – Note: 7075 Aluminum is about 2/3 the weight of steel and about 45% lighter than Titanium Recommend – 7075 Aluminum
Where to Buy	– Budget RC screw set on Amazon (Ad) usually all you need to get started – McMaster-Carr – AmainHobbies – Protek Screws on eBay (Ad)

12.9 Grade Steel

12.9-grade Steel screws are favored in RC cars due to their exceptional tensile strength and durability. RC cars endure significant stress and vibration, especially during off-road or high-speed operations. Steel 12.9 screws offer superior strength compared to lower-grade steel or stainless steel screws, reducing the likelihood of stripping or breaking under these demanding conditions.

12.9 vs 10.9 grade steel – 12.9-grade steel has higher tensile strength compared to 10.9-grade steel. This makes grade 12.9 bolts about 15-20% stronger, potentially offering better reliability in high-stress situations.
Where to use 12.9-Grade Steel screws on your RC – We recommend using them in high-impact areas – using them in the bottom chassis can lower your CoG due to them weighing more – overall they are great to use anywhere.

10.9 Grade Steel

10.9 Grade steel screws are chosen for RC cars due to their high tensile strength and durability, providing reliability under stress and vibration, which is common in RC racing scenarios.

When to use 10.9 Grade Steel screws over 12.9? – 10.9 steel may be suitable for less demanding applications. More often than not 10.9 Grade Steel is all you need and not worth the extra money to upgrade to 12.9

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel screws are favored in RC cars primarily for their corrosion resistance properties. Unlike standard steel screws, stainless steel screws are highly resistant to rust and oxidation, making them ideal for applications where exposure to moisture or harsh outdoor elements is common. This corrosion resistance ensures a longer lifespan for the screws and helps maintain the structural integrity of RC car components over time.

Stainless Steel vs 12.9 Grade Steel – Stainless steel offers excellent corrosion resistance and is more malleable which can be Good and Bad (The Good, is less likely to snap off, easier to drill out, and has less chance of getting sucked) (The bad, more likely to strip out head and threads) Vs. 12.9 Grade steel is known for its high strength and resistance to deformation, but it is more likely to crack or snap off.
Where to use Stainless Steel screws on your RC – Anywhere a standard steel screw is prone to rust (some track spray chemicals for grip but also cause rust). they also work well for the bottom chassis for dirt does not stick to them as much. Most of the time you won’t have any problem using them on all parts of the car (keep in mind they are not likely to snap off in high-stress areas but are prone to striping threads.

Titanium

Titanium screws are preferred in RC cars mainly due to their lightweight nature, which contributes to improved speed and agility on the track. Additionally, titanium screws are corrosion-resistant, ensuring longevity and ease of maintenance, making them ideal for prolonged use without deterioration.

6AL-4V Grade 5 Titanium is usually the recommended!

Titanium Vs 12.9 Grade Steel – While titanium offers weight savings (about 40% lighter than steel) and corrosion resistance, it may not always provide the same level of strength as 12.9-grade alloy steel, especially in scenarios with high impact forces. Additionally, titanium components can be more expensive than their alloy steel counterparts.
Where to use Titanium screws on your RC – anywhere you want to reduce weight but keep decent strength. Grate in high-stress areas that are high on the RC car for it will lower CoG (holding shock towers, wing mounts, shock mounts, upper brace mounts, etc…). Uses on suspension parts to reduce unsprung weight. Also, try to avoid using it in high-stress areas in other metals like aluminum hub carriers for it’s prone to breaking off and sometimes near impossible to get out.

Aluminum

Aluminum screws are commonly used in RC cars primarily for weight reduction purposes and to improve the vehicle’s center of gravity (CG). Aluminum screws are significantly lighter than their steel counterparts, contributing to overall weight savings in the RC car. This weight reduction is particularly advantageous in racing scenarios, where lighter vehicles can achieve higher speeds and better handling characteristics.

You can sometimes get away with 6061 Aluminum But…

We recommend 7075 Aluminum!!!

Aluminum Vs Titanium – If weight reduction and aesthetics are crucial, aluminum screws may be preferred. However, if durability, strength, and resistance to stripping are paramount, titanium screws offer superior performance and longevity.
Where to use (7075) Aluminum screws on your RC – In low-stress areas, where your main goal is to reduce weight (7075 Aluminum is about 2/3 the weight of steel and about 45% lighter than Titanium). Use them in areas like (top plates, servo mounts, electronic covers, motor covers, fan mounts, etc…) also in places that have 4+ screws you can pair them with steel or titanium (Things like shock tower, diff cover, diff case, diff mounts, etc…).