Unified Acme Threads

This American National Standard ASME/ANSI B1.5-1997 is a revision of American Standard ANSI B1.5-1988 and provides for two general applications of Acme threads, namely, General Purpose and Centralizing. The limits and tolerances in this standard relate to single-start Acme threads, and may be used, if considered suitable, for multi-start Acme threads, which provide fast relative traversing motion when this is necessary. For information on additional allowances for multistart Acme threads. see later section on page 1827.

General Purpose Acme Threads

Three classes of General Purpose threads, 2G, 3G, and 4G, are provided in the standard, each having clearance on all diameters for free movement, and may be used in assemblies with the internal thread rigidly fixed and movement of the external thread in a direction perpendicular to its axis limited by its bearing or bearings. It is suggested that external and internal threads of the same class be used together for general purpose assemblies, Class 2G being the preferred choice. If less backlash or end play is desired, Classes 3G and 4G are provided. Class 5G is not recommended for new designs.

1⁄4" - 2 1⁄4" 3" - 5"

Unified Acme Threads

Identification Basic Diameters Thread Data
Nominal Sizes (All Classes) Threads per Inch,a n Classes 2G, 3G, and 4G Pitch, P Thickness at Pitch Line, t = P/2 Basic Height of Thread, h = P/2 Basic Width of Flat, F = 0.3707P Lead Angle λ at Basic Pitch Diametera Classes 2G, 3G,and 4G Shear Areab Class 3G Stress Areac Class 3G
Major Diameter, D Pitch Diameter, D2 = D − h Minor Diameter, D1 = D − 2h Deg Min
1⁄4" 16 0.25 0.2188 0.1875 0.0625 0.03125 0.03125 0.0232 5 12 0.35 0.0285
5⁄16" 14 0.3125 0.2768 0.2411 0.07143 0.03571 0.03571 0.0265 4 42 0.451 0.0474
3⁄8" 12 0.375 0.3333 0.2917 0.08333 0.04167 0.04167 0.0309 4 33 0.545 0.0699
7⁄16" 12 0.4375 0.3958 0.3542 0.08333 0.04167 0.04167 0.0309 3 50 0.66 0.1022
1⁄2" 10 0.5 0.45 0.4 0.1 0.05 0.05 0.0371 4 3 0.749 0.1287
5⁄8" 8 0.625 0.5625 0.5 0.125 0.0625 0.0625 0.0463 4 3 0.941 0.2043
3⁄4" 6 0.75 0.6667 0.5833 0.16667 0.08333 0.08333 0.0618 4 33 1.108 0.2848
7⁄8" 6 0.875 0.7917 0.7083 0.16667 0.08333 0.08333 0.0618 3 50 1.339 0.415
1" 5 1 0.9 0.8 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0741 4 3 1.519 0.5354
1 1⁄8" 5 1.125 1.025 0.925 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0741 3 33 1.751 0.709
1 1⁄4" 5 1.25 1.15 1.05 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0741 3 10 1.983 0.907
1 3⁄8" 4 1.375 1.25 1.125 0.25 0.125 0.125 0.0927 3 39 2.139 1.059
1 1⁄2" 4 1.5 1.375 1.25 0.25 0.125 0.125 0.0927 3 19 2.372 1.298
1 3⁄4" 4 1.75 1.625 1.5 0.25 0.125 0.125 0.0927 2 48 2.837 1.851
2" 4 2 1.875 1.75 0.25 0.125 0.125 0.0927 2 26 3.301 2.501
2 1⁄4" 3 2.25 2.0833 1.9167 0.33333 0.16667 0.16667 0.1236 2 55 3.643 3.049
2 1⁄2" 3 2.5 2.3333 2.1667 0.33333 0.16667 0.16667 0.1236 2 36 4.11 3.87
2 3⁄4" 3 2.75 2.5833 2.4167 0.33333 0.16667 0.16667 0.1236 2 21 4.577 4.788
3" 2 3 2.75 2.5 0.5 0.25 0.25 0.1853 3 19 4.786 5.27
3 1⁄2" 2 3.5 3.25 3 0.5 0.25 0.25 0.1853 2 48 5.73 7.5
4" 2 4 3.75 3.5 0.5 0.25 0.25 0.1853 2 26 6.67 10.12
4 1⁄2" 2 4.5 4.25 4 0.5 0.25 0.25 0.1853 2 9 7.6 13.13
5" 2 5 4.75 4.5 0.5 0.25 0.25 0.1853 1 55 8.54 16.53
  • a All other dimensions are given in inches.
  • b Per inch length of engagement of the external thread in line with the minor diameter crests of the internal thread. Figures given are the minimum shear area based on max D1 and min d2.
  • c Figures given are the minimum stress area based on the mean of the minimum minor and pitch diameters of the external thread. See formulas for shear area and stress area on page 1827.
Thread Form

The accompanying Fig. 1 shows the thread form of these General Purpose threads, and the formulas accompanying the figure determine their basic dimensions. Table 1 gives the basic dimensions for the most generally used pitches.

Angle of Thread

The angle between the sides of the thread, measured in an axial plane, is 29 degrees. The line bisecting this 29-degree angle shall be perpendicular to the axis of the screw thread.

Thread Series

A series of diameters and associated pitches is recommended in the Standard as preferred. These diameters and pitches have been chosen to meet present needs with the fewest number of items in order to reduce to a minimum the inventory of both tools and gages. This series of diameters and associated pitches.

Chamfers and Fillets

General Purpose external threads may have the crest corner chamfered to an angle of 45 degrees with the axis to a maximum width of P/15, where P is the pitch. This corresponds to a maximum depth of chamfer fiat of 0.0945P.

Basic Diameters

The max major diameter of the external thread is basic and is the nominal major diameter for all classes. The min pitch diameter of the internal thread is basic and is equal to the basic major diameter minus the basic height of the thread, h. The basic minor diameter is the min minor diameter of the internal thread. It is equal to the basic major diameter minus twice the basic thread height, 2h.

Length of Engagement

The tolerances specified in this standard are applicable to lengths of engagement not exceeding twice the nominal major diameter.

Major and Minor Diameter Allowances

A minimum diametral clearance is provided at the minor diameter of all external threads by establishing the maximum minor diameter 0.020 inch below the basic minor diameter of the nut for pitches of 10 threads per inch and coarser, and 0.10 inch for finer pitches. A minimum diametral clearance at the major diameter is obtained by establishing the minimum major diameter of the internal thread 0.020 inch above the basic major diameter of the screw for pitches of 10 threads per inch and coarser, and 0.010 inch for finer pitches.

Major and Minor Diameter Tolerances

The tolerance on the external thread major diameter is 0.05P, where P is the pitch, with a minimum of 0.005 inch. The tolerance on the internal thread major diameter is 0.020 inch for 10 threads per inch and coarser and 0.010 for finer pitches. The tolerance on the external thread minor diameter is 1.5 × pitch diameter tolerance. The tolerance on the internal thread minor diameter is 0.05P with a minimum of 0.005 inch.