Specifications
Surface Treatments
Certifications
- ISO 9001 - 2015 Certified
- PED 2014/68/EC
- NACE MR0175/ISO 15156-2
- NORSOK M-650
- DFAR
- MERKBLATT AD 2000 W2/W7/W10
ISO 14579 (Hexalobular Internal Drive), Not External 12-Point
ISO 14579 specifies the internal hexalobular socket head (a six-lobed star pattern recessed inside the bolt head, similar to Torx) used on cap screws. It is sometimes confused with external 12-point bolts because both involve twelve splines or contact points. They are different drive systems on different sides of the bolt head, requiring different drivers.
If the bolt has its drive pattern on the OUTSIDE of the head (twelve splines you grip from the outside with a 12-point socket wrench), it is an external 12-point bolt under MS21250, NAS1351, AS3216, or similar. If the bolt has its drive pattern on the INSIDE of the head (a six-lobed recessed socket you turn with a Torx-style internal driver), it is ISO 14579.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Property | ISO 14579 (internal hexalobular) | External 12-point (MS21250 / NAS1351) |
|---|---|---|
| Drive location | Internal recessed socket inside head | External splines on outside of head |
| Drive pattern | 6-lobe star (12 contact points) | 12 external splines (every 30 degrees) |
| Driver tool | Hexalobular / Torx internal driver | 12-point socket wrench |
| Common standard | ISO 14579 | MS21250, NAS1351, AS3216, NAS6303-6320 |
| Typical market | European (DE, NL), industrial cap screws | US aerospace + motorsport |
TorqBolt Manufactures Both
TorqBolt produces ISO 14579 internal hexalobular cap screws AND external 12-point bolts (under MS21250, NAS1351, AS3216, NAS6303-6320) in alloy steel, A286, Inconel 718, and Ti-6Al-4V. Specify drive type clearly in your RFQ to avoid confusion at the manufacturing stage.
Why the confusion exists
German and Dutch engineering drawings frequently call out ISO 14579 for cap screws. English-language technical-spec searches for "ISO 14579" often surface alongside searches for "12-point bolt" because both involve twelve features on the bolt head. The features are on different sides of the head (internal recessed vs external protruding) and require different driver tools.
For external 12-point bolt clarification (the bolt vs the tool), see External vs Internal 12-Point. For the 12-point socket wrench tool itself, see 12-Point Socket (Tool).
Naming and search confusion
The "12-point" label appears across three distinct fastener systems: external 12-point bolts (bolt with 12 splines OUTSIDE the head, driven by a 12-point socket wrench), internal hexalobular cap screws under ISO 14579 (cap screw with a 6-lobed star-shape socket recessed inside the head, driven by a Torx-style internal driver), and 12-point socket tools themselves (the wrench that drives the external bolt). All three involve "twelve" features and confuse search results. We make the bolts; we disambiguate so the right tool finds the right page.
If you searched for the tool
If your search query was "12-point socket" or "12-point wrench" looking for the tool itself, retail tool brands like Snap-on, Craftsman, GearWrench, Husky, and Sunex carry 12-point socket sets in standard metric and inch sizes. We are a manufacturer of the bolt that the socket drives, not a tool retailer. The internal hexalobular drive (ISO 14579) is a different system entirely and is driven by Torx, T20-T55 commonly.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 12-point bolt?
A 12-point bolt has 12 splines arranged every 30 degrees on the OUTSIDE of the bolt head, also called a bi-hex or double-hex bolt. The 12 external splines provide twice the wrench-engagement angles of a standard hex head, allowing higher applied torque before cam-off, which is why aerospace and motorsport applications adopt the geometry.
Are 12-point bolts the same as ISO 14579?
No. ISO 14579 specifies an INTERNAL hexalobular socket head (similar to Torx) recessed inside a cap screw. External 12-point bolts under MS21250 / NAS1351 / AS3216 use an EXTERNAL bi-hex head driven by a 12-point socket wrench. Both involve 12 features but on different sides of the bolt head and require different drivers.
Which alloys does TorqBolt manufacture 12-point bolts in?
TorqBolt produces 12-point bolts in A286 (UNS S66286), Inconel 718 (UNS N07718), Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5, MP35N (UNS R30035), Custom 465 H1025, AISI 8740 chromoly heat-treated, AISI 4340, 17-4 PH, H-11 tool steel, and L19 race-grade alloy steel. Choice depends on tensile target, service temperature, and corrosion environment.
Is TorqBolt AS9100D certified?
Yes. TorqBolt operates under AS9100D Rev D and ISO 9001:2015 quality management systems, audited annually by the registrar. NORSOK M-630 and NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 qualifications cover offshore and sour-service applications. Mill test reports MTC 3.1 standard and MTC 3.2 critical-service witness are issued with every lot.
What lead time should I expect?
Stock alloys (A286, AISI 8740, AISI 4340, 17-4 PH, 316 stainless) ship in 4 to 6 weeks. Specialty alloys (Inconel 718, MP35N, Custom 465, Ti-6Al-4V, L19) ship in 8 to 12 weeks depending on raw-bar lead time at the alloy producer. Critical-service orders requiring third-party witness inspection (MTC 3.2) add 1 to 2 weeks for witness scheduling.
Request a Quote
RFQ to info@torqbolt.com. Specify whether you need the ISO 14579 internal-drive or the external 12-point bolt.
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