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M45×3 — Full Fastener Spec
ISO 68-1 / ISO 261 · Fine series · Tap drill, clearance hole, torque, strength and tool sizes — every number on one page.
Tap drill (75% thread)
42 mm
Nearest inch drill: 53/32 (1.6562") · Clearance hole (normal fit): 48 mm ·
8.8 torque: 5472 N·m dry
Thread dimensions
Major diameter
45 mm
Pitch
3 mm
TPI (equivalent)
8.47
Pitch diameter
43.051 mm
Minor diameter
41.752 mm
Tensile stress area
1397.7 mm²
Tap drill sizes for M45×3
Percent of thread is a trade-off: 75% is the shop default because the last 25% of engagement adds only a few percent of strength while roughly doubling tapping torque. Drop to 50–65% in tough or gummy material, or for blind holes where a snapped tap means scrapping the part.
| Thread engagement | Exact | Metric drill | Nearest inch drill |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50% | 43.051 mm | 43 mm | 1.6875" (27/16 drill) |
| 65% | 42.467 mm | 42.5 mm | 1.6719" (107/64 drill) |
| 75% | 42.077 mm | 42 mm | 1.6562" (53/32 drill) |
| 85% | 41.687 mm | 41.5 mm | 1.6406" (105/64 drill) |
Roll (form) taps need a larger hole than cut taps — add roughly
0.4× the pitch to the 75% cut-tap drill and confirm against your tap maker's chart.
Clearance hole for M45×3
| Fit | Hole | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Close | 46 mm | Located joints, dowel-like alignment |
| Normal | 48 mm | General assembly — use this unless you have a reason not to |
| Loose | 52 mm | Weldments, sheet stacks, tolerance build-up |
M45×3 torque specs
Calculated with the short-form equation T = K · D · F, using K = 0.2 (plain, dry, as-received steel) and a target clamp load of 75% of proof load — the standard preload target for a reusable joint.
| Grade | Dry | Lubricated | Dry (lb-ft) | Clamp load |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.6 Low-carbon steel, general purpose | 2123 N·m | 1592 N·m | 1566 lb-ft | 235.9 kN |
| 8.8 Medium-carbon, quenched & tempered — the default structural grade | 5472 N·m | 4104 N·m | 4036 lb-ft | 608 kN |
| 10.9 Alloy steel, Q&T — high strength | 7831 N·m | 5873 N·m | 5776 lb-ft | 870.1 kN |
| 12.9 Alloy steel, Q&T — highest common grade (socket head cap screws) | 9151 N·m | 6864 N·m | 6750 lb-ft | 1016.8 kN |
| A2-70 304 stainless, cold worked | 4246 N·m | 3184 N·m | 3131 lb-ft | 471.7 kN |
The nut factor K dominates this result. Zinc-plated, waxed, anti-seize
and lubricated threads all shift K between roughly 0.10 and 0.25, which is a 2.5×
spread in torque for identical preload. If preload actually matters, torque-to-yield,
angle control or a load-indicating washer beats a torque wrench every time.
Tool sizes
Hex head wrench
70 mm
Hex key (socket head)
32 mm