What commonly influences the selection of structural screws?

The selection of structural screws is primarily influenced by their shear and tensile strength. These characteristics are critical in ensuring that the screws can withstand the forces they will encounter in the application. Shear strength refers to the screw's ability to resist sliding forces acting parallel to the material being fastened, while tensile strength refers to the ability of the screw to withstand forces acting to pull it apart or stretch it.

In aviation and structural applications, ensuring that screws can adequately handle the loads and stresses of their operational environment is vital for maintaining safety and structural integrity. By selecting screws with appropriate shear and tensile strengths, engineers can ensure that the joints they create will perform reliably under expected loads and conditions.

Other factors, such as the environmental context or installer proficiency, may contribute to the overall selection process but do not hold the same weight in significance as the mechanical properties of the screws themselves.