Phillips screwdrivers have a tip designed with what angle?

Phillips screwdrivers have a tip designed with what angle?

• A. 30 degrees
• B. 45 degrees
• C. 60 degrees
• D. 90 degrees

Answer: (A)

Phillips tips are cut with flanks at about 30 degrees. This specific angle creates a snug fit in normal driving, but as torque increases, the angled surfaces tend to ride against the screw walls and cause the driver to cam out a bit. That controlled slipping helps prevent over-tightening and reduces the chance of stripping the screw head. If the angle were much bigger or smaller, the tip wouldn’t align properly with the cross recess and wouldn’t produce the same cam-out behavior or would bind more easily.

Phillips tips are cut with flanks at about 30 degrees. This specific angle creates a snug fit in normal driving, but as torque increases, the angled surfaces tend to ride against the screw walls and cause the driver to cam out a bit. That controlled slipping helps prevent over-tightening and reduces the chance of stripping the screw head. If the angle were much bigger or smaller, the tip wouldn’t align properly with the cross recess and wouldn’t produce the same cam-out behavior or would bind more easily.