Torx

Torx (pronounced /tɔːrks/) is a trademark for a type of <a href="/facts/Screw_drive/xLLCffFq">screw drive</a> characterized by a 6-point star-shaped pattern, developed in 1967 by Camcar <a href="/facts/Textron/eQGoTB5U">Textron</a>. A popular generic name for the drive is star, as in star screwdriver or star bits. The official generic name, standardized by the <a href="/facts/International_Organization_for_Standardization/IacYR7Yg">International Organization for Standardization</a> as ISO 10664, is hexalobular internal. This is sometimes abbreviated in databases and catalogs as 6lobe (starting with the numeral 6, not the capital letter G). Torx Plus, Torx Paralobe and Torx ttap are improved head profiles.
Torx screws are commonly found on <a href="/facts/Automobile/I1IsH8IK">automobiles</a>, <a href="/facts/Motorcycle/owLPEqSr">motorcycles</a>, <a href="/facts/Bicycle_brake_systems/Ub9gyTv3">bicycle brake systems</a> (<a href="/facts/Disc_brakes/J7WbXaxa">disc brakes</a>), <a href="/facts/Hard_disk_drives/kekLSGSE">hard disk drives</a>, <a href="/facts/Computer/SQe1aK05">computer</a> systems and <a href="/facts/Consumer_electronics/cJ8g9NXh">consumer electronics</a>. Initially, they were sometimes used in applications requiring <a href="/facts/Tamper_resistance/CvYnqsQh">tamper resistance</a>, since the drive systems and <a href="/facts/Screwdriver/vJrJRlPz">screwdrivers</a> were not widely available. However, as torx drivers became more common, tamper-resistant variants, as described below, were developed. Torx screws are also becoming increasingly popular in construction industries.

Torx open-in-new

Torx