Headed Shear Studs Engineered for Load You Can Trust
Precision cold-headed shear studs manufactured to AWS D1.1, EN ISO 13918, and ASTM A29 tolerances — delivering the consistent bond strength composite steel and concrete structures depend on, batch after batch.
What Are Headed Shear Studs?
A headed shear stud is a cold-headed steel fastener with an enlarged circular head, welded directly to a steel beam or plate through the arc stud welding process. The head geometry locks into the surrounding concrete once the slab is poured, creating a mechanical interlock that transfers shear force between the steel section and the concrete deck.
Because the weld is fused at the base rather than bolted or riveted, the connection carries load in both directions without loosening under vibration or cyclic stress — which is exactly why composite floor systems, bridge decks, and steel-concrete structures specify headed studs as the primary shear connector.
Every stud head is cold-forged to a precise diameter-to-shank ratio, so it embeds fully into the concrete pour and develops the full mechanical anchorage the design calculation assumes — no under-sized heads slipping through inspection.
Each stud is fused to the base plate through drawn-arc or short-cycle welding, producing a 360° weld collar with no cold lap or porosity — so the connection resists fatigue loading over the structure's full service life.
Base diameter, shank length, and head dimensions are held within ±0.3mm across every production batch — giving your structural engineer the confidence to specify a single stud grade across the entire project without re-verification.
Need help matching stud dimensions to your structural drawing?
Talk to Our EngineersWhy Headed Shear Studs Matter
A shear stud is a small component carrying a disproportionate share of structural risk. When the composite action it provides is compromised, the entire floor or deck design is compromised with it. Here is what a properly manufactured stud actually delivers to your project.
By locking the steel beam and concrete slab into a single structural unit, correctly welded studs let designers reduce steel section size — cutting material cost without cutting load capacity.
A full-penetration weld collar with no porosity absorbs repeated live-load cycling from traffic, machinery, or seismic movement — so the connection keeps performing decades after the concrete has cured.
Consistent head height and weld collar dimensions mean bend testing and visual inspection pass on the first attempt — protecting your project schedule from costly re-welding or remediation cycles.
Studs manufactured to AWS D1.1 or EN ISO 13918 dimensional and mechanical requirements let your structural submission clear authority review without additional certification requests.
Don't let a shear connector become the weak link in your structural design.
Get a Factory-Direct QuoteHeaded Shear Stud Series
From standard structural applications to corrosive or high-load environments, our headed shear stud range covers the material grade and geometry your project specification calls for.
Our highest-volume series, cold-headed from low-carbon steel for standard composite floor and roof deck systems — the reliable default specification for steel structure projects worldwide.
- Diameter13–25mm
- Length50–300mm
- StandardAWS D1.1 Type B
Manufactured to European dimensional and mechanical requirements for projects that specify EN certification — supplied with full mill certificates for authority submission.
- Diameter16–22mm
- Length75–200mm
- StandardEN ISO 13918
Cold-headed from 304 or 316L stainless steel for marine platforms, wastewater structures, and coastal infrastructure where carbon steel corrosion would compromise long-term shear capacity.
- Diameter13–19mm
- Length50–150mm
- GradeSS304 / SS316L
Oversized shank and head geometry engineered for high-rise composite columns, heavy rail bridge girders, and industrial platforms carrying above-standard shear demand per connector.
- Diameter22–32mm
- Length100–300mm
- StandardAWS D1.1 / ASTM A29
Capacitor-discharge welded studs for thin steel decking and light structural applications where drawn-arc heat input would distort the base material.
- Diameter10–16mm
- Length25–100mm
- Weld TypeCapacitor Discharge
Custom head diameter, shank length, or material grade produced to your engineering drawing — with first-article samples and dimensional reports before bulk production begins.
- DiameterCustom
- LengthCustom
- Lead Time7–14 Days Sample
Not sure which series matches your structural specification?
Request Product Recommendation Download Full CatalogueTechnical Specifications
Precise dimensional and mechanical data lets your engineering team specify the correct stud on the first purchase order — no back-and-forth, no guesswork.
| Nominal Diameter | Standard Length Range | Head Diameter | Head Height | Min. Tensile Strength | Applicable Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13mm (1/2") | 50 – 150mm | 25mm | 8mm | 450 N/mm² | AWS D1.1 / EN ISO 13918 |
| 16mm (5/8") | 65 – 200mm | 29mm | 10mm | 450 N/mm² | AWS D1.1 / EN ISO 13918 |
| 19mm (3/4") | 75 – 250mm | 32mm | 10mm | 450 N/mm² | AWS D1.1 / EN ISO 13918 |
| 22mm (7/8") | 100 – 300mm | 36mm | 12mm | 450 N/mm² | AWS D1.1 / ASTM A29 |
| 25mm (1") | 100 – 300mm | 41mm | 12mm | 450 N/mm² | AWS D1.1 / ASTM A29 |
American Welding Society structural code covering geometry, mechanical properties, and weld procedure qualification for headed studs.
European standard for welding studs and ceramic ferrules, required for structural submissions under EN certification frameworks.
Material specification governing the carbon and alloy steel bar stock used as raw material in stud manufacturing.
Conformité Européenne marking confirming compliance with applicable European health, safety, and performance directives.
Need the full dimensional datasheet or a mill test certificate sample?
Request Spec Sheet Download Test CertificatesMaterial & Manufacturing
A shear stud is only as reliable as the steel bar it starts from and the process that shapes it. Every stage of our production — from raw material intake to final packing — is built to remove variability before it ever reaches your site.
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Certified Low-Carbon Steel Bar Stock
Raw material is sourced to ASTM A29 chemistry requirements and verified for composition before it enters production — so mechanical performance is never a surprise at the tensile test stage.
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Cold Heading to Net Shape
Studs are cold-forged rather than machined, preserving the steel's grain flow through the head — a structural advantage that gives cold-headed studs higher shear capacity than a machined equivalent.
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In-House Threading & Finishing
CNC threading, chamfering, and surface finishing happen on our own floor rather than through subcontracted vendors — keeping every dimensional tolerance under a single accountable roof.
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Batch Traceability by Heat Number
Every stud can be traced back to its originating steel heat, so if a question ever arises on site, we can pull the exact material record within hours, not weeks.
Bar stock verified for chemistry and surface condition on arrival.
Multi-station forming presses the head and shank to net dimension.
CNC threading and surface treatment applied where the spec requires it.
Automated gauging checks every critical dimension against drawing.
Batches labelled with heat number and packed for export-ready shipment.
Want to verify our raw material and process controls before your first order?
Request Material Certificates Schedule a Factory VisitWelding Performance
A shear stud's structural value is only realized at the moment it's welded. We engineer every stud's base geometry and flux configuration around the arc characteristics that produce a full-penetration, porosity-free weld collar — on your equipment, not just ours.
Base-tip geometry and integrated flux are dimensioned to strike a stable arc within the correct lift height window — reducing arc blow and inconsistent fusion across different welding gun brands.
Correct base diameter-to-flange ratio produces a complete 360° fillet with no cold lap, so the finished weld passes bend testing without secondary re-welding on site.
Aluminium flux ball deoxidization keeps the molten weld pool clean during arc collapse, preventing the gas porosity that causes visual inspection failures and weakens fatigue life.
| Stud Diameter | Weld Current | Weld Time | Lift Height | Plunge Depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13mm | 1300–1500A | 0.45–0.55s | 2.0–2.5mm | 3.0mm |
| 16mm | 1500–1700A | 0.55–0.65s | 2.5–3.0mm | 3.5mm |
| 19mm | 1700–1900A | 0.65–0.75s | 2.5–3.0mm | 4.0mm |
| 22mm | 1900–2100A | 0.75–0.85s | 3.0–3.5mm | 4.0mm |
| 25mm | 2100–2300A | 0.85–0.95s | 3.0–3.5mm | 4.5mm |
Facing porosity or deflection issues with your current stud supplier?
Get Welding Parameter SupportApplications Across Industries
Headed shear studs appear wherever steel and concrete need to act as one structural system — here is where our products are currently at work.
Tell us your application and we'll confirm the right stud series for it.
Discuss Your ProjectQuality Assurance
We don't rely on a single end-of-line check. Every headed shear stud passes through five documented inspection gates before it's cleared for packing — so defects are caught on our floor, not on your job site.
Chemical composition and surface condition verified against ASTM A29 before production starts.
Automated gauging monitors head diameter, shank length, and taper during cold heading.
Tensile, proof load, and bend testing performed on samples from every production batch.
Sample studs are welded and bent to 30° to confirm weld collar integrity before batch release.
Final count, packaging integrity, and documentation bundle reviewed before container sealing.
Want to review our inspection records before placing your trial order?
Request QC Reports Schedule Factory AuditStandards & Certifications
Your structural submission needs paperwork that stands up to authority review, not a marketing claim. Every headed shear stud batch we ship is backed by documentation that traces material, process, and test result back to a verifiable source.
- Mill test certificates with heat number traceability
- Dimensional inspection reports per batch
- Tensile, proof load & bend test certificates
- Third-party lab verification available on request
- Certificate of Origin & full export documentation
American Welding Society structural code covering headed stud geometry and welding procedure qualification.
European standard for welding studs and ceramic ferrules used in structural steel certification frameworks.
Material specification governing the carbon and alloy steel bar stock used as raw material in our studs.
Conformité Européenne marking confirming compliance with applicable European safety and performance directives.
Need a specific certificate for your project submission before you order?
Request Certification Package Download Compliance SummaryYour Spec.
Our Cold-Heading Line.
When a project calls for a diameter, length, or material grade outside our standard catalogue, our engineering team builds the tooling and runs a sample batch to your exact drawing — so the stud your structural design calls for is the stud that actually ships.
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Non-Standard Diameters & Lengths
Custom stud dimensions from 6mm to 32mm diameter, produced to first-article sample approval before bulk tooling commitment.
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Special Material Grades
Stainless steel, high-strength alloy, or specific chemistry produced to match your structural engineer's material callout.
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Custom Head Geometry
Non-standard head diameter or thickness engineered for uplift or shear conditions beyond catalogue-standard design tables.
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Rapid Sample Turnaround
Engineering samples with full dimensional reports dispatched within 7–14 business days of drawing confirmation.
Share your specification for engineering feasibility review.
First-article samples produced with dimensional inspection report.
Once samples are approved, tooling is locked for production.
Shipment with full certification and post-delivery technical support.
Have a non-standard shear stud requirement? Send us your drawing.
Submit OEM Inquiry Download OEM CapabilitiesWhy Choose ZOC Industrial
Sourcing shear studs from China means navigating a market where marketing photos rarely match factory reality. Twenty years inside this exact supply chain lets us close that gap for you.
20+ years inside China's stud welding supply chain means we know each facility's real capability, mold precision, and QC discipline — and route your order to the one built for it.
We act as your eyes on the production floor, monitoring output against your technical requirement so quality and quantity match the purchase order — not just the sample you were shown.
Our trade team runs independently of the factory, giving you pricing at near-zero markup over a mill-direct purchase, plus the export documentation a local mill can't provide.
We take full responsibility for every shipment rather than deflecting to the factory — the same team that quoted your order is the one who resolves it if anything needs attention.
Ready to work with a partner who takes ownership of every shipment?
Start a ConversationProject Cases
Real procurement problems our headed shear studs have solved for engineering and construction teams across different markets.
Inconsistent stud height after welding was causing slab thickness deviations and failed inspections across three floors.
We supplied AWS D1.1-compliant headed studs held to ±0.3mm tolerance with on-site welding parameter guidance. Every subsequent inspection passed without remediation.
The specification required EN ISO 13918 Grade S235J2 studs, but the local distributor could only supply non-certified stock.
Fully certified shear connectors with mill certificates and third-party test reports arrived within 18 days, letting the project pass authority submission without revision.
Standard carbon steel studs were corroding within two years in the salt-air environment, weakening the shear connection.
We supplied 316L stainless studs with matching ceramic ferrules. Follow-up inspection at 24 months confirmed zero measurable corrosion at the weld collar.
Share your drawing or specification and our technical team will confirm the right stud type, grade, and certification path at no cost to you.
Have a specific technical requirement not covered here?
Ask a Technical QuestionGet Your Headed Shear Stud Quote Today
Send us your diameter, length, quantity, and destination — our engineering team will respond with pricing, lead time, and any technical recommendation within one business day. No commitment required for a quotation.
Fill in your requirements — we'll respond with pricing and lead time within one business day.