Torx is the trademark name for a type of screw head or driver characterized by a 6-point star-shaped pattern that resist cam-out better than Phillips head or slot head (flathead) screws. Torx screws were initially found on things like automobiles, bicycle brake systems, hard disk drives, computer systems and consumer electronics, but are now becoming increasingly popular in construction industries.
When introduced, they were sometimes used in applications requiring tamper-resistance, since the screwdrivers were hard to find, but as drivers became more common, tamper-resistant variants, known as Security Torx, Tamper-Resistant Torx (often shortened to Torx TR) or pin-in-Torx were introduced that contain a post in the center of the head that prevents a standard Torx driver (or a straight screwdriver) from being inserted.
Pictures from www.carbasics.co.uk, www.gearwrench.com
When introduced, they were sometimes used in applications requiring tamper-resistance, since the screwdrivers were hard to find, but as drivers became more common, tamper-resistant variants, known as Security Torx, Tamper-Resistant Torx (often shortened to Torx TR) or pin-in-Torx were introduced that contain a post in the center of the head that prevents a standard Torx driver (or a straight screwdriver) from being inserted.
Pictures from www.carbasics.co.uk, www.gearwrench.com
