What is a self-tapping screw?

It is easy to confuse self-tapping screws and self-drilling screws. Self-tapping screws do not integrate a drill in the screw. Some types of self-tapping screws need to drill a pilot hole before they can be driven into the material.

Thread forming: Before using these screws, you need to drill a pilot hole first, because the screw itself does not have a pointed tip. Threaded screws are usually used to connect plastic materials together.

Due to their design, they usually grip the material more tightly. Care should be taken because the screws may be over-tightened, which may cause the connected material to crack due to pressure.

Tapping: These screws do not require pilot holes, but one can be drilled to make fastening easier. Remember to make the pilot hole smaller than the diameter of the tapping screw.

The tapping screw removes material and creates a path for the screw. The disadvantage of using this type of screw is that the thread may fall off when the screw is removed. If the thread falls off, a larger tapping screw should be used when reconnecting.

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Self-tapping screws

The blunt and flat-head tapping screw requires a pilot hole that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw to be formed before it can be screwed into the material with a screwdriver. Pointed tapping screws do not require pilot holes. The act of screwing in the screw will cause the self-tapping screw to cut the thread into the material and hold the material together. Self-tapping screws are usually used to fix wood, plastic, metal and bricks together.

Common types of self-tapping screws:

Hexagon head tapping screws

Galvanized and passivated hardened steel self-drilling screws have all the advantages associated with standard self-tapping screws, but can drill their own pilot holes in metal plates with a thickness of no more than 5mm.

The following method should always be used to install self-drilling screws: power drive, so it is particularly suitable for fast production environments.

They can be used for light and heavy metal plates, soft plastics, etc., are heating and air conditioning, metal and Ideal for the glass fiber manufacturing industry. Galvanized hexagonal tapping screws according to DIN 7504.

Countersunk or flat head self-drilling screws

Since the head of the screw is located below the surface of the surrounding material, it can be leveled. This can achieve flat surface treatment and smooth results.

Flange head tapping screws

Usually used to connect metal to metal or plastic to plastic. Flange heads allow greater clamping torque than other types of heads.

Hexagon head/hex socket tapping screws

These screws have a hex head and are usually used by contractors in heavy applications that do not require a countersunk head.