Self-tapping screws create threads on their own as they enter into a material such as plastic. In fact, self-tapping screws with a special profile are required since the tapping screws commonly used with steel can cause residual stresses in plastic that can reduce the structural reliability of the assembly. At ITW Shakeproof Industrial, we are your source for thread forming and thread cutting self-tapping screws.
It is essential to determine the right self-tapping screw for a plastic material application. There are two categories of self-tapping screws – thread forming and thread cutting. The type of plastic the screw is to fasten into – thermoset or thermoplastic – will help determine the best type of self-tapping screw to use.
Thread Forming Screws
Thread forming screws work better in thermoplastic as opposed to thermoset materials. During installation, thread forming screws do not produce waste. The plastic displaced during insertion which produces the thread relocates into the root of the thread, generating a secure,tight fit.
One type of thread forming screws are Taptite self-tapping screws that shift the material around the screw under elastic recovery. However, Taptite screws are used for metal substrates.
The key thread forming screws we offer for plastic substrate material include Plastite, BosScrew, Hi-Lo, and Hi-Lo Plus. We also offer GripTide thread forming inserts, which provide better quality, performance, and cost than brass inserts.
When installing thread forming screws into a plastic substrate, a pilot hole is required since these screws do not have a pointed tip. The thread engagement (amount of overlap) and thread profile are vital due to the flow of displaced plastic around the screw heads.
The installation of thread forming screws results in material deformation, but not its remove. This results in high internal stress and for this reason thread forming screws are only appropriate for use in soft polymers that have a lower flexural modulus.
We also have limited key thread-cutting screws available which you can ask our team about.
For all of your thread forming and thread cutting screw needs, look no further than our selection at ITW Shakeproof Industrial.
To learn about the thread forming and thread cutting self-tapping screws we offer, including TEKS self-tapping screws for metal, give us a call today at 920.261.2652 or use our contact form to leave us a message.
