Plastic is used to create a variety of innovative inventions in which lighter, smaller, and cheaper drives the marketplace. However, there are some technological challenges with using this material, particularly as it relates to fastening solutions. Many regular screws are simply not usable when connecting plastic parts. This has led to the development of specialized screws for plastics. At ITW Shakeproof Industrial, we are your source for the screws you need for fastening plastic materials, including plastic thread forming screw options.
The use of standard self-tapping screws when fastening plastics can cause various assembly issues. Plastic material is subject to bursting due to stress build up when assembled using these types of screws.
Achieving Optimal Screw Performance
Fasteners designed specifically for use in plastic materials, such as the plastic thread forming screw, can achieve enhanced performance. These performance benefits include:
- Higher resistance to loosening
- Increased strip-out torque values
- Greater pull-out values
Thread Forming Screws for Plastic
Thread forming screws are screws that change the configuration of the base material in order to develop their own threads. These screws deform a significant amount of plastic as they are driven into the material. This generates a high level of resistance against back-out and it also produces high concentrations of stress in the material. This can lead to failure in harder plastics.
Threaded teeth are often ideal for use in thermoplastics. The threads of a plastic thread forming screw fit snugly as the plastic which is displaced to form the threads travels back to the roots of the threads.
Thread forming screws for plastic include a cutting-edge that displaces the plastic material. The teeth are designed with a small flank angle that increases the surface area and lessens the mounting torque, which leads to a greater pulling force. These screws are ideal for use in manufacturing. They can be used without the need for inserts or nuts and provide strong resistance to pullout due to the way in which they cut into the material.
For information about the plastic thread forming screw options we offer at ITW Shakeproof Industrial, call us today at 920.261.2652 or complete our contact form.
