What are self-tapping screws, and how do they work? Know More About Self-Tapping Screws!

A self tapping screw is one that can tap its own hole while being driven into the material. More specifically, the term "self-tapping" refers to a type of thread-cutting screw designed to produce a thread in relatively soft material or sheet materials, excluding wood screws. Self-drilling screws and thread rolling screws are two other types of self-tapping screws.

Self-tapping screws come in a variety of tip and thread patterns, and almost any screw head design is available. The screw thread covering the entire length of the screw from tip to head is a common feature, as is a pronounced thread hard enough for the intended substrate, often case-hardened.

Self-tapping ability is often created for hard substrates such as metal or hard plastics by cutting a gap in the continuity of the thread on the screw, resulting in a flute and cutting edge similar to those on a tap. Consequently, whereas a standard machine screw cannot tap its own hole in a metal substrate, a self-tapping one can (within reasonable limits of substrate hardness and depth).

For softer substrates like wood or soft plastics, self-tapping can be achieved simply by having a tip that tapers to a gimlet point (in which no flute is needed). The hole is formed by displacement of the surrounding material, similar to the tip of a nail or gimlet, rather than any chip-forming drilling/cutting/evacuating action.

Self-tapping screws do not all have a sharp tip. The type B tip is blunt and designed for use with a pilot hole, which is commonly found in sheet materials. The lack of a sharp tip is advantageous for packaging and handling, and it may be advantageous in some applications for reducing the clearance required on the reverse of a fastened panel or for making more thread available on a given length screw.

Self-tapping screws are classified into two types: thread-forming self-tapping screws, which displace material (especially plastic and thin metal sheets) without removing it, and thread-cutting self-tappers, which remove material as they are inserted.

Some self-tapping screws are also self-drilling, which means that, in addition to the tap-like flute in the leading threads, a preliminary drill-like fluted tip that resembles the tip of a center drill is present. These screws combine a threading-like action and the fastener installation into a single driving motion (rather than separate drilling, tapping, and installing motions), making them very efficient in a variety of hard-substrate applications ranging from assembly lines to roofing. Brands like Tek screw combine a self-drilling screw and a sealing washer to quickly stitch together, say, roofing sheets.

EJOT provides resilient and strong self-tapping screws. This is one of the best fastener manufacturers. It is a global professional in the area of fastening new tech and an Indian joint development joint venture partner of the EJOT Group of Companies. EJOT's main attributes are technical excellence, high-quality equipment, uniquely designed, and thoroughness.

EJOT self-tapping screws are accessible with fine or coarse pitch strands. The screw's bottom will also have a dog point or a rolled point depending on the required. An entirely voluntary or before sealing dryer can be used to complete these self-tapping screws. These self-tapping screws are multipurpose.