Self-tapping screws are one of the most important types of commercial fasteners in use today. The reasons for their success lie on their characteristics of versatility, handiness and reliability. Although exist various types and styles of self-tapping screws that perform specific fastening jobs, a common feature is the ability to advance through a material (metal, plastic, wood) while turning.
Self-tapping screws are featured by a sharp tip, cutting edges and chip cavities that are able to tap the mating thread by removing material from the surface they are driven into.
Self-tapping screws require a pilot hole, slightly smaller than the diameter of the screws, in order to apply them on metal sheets.
That enables self-tapping screws to fit the mating thread closely, with no clearance, while keeping the connections tight even when subject to vibrations.
Anyway, the diameter of the hole has to be adequately wide to prevent the driving in of the screw causes the thread stripping while jeopardizing the strength of the connection.
Self-tapping screws are generally manufactured in steel or stainless steel that offers a balanced combination of strength, durability and resistance to corrosion. However, further metal coatings, such as zinc plating, can be applied to enhance their anticorrosive performances.
Moreover, self-tapping screws are often submitted to a hardening process that gives them a higher tensile strength along with a relatively high ultimate torsional strength.
Even though self-tapping screws can be used to fasten all sorts of materials, including wood, fibreglass, and bricks, they are largely employed to connect metal part in steel, aluminium, cast iron and to secure hard plastics.
Also, self-tapping screws are particularly suited for applications where precision is essential.
Indeed, because of their shape, self-tapping screws do not tend to alter the structural integrity of the material they fastened into. In addition, they are particularly convenient when the application can be carried out from only one side of the joint.
Moreover, self-tapping screws enable the continual assembling and disassembling of the material they are fastened into, thus making them suitable to be applied in products that require regular maintenance.

With fifty years of experience in the sector and over 70,000 references in stock VIPA is a leading supplier of screws, bolts and fastening systems.
Its qualified staff is always available to support clients throughout the purchase process, supporting them in the choice of the most suitable products, according to the various needs.