In fact, self-tapping screws are used in every field of activity. This type of fastening is the most practical fastening element for use on various surfaces: wood, plasterboard or even metal.

And if it is easy to work with wood and self-tapping drywall, because they have a soft structure, then everything is not so easy with metal. Metal is a harder material and not all self-tapping screws are able to handle it.

 

Construction of self-tapping screws for metal

Specialized self-tapping screws are used to fasten sheet metal. The difference between these self-tapping screws is that they have a finer thread, which allows them to be securely fixed in solid material. Another strong distinguishing feature is the large thickness of the body of the self-tapping screw and the high hardness of the material, which does not allow the product to deform when screwing.

Types of self-tapping screws for metal:

• By type of head - hexagonal, semicircular, recessed, trapezoidal, with press washers or EPDM gaskets. (manufactured according to GOST 27017-86)
• by type of slot - torx, Ph, Pz, anti-vandal. (manufactured according to GOST 27017-86)
• according to the type of tip - sharp and with a drill
• according to the type of coating - galvanized and phosphated

 

The main types of self-tapping screws for metal

Self-tapping screws with a press washer

A high-quality self-tapping screw with a press washer can be determined by a trapezoidal head with a wide shoulder. The bulky head firmly grips the material, and the slot prevents the bit from slipping. Such self-tapping screws are made with a tip of two forms: Sharp - this self-tapping screw can fasten metal material (up to 0.9 mm thick) without additional drilling. Such products are suitable for professional installation, interior work. (DIN 968) With a drill - these self-tapping screws require pre-drilling a hole, but their advantage is that you can fasten material up to 5 mm thick.  (DIN 7504)

 

Self-tapping screws for metal profiles

A self-tapping screw for metal profiles is a product with a sharp end or a drill bit and a full thread. The head of such a self-tapping screw has the shape of a truncated cone on which there is a cross-shaped slot. A notch can be applied under the head, which will act as a stopper.   A self-tapping screw with a sharp end drills metal up to 0.9 mm thick, and with a drill bit up to 2 mm (STITCHER)

 

Roofing screws

These self-tapping screws are intended for exterior work, such as fastening roofing materials to metal structures and wood. The fastener is additionally equipped with an EPDM washer, which seals the hole. Such fastening is preferably painted to match the color of the roof, and the coating additionally protects the self-tapping screw from corrosion. Self-tapping screws for the roof with a sharp end are designed for fastening a soft roof to a wooden base, with a reduced drill bit - for wooden latticework, with an increased one - for fixing corrugated board to a metal base. (DIN 7504 T)

 

Black self-tapping screws for attaching plasterboard to metal

Self-tapping screws for drywall are selected according to the material to which it will be attached - metal or wood. Self-tapping screws for a metal profile have tips for a drill and a small thread, and if we talk about self-tapping screws for wood, everything is the opposite - the tip is pointed, and the thread is more elongated.

 

Stainless self-tapping screws for metal

Such hardware is used for external installation or assembly of structures in wet rooms. They are used for sheathing with sheet metal.

 

 

How to choose a suitable self-tapping screw for metal

If we talk about the choice of self-tapping screws with a press washer, it is worth paying attention to their head. If the head of the self-tapping screw is more rounded, most likely such a self-tapping screw is not very reliable and the price for it will be more attractive. A high-quality self-tapping screw with a press washer has a trapezoidal head.

• Self-tapping screws for the profile - their head is a beveled cone, the slot is only cross-shaped. A notch can be applied under the head and acts as a stopper. Despite its relatively small size, this self-tapping screw drills material with a thickness of up to 0.9 mm.

Before ordering roofing fasteners, experts recommend considering several factors. The following are the main factors affecting the choice of roof fasteners:

1. roof material (wood, metal structures, tiles, polycarbonate);
2. sheet thickness;
3. climatic zone (amount of precipitation, temperature regime, amount of sunlight, other atmospheric conditions);
4. for which works do you need self-tapping screws (external, internal);
5. what color is the coating

 

Areas of use of metal screws

    Self-tapping screws are excellent for use with metals, various types of plastics, as well as cast and forged materials such as iron, aluminum, brass or bronze. In general, they are used in cast and forged materials, such as iron, aluminum, brass or bronze.
Self-tapping screws with a sharp end are ideal for metal and wood, they clean the hole from excess material on their own.
    Self-tapping screws are ideal for combinning of two different mothers and for fastening in a place where access is only from one side.

Installation features

Self-tapping screws for metal are widely used due to ease of installation. To install such a mount, you will need nothing but a screwdriver, but there are some limitations:

• Metal thickness: up to 2 mm for self-tapping screws with a drill, up to 1 mm for self-tapping screws with a sharp end.
• If the material is thicker, then the hole must be prepared in advance: drill a hole in both elements that are fastened together, in the upper element the hole should be slightly larger than the diameter of the self-tapping screw.