In this particular article however, I am going to touch primarily on metric thread-forming screw. These are a type of screw that forms the material or substrate around a hole until it wraps around the screw threads. Contrary to other screws, they do not remove any part or component from the engage section.

1. Industry applications - metric thread-forming screws
Metric fasteners play a vital role in various industry applications. They are being used in
many manufacturing facilities across different sectors, including construction, wood
working, aerospace, and electronic device manufacturing works.
In this particular article however, I am going to touch primarily on metric thread-forming
screw. These are a type of screw that forms the material or substrate around a hole until it
wraps around the screw threads. Contrary to other screws, they do not remove any part or
component from the engage section.
How do thread-forming screws work?
In layman’s term, thread-forming screws force the substrate or the material to mate with
their threads. The process is similar to thread-cutting screws (thread-cutting screw removes
bits of the material) but it just deforms the substrate, by bending it into a mating position
without removing any of the engaged section.
Metric thread-forming screw applications
Metric thread-forming screws can be used in various types of materials, including the
following:
Metal or metallic materials – they can be used in a number of metal materials such
as tabular steel, sheet steel, non-ferrous and light metal; the can be used multiple
times (repeated use).
Nylon and plastic – those made of non-metallic materials including acetal,
polycarbonate, PVC, and polypropylene.
Wood or wooden material – there are also thread-forming screws that can be used
specifically to wood-working, such as in furniture and in construction (e.g. M78007 –
KA18X5 PT Oval Head Steel Zinc WN1412)
Some notable advantages of thread-forming screws
It reduces driving torques
Enhances resistance to thread stripping
Improves pullout strength
Lessens the risk of cracking the work piece
Screw point types in thread-forming screws
The type C point – this is ideal for heavy sheet metal and die casting; this application
requires a higher driving torque; it eliminates chips and allows replacement with
standard screw in the field.
The type CA point – this is similar to type c; the difference is a Gimlet point. It should
be noted that the locating point works better than type c, where misalignment of
homes between two adjoining pieces of sheet metal is common.
The Lo-Driv – this is a thread forming screw in mostly coarse machine screw threads;
the point and body design need low end-load for starting and low drive torque for
seating. Furthermore, the full 360 degree body above the point gives high quality
strip-to-drive ratios.
The tri-round – this is a thread forming screw in mostly coarse machine screw. The 3
vertexes perform a roll-forming process to form mating threads. This effectively
provides a much better thread forming as opposed to the previous two types (C and
CA point). In addition, this type does not require a higher driving torque.
Authored by Riza Deshpande – web content writer that shares industry and manufacturing-related topics,
including thread-forming screws and other fasteners. For more on metric fastener topics,
visit: http://www.mrmetric.com/articles/