Choosing the right self-drilling screw

What is a self-drilling screw?

The self-drilling screw allows the assembly of sheets of modest thickness, with low stresses. A self-drilling screw eliminates the need for pointing, drilling and tapping.

The assembly of sheets can then be carried out without pre-drilling (before the hole), which generates significant time savings.

For high stresses (heavy loads, heavy machinery), we recommend bolting.

THE BENEFITS

  • No need for drilling or tapping tools

  • No scoring

  • No offset between the two holes in parts to be joined

  • No need for additional safety features

  • High drilling performance

  • High process security

  • Self-drilling screws drill their own pilot hole and form their own thread

  • Material time savings estimated at over 50%.

  • Self-drilling screws are installed using electric or variable speed screwdrivers.

  • The correct speed of rotation is essential, the recommended speed is between 1000-2000 rpm, and the mounting pressure between 150 and 200 N.

  • When screwing into difficult materials, the speed of rotation must be assessed by prior testing.

Choosing the material for the self-drilling machine

Steel or aluminium sheet

  • Zinc-plated steel

  • Bi-metal (steel/aluminium)

  • AISI 410 (steel/aluminium)

Aluminium sheet

  • STAINLESS STEEL A2

Choose the footprint

  • PHILLIPS : Standard

  • HEXAGONAL: High torque

  • SQUARE: High torque

  • good grip on the tip

  • 6 LOBES: High torque

  • very good grip on the tip

SPEED AND TORQUE

SELF-DRILLING SCREWS IN GALVANISED STEEL

  • High drilling capacity: for sheet steel and aluminium

 

  • Low corrosion resistance: dry, non-corrosive environment required

 

  • Screws with a good quality/price ratio: beware of the risk of delayed breakage

  • (risk of hydrogen embrittlement)

 

  • PHILLIPS impression, square and 6 lobes (Torx)

 

  • Cylindrical, countersunk or hexagonal head

  • Assembly with an electric screwdriver (no pneumatic)

SELF-DRILLING SCREWS IN A2 STAINLESS STEEL

  • Moderate drilling capacity: exclusively for aluminium sheet

 

  • Good corrosion resistance: low corrosive environments

 

  • Phillips, square and 6 lobes (Torx)

 

  • Cylindrical, milled or hexagonal head

  • Assembly with an electric screwdriver (no pneumatic)

SELF-DRILLING BI-METAL SCREWS

  • A heat-treated steel tip

  • A2 stainless steel threads and head

 

  • High drilling capacity: for steel and aluminium sheets

 

  • Good corrosion resistance

 

  • Protection with Silver Ruspert coating

 

  • Countersunk or hexagonal head

 

  • 6-lobed recess (Torx)

  • Assembly with an electric screwdriver (no pneumatic)