What are the characteristics of screw fasteners that self-tap?

Screw fasteners that self-tap are designed to create threads in the material they are being driven into, allowing them to secure components together without the need for pre-formed threads. This characteristic makes them particularly useful for applications where speed and efficiency are important, as they can rapidly penetrate the material and maintain a secure hold.

Self-tapping screws work by having a sharp point and cutting threads along the shank, which enables them to carve out the necessary thread profile as they are inserted. This ability eliminates the necessity of pre-drilling holes, which enhances their versatility in various applications, especially in softer materials like plastic or wood.

While they can also be used in metal applications, there are considerations regarding the thickness and type of metal. Therefore, stating they are unsuitable for metal would be misleading, as there are specific self-tapping screws designed for that purpose. Temporary fixes often depend on the application and the design of the assembly rather than the characteristics of self-tapping screws. Thus, the defining feature remains their capability to create threads in the components they are driven into.