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Self-tapping screws are those that can form their own threads as they are driven into the material. Plastic requires a specially designed thread profile as tapping screws used with steel can result in residual stresses in the plastic that can degrade the structural integrity of the assembly. Plastic screws give you more flexibility and quickly assemble components with fewer fasteners. When looking into self-tapping screws, the first step is to decide what type of self-tapping screws are best suited for the application. Thread-forming and thread-cutting are the two categories self-tapping screws are classified into. Below is a brief description of each category.
- All you do is drill a hole, attach the tap, and screw the connector onto your pipe, which cuts the pipe and attaches your new pipe to the mains easy! However, you can only use one of these kits if you have copper pipes. Unfortunately, my water pipes are plastic so I had to find a different way of connecting my tap.
- Flexible Tap Saddles. The faster & less costly way to make sewer main connections. One Fernco Saddle will fit and 6” and larger sewer mains. Available for all 4” or 6” plastic or cast iron drain pipe inlets in tee or wye configurations.
The self tapping in waste kit is a self-cutting clamp tool for 32mm and 40mm pipe work. Connects easily into any existing plastic waste pipe. Connect a copper waterline pipe to PVC using a plastic pipe and a barbed fitting. Select a small piece of plastic pipe that will push over the copper water line and fit snugly. Cutting taps are more versatile, as the geometry of the tool can be altered to match the characteristics of the material being tapped. They are not limited to the materials suiting a form tap. Materials like Cast Iron and Phenolic Plastics, which are not candidates for forming, can be addressed with a Cutting Tap.
Thread-Forming Screws
When you are using a thread-forming screw, you will get a very secure fit. Thread-forming screws produce little waste as the plastic that is displaced to create the thread relaxes back into the root of the thread. This attribute is one of the reasons why a thread-forming screw would be chosen over thread-cutting. Thread-forming screws, generally, function best in thermoplastics. This is due to the spring back function of the material to fill voids created by the screw.
Thread-Cutting Screws
These screws actually remove material because they have cutting edges. In general, thread-cutting screws can be used for both thermoplastics and thermosets without issue. Each application can result in a different screw being recommended, so a review of each application should be done. Thread-cutting screws have a smaller flank angle to reduce instillation torque while increasing surface area which results in a higher pullout force.
ecosyn®-plast is a great option for a thread-cutting screw for plastic. These screws are designed differently than tapping screws because they are designed to easily penetrate the material without causing stress to the material. Check out some advantages of ecosyn®-plast:
- Low driving torque and high stripping torque
- High breaking torque and tensile strength of the screw
- Excellent security against vibration
- Low risk for cracking the base material
- No setting of the assembly due to excessive relaxation of the plastic material
If you have questions about self-tapping screws for plastic or need help in deciding on a fastener, contact us at [email protected]. Our experts can help you get the materials you need for a successful project. We are also prepared to provide you with technical advice and we can even provide field-related assembly tests for you in our laboratory to help with application technique.
Tapping PE pipe is easier than many other types of pipe. We make Inserta Tees for PE solid wall, corrugated, and profile wall. To date there is no PE Sewer or Storm pipe we cannot tap. Corrugated PE pipe: we produce Inserta Tees for every manufacture of this type of pipe in a variety of connections fro any type of corrugated plastic pipe. Call us with your specific application, 503-357-2110.
Self Cutting Tap For Plastic Pipe Clamps
Solid wall HDPE pipe: there are only two good ways to tap this pipe. Electro fusion saddles can provide a very good connection. The downside is they are expensive with a difficult and time consuming installation. Many people use saddles on this pipe which is a very bad idea. HDPE expands and contracts at a higher rate than most other pipes. It never stays the same so a fixed saddle is either too tight or too lose. Inserta Tees have a large real rubber sealing sleeve that accommodates the expansion and contraction. We seal the hole but allow the pipe to relieve itself. Our product can be smoke or air tested.
Profile PE Pipe: This pipe is popular in larger sizes. It is difficult to tap using anything other than an Inserta Tee. We can accommodate any size including large, 72” diameter pipes or manholes.
Self Cutting Tap For Plastic Pipe Sizes
Hole Saws: We produce special hole saws that are deep enough to core the thick walls, retain the coupons, and drill all the way through in one effort.