When determining which screw is best for the job, you have to consider the material it is being screwed into. You cannot universally plug and play different screw types into materials that are not meant to handle them.
For instance, on plastic materials, you would want to use a plastic thread-forming screw. Thread-forming screws for thin plastic have certain characteristics and offer benefits that other screw types cannot.
Thread Forming
A plastic-thread forming screw has certain traits and characteristics that makes it ideal. For starters, they are great for softer materials. Using the wrong screw can lead to damage such as chipping and cracking if too much force is applied.
There is also the fact that this screw type can self-lock. That creates a sturdier support and greater stability throughout the workpiece. The only downside of using these screws is that there is increased radial stress, which can wear down the screws over time.
Advantages of Thread-Forming Screws for Plastic
There are, of course, several major benefits to using a plastic thread-forming screw for your next project. For starters, it requires less tightening torque, allowing you to create a more secure connection without having to add a ton of torque.
For stiffer and softer materials, where cracking and breaking can become commonplace, thread-forming screws not only securely go into the surface but do so without doing damage to it. Self-forming screws will become commonplace in many of your projects.
