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The introduction of the original TAPTITE^® fastener elevated the application of thread forming screws, resulting in the term high performance thread rolling screws. Here, Research Engineering & Manufacturing Inc (REMINIC) looks at both types of screws and their differences.

Both thread rolling and thread forming designations are used interchangeably in our industry, but what’s the difference? Thread forming describes the process of creating a thread both internally and externally. In fastener parlance, screws that create their own internal threads are often called thread forming screws; however, that class is made up of thread cutting, thread forming and thread rolling.

Thread cutting screws remove material and create real metal chips in the process. Thread forming screws can be Type AB, Type B, etc. (commonly called self-tapping screws) that create an internal thread by displacing material but typically are driven into thin sheet metal where the metal simply changes shape.

Thread rolling screws create an internal thread, like how a thread rolling tap would function. These definitions are not universal; therefore, they are often used interchangeably and can cause confusion. For example, a Type AB screw used in sheet metal or a light metal alloy is sometimes referred to as a thread forming screw, not a thread rolling screw like TAPTITE^® that creates more clearly defined and cleaner internal threads.

There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ here. REMINC primarily uses high performance thread rolling when referring to TAPTITE designs and thread forming when referring to PLASTITE and REMFORM products.