Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Joining polymer parts with self-tapping screws: an improvement of the screw thread geometry

  • Original Research
  • Published:
International Journal of Material Forming Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the present article, the influence of the self-tapping screw’s geometry during the thread forming processes in polymer types used in several industries was studied and analysed using experimental measurement and the finite element method. A number of parameters, such as assembly, type of materials and geometry, were studied. Several commercial screw topologies were also studied, and it was demonstrated that the geometry of the self-tapping screws could be optimised. A new geometry was proposed and then compared against the commercial self-tapping screws. The proposed screw obtained a smaller installation torque and a greater stripping torque, which resulted in a greater clamp load in the self-tapping joining. The clamp load loss due to relaxation was reduced up to 10% compared to the best existing geometry.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14
Fig. 15
Fig. 16
Fig. 17
Fig. 18

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Jiang W, Sundarram SS, Wong D, Koo JH, Li W (2014) Polyetherimide nanocomposite foams as an ablative for thermal protection applications. Compos Part B Eng 58:559–565. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.10.040

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Mortazavian S, Fatemi A (2015) Fatigue behavior and modeling of short fiber reinforced polymer composites including anisotropy and temperature effects. Int J Fatigue 77:12–27. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2015.02.020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Mortazavian S, Fatemi A (2015) Fatigue behavior and modeling of short fiber reinforced polymer composites: a literature review. Int J Fatigue 70:297–321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2014.10.005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Launay A, Maitournam MH, Marco Y, Raoult I, Szmytka F (2011) Cyclic behaviour of short glass fibre reinforced polyamide: experimental study and constitutive equations. Int J Plast 27(8):1267–1293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijplas.2011.02.005

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  5. Seong DG, Kang C, Pak SY, Kim CH, Song YS (2019) Influence of fiber length and its distribution in three phase poly(propylene) composites. Compos Part B Eng 168:218–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.12.086

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Baird DG, Collias DI (2014) Polymer processing: principles and design, 2nd Editio. John Wiley & Sons

  7. Fakult T, Tome A, Fachgutachter E, et al (2000) Vorspannkraftrelaxation von Kunststoff-Direktverschraubungen

  8. Ehrenstein GW (2004) Handbuch Kunststoff-Verbindungstechnik. Hanser

  9. Technologies AG (2007) Threaded fasteners for plastics. Michigan

    Google Scholar 

  10. Dratschmidt F, Ehrenstein GW (1997) Threaded joints in glass fiber reinforced polyamide. Polym Eng Sci 37(4):744–755. https://doi.org/10.1002/pen.11718

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Seneviratne LD, Ngemoh FA, Earles SWE (2000) An experimental investigation of torque signature signals for self-tapping screws. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part C J Mech Eng Sci 214(2):399–410. https://doi.org/10.1243/0954406001523065

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Seneviratne LD, Ngemoh FA, Earles SWE, Althoefer KA (2001) Theoretical modelling of the self-tapping screw fastening process. Proc Inst Mech Eng Part C J Mech Eng Sci 215(2):135–154. https://doi.org/10.1243/0954406011520562

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Althoefer K, Lara B, Seneviratne LD (2005) Monitoring of self-tapping screw fastenings using artificial neural networks. J Manuf Sci Eng 127(1):236. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1831286

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Nassar SA, Housari BA (2007) Study of the effect of hole clearance and thread fit on the self-loosening of threaded fasteners. J Mech Des 129(6):586. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2717227

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Stéphan P, Mathurin F, Guillot J (2011) Analytical study of maximal tapping torque during forming screw process. J Mater Process Technol 211(2):212–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2010.09.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Stéphan P, Mathurin F, Guillot J (2012) Experimental study of forming and tightening processes with thread forming screws. J Mater Process Technol 212(4):766–775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2011.10.029

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Wu Z, Nassar SA, Jagatap S, Satav K (2016) Thread forming in lightweight material joints using self-tapping screws. J Manuf Sci Eng 138(9):091006. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4032972

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Mackerle J (2003) Finite element analysis of fastening and joining: a bibliography (1990-2002). Int J Press Vessel Pip 80(4):253–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0308-0161(03)00030-9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Kafie-Martinez J, Keating PB, Chakra-Varthy P, Correia J, de Jesus A (2018) Stress distributions and crack growth in riveted lap joints fastening thick steel plates. Eng Fail Anal 91:370–381. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2018.04.048

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Vilela PML, Carvalho H, Grilo LF, Montenegro PA, Calçada RB (2019) Unitary model for the analysis of bolted connections using the finite element method. Eng Fail Anal 104:308–320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2019.06.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Ellwood KRJ, Fesko D, Bauer DR (2004) An axisymmetric model for thread forming in polycarbonate and polypropylene screw and boss fasteners. Polym Eng Sci 44(8):1498–1508. https://doi.org/10.1002/pen.20146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Arruda E, Boyce M (1993) Evolution of Plastic Anisotropyin amorphous polymers during finite straining. Int J Plast 23

  23. Arriaga A, Lazkano JM, Pagaldai R, Zaldua AM, Hernandez R, Atxurra R, Chrysostomou A (2007) Finite-element analysis of quasi-static characterisation tests in thermoplastic materials: experimental and numerical analysis results correlation with ANSYS. Polym Test 26(3):284–305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2006.10.012

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Subhash G, Zhang W (2002) Investigation of the overall friction coefficient in single-pass scratch test. Wear 252(1-2):123–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0043-1648(01)00852-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Abaqus (2017) ABAQUS 6.14 Documentation. http://50.16.225.63/v2016/index.html

  26. Plastic C (2017) CAMPUS PLASTIC. www.campusplastics.com

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like thank Panelfisa S. Coop. for its support.

Funding

This work has been partially funded by the Centre for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI UET 106).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Engineering, TECNUN, Universidad de Navarra, P° de Manuel Lardizabal 13, 20018, Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain

    Wilmer E. Cumbicus, Miguel Arizmendi & Amaia Jiménez

  2. Materials and Manufacturing Engineering, Universidad Politécnica de Cartagena, 30202, Cartagena, Spain

    Manuel Estrems

Authors
  1. Wilmer E. Cumbicus
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Manuel Estrems
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Miguel Arizmendi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Amaia Jiménez
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wilmer E. Cumbicus.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Cumbicus, W.E., Estrems, M., Arizmendi, M. et al. Joining polymer parts with self-tapping screws: an improvement of the screw thread geometry. Int J Mater Form 14, 777–798 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12289-020-01593-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12289-020-01593-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation