Titanium Self-Tapping Screws (DIN 7981 / ISO 14581)

Titanium self-tapping screws are thread-forming screws with a special thread profile that allows them to cut or deform an internal thread in the mating material as they are driven in — eliminating the need for a pre-tapped hole and separate tapping tool. Unlike machine screws (which require a pre-tapped hole), self-tapping screws are driven directly into pilot holes (or sometimes into no pilot hole at all for thin soft materials), where the screw's own thread geometry reshapes the mating material.

Gr5 Ti-6Al-4V alloy is available as a regular material option for titanium self-tapping screws (subject to final confirmation of annealed condition suitability for specific mating materials & thread-forming tip geometry). Grade 2 CP titanium is also supplied as the standard choice. Specify your mating material (titanium sheet, steel sheet, aluminum, FRP etc.) and head / drive style at inquiry. Commonly referenced to DIN 7981 / ISO 14581. ST (self-tapping) size series ST2.9–ST9.5 coordinated.

Technical Note: Annealed titanium hardness and self-tapping feasibility depend on the screw tip geometry, mating material hardness and pilot hole size. Gr5 titanium in its fully annealed condition (most common commercial state) has sufficient ductility for thread-forming applications in soft to medium-hardness materials. For harder mating materials or when a thread-cutting screw (Type 23) is needed instead of thread-forming (Type AB), we will advise after reviewing your specific requirement.

Product Range & Specifications

DIN 7981 (pan head) / DIN 7982 (countersunk) / DIN 7983 (flat countersunk) — commonly referenced.

H

Head Types

Pan head (DIN 7981), countersunk (DIN 7982), low-profile countersunk (DIN 7983), hex flange head (DIN 6922), pan-head with washer (Type F).

D

Drive Types

Phillips cross-recess (#2 most common), Pozidriv, Torx six-lobe square, hex socket — specify at inquiry.

TH

Thread Forms

Self-tapping (ST) thread — different from standard machine screw thread. Thread-forming (Type AB / Type 17 / Type 23) vs thread-cutting (Type 1 / Type 25) available — specify at inquiry.

M

Metric Dimensions

Standard Range: ST2.9–ST9.5 (DIN 7981 / 7982). Lengths 6–80 mm.
Custom Supply: ST2.2, ST11+ (self-drilling variants), cut-to-length, custom head diameters.
Note: Self-tapping screw "diameter" is designated with ST prefix (e.g. ST4.8), not the regular M prefix. Pilot hole diameter and hole preparation recommended per mating material.

G

Grade Options

Regular: Grade 2 (CP Ti) & Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V alloy) — both coordinated as standard options, subject to annealed condition suitability for thread-forming.
Coordinated: Grade 1, Grade 7, Grade 9, Grade 23 — subject to order quantity and manufacturing review.
Technical confirmation item: Annealed titanium hardness and self-tapping feasibility must be confirmed against specific mating material hardness, tip geometry and drive tool torque before mass production. We review these at inquiry.

S

Standard References

DIN 7981 (pan head Phillips), DIN 7982 (countersunk Phillips), DIN 7983 (low-profile CSK). ISO 14581 / ISO 14582 international equivalents.

X

Custom Manufacturing

Non-standard head geometry, drive system (Torx, Pozidriv, hex socket), self-drilling tip (Type SDS / Type TEK), custom coating and finish requirements coordinated per drawing and after feasibility review.

P

Packaging

Bag / box / wooden case per request. Bulk, small-lot and export packaging supported.

Typical Application Areas

S

Sheet Metal Assembly

Direct fastening into thin titanium or steel sheet without pre-tapping — speeds assembly.

E

Electronic Enclosures

Light-duty enclosure assembly where corrosion resistance is required.

M

Medical Equipment Housings

Non-magnetic sheet metal assembly with Gr2 or Gr5 titanium options.

C

Corrosion-Resistant Assembly

Eliminates crevice corrosion from pre-tapped holes — self-tapped threads seat tightly around the screw.

Quality & Documentation

Material test certificates, dimensional verification (head diameter, drive size, self-tapping thread diameter & pitch, length) and surface finish documentation available. Annealed condition confirmation for Gr5 on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose between Grade 2 and Grade 5 titanium self-tapping screws?

Grade 2 CP titanium: standard choice for most self-tapping applications — lower hardness, consistent ductility for forming threads in softer mating materials (aluminum, thin steel sheet, FRP, plastics).
Grade 5 Ti-6Al-4V alloy: higher hardness and strength, suitable when higher tensile / shear capacity is required AND the mating material is not so hard that the Gr5 tip cannot deform it. We review your specific mating material, tip geometry and drive torque requirements. Annealed Gr5 ductility is confirmed against your application during inquiry.

Self-tapping screw vs machine screw — which to use?

Self-tapping (DIN 7981): no pre-tapped hole needed — faster assembly, one less operation. Recommended for sheet metal, thin sections, plastics and soft non-ferrous materials. Specify mating material and pilot hole size.
Machine screw (DIN 912 / 7985 etc.): requires a pre-tapped hole — more precise positioning, stronger thread in hard materials, can be removed and re-installed without destroying the thread. Recommended for precision or critical assemblies with hard mating materials. Specify which you need.

What pilot hole size should I use?

Pilot hole size depends on the ST diameter, self-tapping thread type (thread-forming Type AB vs thread-cutting Type 23) and mating material hardness. Typical pilot hole as percentage of ST outer diameter: 80–85% for soft materials, 85–90% for harder materials. Specify ST size and mating material at inquiry — we will recommend a pilot hole diameter.

Can Gr5 titanium self-tap?

Yes — Grade 5 Ti-6Al-4V alloy in the annealed condition (the most common commercial supply state) has sufficient ductility for thread-forming applications in soft to medium-hardness materials. The limiting factor is usually the mating material hardness, not the titanium screw material. We review each application against your mating material, tip geometry and drive tool torque — no need to assume Gr5 must be excluded.