What Are Screws That Go Through Metal? Try These Ones!
When metal components need to stay locked together through high vibration, temperature extremes, or constant load, screws that go through metal are indispensable.
Mining equipment, industrial machinery, steel construction...all of these environments demand fasteners engineered specifically for metal-to-metal applications. Choose the wrong screw and you're looking at stripped threads, loosened connections, or worse: downtime that costs thousands per hour.
What Makes Screws That Go Through Metal Different?
Metal screws aren't built like wood screws, and there's a good reason for that. Wood fibers compress and grip differently than steel or aluminum surfaces.
Here's how metal screws are different:
Thread design runs finer and tighter: Metal screws use machine threads, which are precisely cut spirals with less space between each ridge. This creates more surface contact against the harder material. Wood screws have aggressive, wide-spaced threads that would skip and strip in metal.
Point style matters for the job: Self-drilling metal screws come with hardened drill tips that bore their own pilot holes. Self-tapping versions have cutting edges that form threads as they drive in. Standard machine screws need pre-drilled holes and often pair with nuts for maximum hold.
Material hardness gets serious: These fasteners use hardened steel, stainless steel, or specialty alloys that won't deform under the torque needed to drive them into metal. A wood screw would twist or snap before it seated properly.
Head styles serve different functions: Flat heads sit flush for smooth surfaces. Pan heads distribute load across larger areas. Hex heads take socket drivers for higher torque applications without cam-out.
The thread pitch, point geometry, and material composition all work together to create mechanical interference in metal substrates. That's what keeps your assembly from vibrating apart or pulling loose under load.
Types of Screws for Metal
Here are some common types of screws that can go through metal:
Self-Tapping Screws
Self-tapping screws cut their own threads as they drive into pre-drilled pilot holes. The screw tip features sharp cutting edges that carve spiral grooves into the metal, creating a tight mechanical lock.
You drill the hole first, typically slightly smaller than the screw shaft, then drive the fastener in. The cutting action forms precise threads that match the screw.
These work well in thinner metals and softer alloys like aluminum. They're common in HVAC ductwork, light steel framing, and equipment enclosures where you need strong hold without access to both sides for a nut. The main advantage: no need for tapping tools or pre-threaded holes!
Self-Drilling Screws
Self-drilling screws combine a hardened drill bit tip with self-tapping threads. They bore through metal and cut threads in one operation, with no pilot hole required. The drill point penetrates the material, then the threads engage as the screw advances.
Metal roofing, steel building construction, and structural steel connections rely heavily on self-drilling fasteners. They save significant installation time when you're driving hundreds of screws through steel panels or joining metal studs. The drill point must be harder than the base material, which is why these screws use high-carbon or alloy steel construction.
Learn more about self-tapping vs self-drilling screws.
Machine Screws with Nuts
Machine screws have uniform threading along the shaft and require pre-drilled holes. They pass completely through both materials and secure with a nut on the opposite side. This creates the strongest metal-to-metal connection because clamping force distributes across both fastener ends.
Heavy equipment assembly, machinery mounting, and structural connections use machine screw and nut combinations. You'll find them anywhere metal components experience high vibration, shock loading, or need to be disassembled for maintenance. Pairing with lock washers or thread-locking compound prevents loosening under dynamic loads.
Sheet Metal Screws
Sheet metal screws feature sharp points and aggressive threads designed specifically for thin-gauge metal (typically 30-gauge to 18-gauge). The threads are spaced wider than machine screws but tighter than wood screws. Most have self-tapping capability for quick installation.
HVAC systems, metal enclosures, automotive body panels, and appliance assembly all depend on sheet metal screws. They excel at joining thin materials where through-bolting isn't practical. Pan head and hex head variants are most common, providing different levels of torque capacity and finish appearance.
Tek Screws
Tek screws (a trademarked design that's become generic terminology) are heavy-duty self-drilling fasteners with wings or cutting flutes at the tip. These wings ream the hole larger than the screw shaft, then break off as the threads engage. This reduces driving torque and prevents overtightening.
Steel building erection, metal roofing over purlins, and structural steel connections use Tek screws extensively. They can penetrate up to 1/2-inch steel depending on the point configuration. The color-coded points indicate drilling capacity, with different grades for different metal thicknesses.
Mining structures and industrial buildings rely on these for their speed and strength in heavy-gauge steel applications.
Materials and Coatings
The metal your screws are made from determines how much load they can handle and how long they'll last in different environments.
Hardened steel screws offer maximum strength for structural applications. Heat treatment increases their hardness so they can drill through metal without deforming. Most self-drilling and heavy-duty fasteners use hardened steel.
Stainless steel resists corrosion without additional coating. Grade 304 works for most indoor applications. Grade 316 handles coastal environments and chemical exposure. Stainless costs more but eliminates rust concerns in wet or corrosive conditions.
Brass and aluminum screws suit non-structural applications where you need corrosion resistance without magnetic properties. They're softer metals, so they won't work for high-stress connections.
Zinc plating provides basic corrosion protection for indoor use. The thin zinc layer sacrifices itself to protect the underlying steel. Budget-friendly but won't hold up outdoors long-term.
Galvanized coatings apply thicker zinc layers through hot-dip processes. These screws handle outdoor exposure much better. You'll see them in steel building construction and exterior metal applications.
Keep in mind that coating selection matters as much as the screw type. A hardened steel screw will rust quickly in mining applications without proper galvanization, even if the thread design is perfect.
FAQs
Will self-tapping screws go through metal?
Yes, but they need a pre-drilled pilot hole first. Self-tapping screws cut their own threads into the metal as you drive them, but they can't penetrate solid metal on their own. The pilot hole should be slightly smaller than the screw diameter. This leaves enough material for the cutting edges to form clean threads. Without the pilot hole, the screw tip will just spin and potentially snap off.
How thick of a metal can self-tapping screws go through?
Self-tapping screws handle metal up to about 1/4 inch thick in most cases. Thinner materials (18-gauge to 14-gauge) work best and are most common for these fasteners. Beyond 1/4 inch, you'll struggle with thread engagement and may break screws during installation. For thicker metal, switch to self-drilling screws with hardened drill points, or use machine screws with pre-drilled and tapped holes.
Material hardness matters, too. For example, soft aluminum allows thicker penetration than hardened steel.
Can regular screws go into metal?
Not effectively. Regular screws (the kind designed for wood or drywall) lack the hardness and thread design for metal. Wood screw threads are too coarse and aggressive. The screw will either strip out immediately or the tip will deform before it gets anywhere. Even if you somehow force one in, the connection won't be strong enough for any real load. Metal requires fasteners specifically engineered with fine threads, hardened tips, and appropriate material composition.
Do wood screws go through metal?
No. Wood screws will fail in metal for several reasons. The threads are spaced too far apart to engage properly with metal's density. The points aren't sharp or hard enough to penetrate metal surfaces. The screw shaft will bend or break under the torque needed to drive into metal. Wood screws rely on the material compressing around the threads, and metal doesn't compress the same way wood fibers do. You'll end up with stripped screws and no secure connection.
Do Tek screws rust?
Tek screws rust if they're not coated or made from stainless steel. Basic carbon steel Tek screws will corrode when exposed to moisture. Most manufacturers apply zinc plating or galvanized coatings to prevent rust. For outdoor applications, mining structures, or anywhere with moisture exposure, choose galvanized or stainless steel Tek screws. The coating adds cost but prevents rust that weakens connections and stains metal surfaces.
Get Reliable Inventory with Same-Day Local Delivery
D&T Enterprises stocks the metal fasteners you need for demanding industrial applications. We carry self-drilling screws, Tek screws, machine screws, and specialized fasteners in multiple materials and coatings. Local customers within 100 miles of Cedar Bluff get same-day delivery at no extra charge.
Need help selecting the right screws for your metal project? Our team understands mining equipment, heavy machinery, and steel construction requirements. We'll help you match fastener specs to your application—no guesswork, no delays.
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