Chipboard Screws

This type of screw can be used in chipboard and soft wood types without predrilling, due to its thin core diameter and sharp angle of the thread. This sharp thread cuts into wood with lower splitting effects, while simultaneously reducing the insertion torque. This combination increases the battery life on the used power tools and has the advantage of saving production time. The pull-out forces are also more consistent from the reduced splitting.

Using chipboard screws in harder wood types is usually problematic because the friction and insertion torque is higher, which may result in the screws breaking. To cope with occurring problems, manufacturers have designed extra features on chipboard screws.

CURRENT POSSIBILITIES FOR IMPROVED OPERATIONS

Lubrication on the screw to lower the insertion torques; these lubricants may be colored or translucent.
Cutting teeth in the thread to reduce friction and lower insertion torque.
Specialized drive types, such as Torx (Hexalobular) drive, to reduce wear on tools and screw drives.

A typical application of a chipboard screw is to screw metal (e.g., hinges) onto chipboard. If a metal part is screwed onto chipboard, the head of the screw cannot follow into the material, which increases the chance of breaking the screws or damaging the chipboard inside the hole. In both cases, a failure of the connection occurs.
The chance of failure can be avoided by reducing the tightening force or reducing the rotation speed when closing in on the surface of the metal part.
Common materials for these chipboard screws are steel and stainless steel.