The Difference Between Type A Sheet Metal Screws and Type AB Sheet Metal Screws
Sheet metal screws are used in a large number of industrial and commercial applications, including construction, aerospace, HVAC, automotive and more. Two of the most common types of sheet metal screws are Type A and Type AB, but which is best for your application?
Both Type A sheet metal screws and Type AB sheet metal screws are self-tapping, meaning they create the threads in the substrate they’re being inserted into as they are torqued down. Both types of sheet metal screws are used in similar applications, such as thin metal or wood.
The real difference between these two types of sheet metal screws is in the threaded portion of the fastener. Type A sheet metal screws feature a coarse thread, while Type AB sheet metal screws feature a fine thread. Because they feature a higher number of threads per inch, Type AB sheet metal screws offer broader functional capabilities than Type A sheet metal screws, and are especially helpful when drilling into very brittle materials.
When choosing which sheet metal screw is best for your application, a large part of the decision will be the substrate that you’re attaching to. However, if you have any doubt about whether or not Type A sheet metal screws will meet your needs, you can almost always substitute Type AB sheet metal screws with little difference to the finished product.
If you need help choosing the sheet metal screw that’s right for you, contact Mudge Fasteners at (800) 634-0406.
