Threading Tap Materials: Traits and Capabilities
Metallurgists have worked for over 160 years in developing more resilient metals for threading difficult-to-machine materials. Nowadays, the amount of different raw materials available to manufacture threading taps is exceptional. This is a necessity since there's no one material that's suitable for threading all types of matter.
- High-speed steel taps
- Solid carbide taps
- Regal’s SuperTuf particle metal taps
In addition to the tap material, taps can now utilize special coatings and tip configurations for even more customization options, depending on your specific needs and application.
High-Speed Steel Taps
High-speed steel (HSS) has remained a popular tap material for decades because it can maintain its integrity while threading, despite high temperatures and vibration. Various types of high-speed steel exist, but the main "ingredients" include high carbon tool steel, tungsten, chromium, vanadium, and iron.
- Alloy Steel
- Cast Iron
- Copper
- Magnesium
Solid Carbide Taps
The term "carbide" is short for "tungsten carbide," which is a type of steel made from carbon atoms and tungsten. Solid carbide is much denser than steel and has a high resistance to friction and heat.
Although resistant to an abrasive material, solid carbide tends to be brittle and doesn't withstand vibrations as well as other tap materials. For that reason, solid carbide taps should be used only with modern, high-speed cutting equipment that has minimal vibration while operating.
Although solid carbide is more expensive than high-speed steel, keep in mind that it's ultra-durable and capable of maintaining a sharp cutting edge much longer than HSS. Using solid carbide means you'll go through fewer taps and spend less time changing out taps.
Consider threading taps made from solid carbide if you need taps to:
- Withstand much higher temperatures than steel
- Run at a much higher cutting speed than steel
- Produce cleaner and smoother edges than steel
- Alloy Steel
- Aluminum
- Brass
- Carbon steels
- Cast iron
- Copper
- Hardened steel
- Inconel
- Nickel (and other hard alloys)
- Sintered materials
- Stainless steel
- Titanium
SuperTuf Particle Metal Taps
SuperTuf particle metal was created by in-house research and development specialist, who combined HSSE particle metals with super microparticle metals. Taps made from SuperTuf exhibit excellent hardness, heat absorption, and abrasion resistance.
- Austenitic/martensitic/duplexing stainless steel
- Commercially pure alpha/beta titanium alloys
- Medium and high carbon steels
- Nickel chrome alloys
- Nickel-copper
- Precipitation hardening stainless steel
Carbo-Clad Carbide Tipped
The term "carbo-clad" refers to tap material that has strips of carbide brazed into the steel body of the tap. These taps are highly durable due to the carbide, while the steel provides greater torsional strength. The resulting tap has better shock absorbency than solid carbide.
Taps that are carbo-clad carbide tipped work very well on hard, nonferrous materials like aluminum, bronze, cast iron, and hard copper. However, they are not recommended for threading taps in steel.
The Right Tap for the Job
- Equipment being used
- Production speed
- Tap design (thread angle, thread height, pitch, etc.)