What Is A PT Screw
We all know the basics: a flathead screw needs a slotted screwdriver, and a cross-head screw uses a Phillips or Pozidriv driver. These are the everyday ones. But there are plenty of other specialised screw types out there — and one of the most useful for plastic parts is the PT screw.
What is a PT Screw?
PT stands for Plastic Tapping, and it’s exactly what it sounds like: a screw made specifically to work with plastic. Its thread shape and pitch are tweaked so it cuts cleanly into plastic without splitting the material or stripping the threads. People often call them “plastic self-tapping screws”, and most use standard Phillips drive bits to drive them in or out.
You’ll find PT screws everywhere: in home appliances, phone cases, small electronics, car interior parts, and just about any everyday plastic product. Compared to regular self-tapping screws, they hold much better in plastic, thanks to their unique thread design. They also stay locked in place really well, even when there’s vibration or temperature changes.
PT Screwdrivers
Most PT screws use a standard Phillips drive, so you just need a matching Phillips bit of the same size. The way the drive is shaped means torque spreads evenly, so you’re less likely to strip the screw head or damage your tool.
One thing to keep in mind: always use the right size bit. If you’re working with a PT screw that takes a No. 2 Phillips bit, don’t force a No. 1 in there. Also, go easy on the torque — over-tightening is the quickest way to crack a plastic part.
Security PT Screw
Regular PT screws are easy to take apart with common tools, which isn’t always ideal. That’s where security PT screws come in. They use special drive shapes — like pin-in-Torx, one-way slotted, or five-lobe heads — that need a specific matching driver to remove.
These are often used in public devices, charging stations, or any product where you don’t want people taking it apart. They keep the plastic-gripping benefits of standard PT screws, but add an extra layer of tamper resistance.
Five-Lobe PT Screw
The five-lobe PT screw is a step up in security. It combines the plastic-friendly PT thread with a five-point star-shaped drive head. Standard tools won’t work on it, so it’s much harder to disassemble without permission.
Besides being more secure, the five-lobe drive also spreads torque evenly when you’re tightening, so there’s less risk of the bit slipping out or damaging the head. That makes them popular in precision electronics or equipment where you need both a tight plastic hold and anti-tampering protection.
PT Screw Sizes
Choosing the right PT screw size matters — it affects both the tool you use and how well it works in the material. Here’s a quick guide to the common sizes you’ll see in the industry:
|
PT Size |
Imperial (mm equivalent) |
Metric Thread Diameter |
Recommended Max Torque |
|
PT1.0 |
0.039" (1.00mm) |
1.0mm |
0.03 - 0.05 Nm |
|
PT1.2 |
0.047" (1.20mm) |
1.2mm |
0.08 - 0.12 Nm |
|
PT1.4 |
0.055" (1.40mm) |
1.4mm |
0.15 - 0.20 Nm |
|
PT1.7 |
0.067" (1.70mm) |
1.7mm |
0.30 - 0.40 Nm |
|
PT2.0 |
0.079" (2.00mm) |
2.0mm |
0.55 - 0.70 Nm |
|
PT2.3 |
0.091" (2.30mm) |
2.3mm |
0.90 - 1.10 Nm |
|
PT2.6 |
0.102" (2.60mm) |
2.6mm |
1.30 - 1.60 Nm |
|
PT3.0 |
0.118" (3.00mm) |
3.0mm |
2.10 - 2.50 Nm |
|
PT3.5 |
0.138" (3.50mm) |
3.5mm |
3.60 - 4.20 Nm |
|
PT4.0 |
0.157" (4.00mm) |
4.0mm |
5.80 - 6.80 Nm |
Yuhuang Electronics Company Introduction
Yuhuang Electronics Dongguan Co.,Ltd has been engaged in the fastener manufacturing industry since 1998. Based in Changping Town, Dongguan — a well-known domestic hardware processing and production base — our company benefits from complete industrial support and superior location conditions. We produce a full lineup of standard fasteners that comply with GB, ANSI, DIN, JIS and ISO global specifications. Apart from regular standard products, we also support personalized custom processing, designing and producing exclusive fasteners according to customers’ actual drawings, samples and on-site usage requirements.
Our company has built up a stable and experienced production and service team. At present, we have more than 100 on-site skilled workers, matched with professional technical engineers and seasoned foreign trade sales personnel. We always put customer demand in the first place, focus on smooth communication with clients, and commit to providing practical, affordable and targeted fastener solutions for global purchasers.
Our independent factory covers an area of 20,000 square meters, equipped with mature automated production equipment and high-precision testing tools. We carry out strict quality inspection and management in every production procedure, from raw material incoming inspection to finished product delivery. With nearly 30 years of accumulated manufacturing experience, all our products meet RoHS and REACH environmental protection standards. Meanwhile, we have passed ISO9001, ISO14001 and IATF16949 official certifications, which effectively ensure stable product quality, accurate sizes and timely delivery for every order.
Our fastener products are sold well in more than 40 countries and regions around the world, including mainstream markets like the United States, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and Norway. Our versatile fastener parts are widely applicable in multiple fields, such as consumer electronics, household electrical appliances, auto parts, safety monitoring equipment, sports and fitness equipment, as well as medical device accessories.
We keep updating our product structure and upgrading production techniques to keep up with changing market trends. We keep developing new fastener styles and optimizing production flows to better serve diverse customer needs. Our core goal is to make global fastener procurement easier and more reliable, offering clients hassle-free one-stop purchasing services. With solid production strength and professional custom capabilities, Yuhuang Electronics is always your reliable long-term cooperative supplier for fastener products.
A4 building, Zhenxing science and Technology Park, First Industrial Area, Tutang Village, Changping Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong, China
Post time: May-28-2026
