Designation: C 1002 – 01

Standard Specification for

Steel Self-Piercing Tapping Screws for the Application of
Gypsum Panel Products or Metal Plaster Bases to Wood
Studs or Steel Studs1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 1002; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

1. Scope * 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:

1.1 This specification covers steel self-piercing tapping 3.2.1 self-piercing, v—the ability to penetrate without ben-
screws for use in fastening gypsum panel products and metal efit of a pre-drilled hole with sharp-point angles of not more
plaster bases to cold-formed steel studs less than 0.033 in. than 30°.
(0.84 mm) in thickness and wood members and for fastening 3.2.2 spin-out, v—for a screw, the continued rotation of a
gypsum panel products to gypsum board. screw without further penetration into the substrate.
1.2 This specification also covers test methods for determin- 4. Classification
ing performance requirements and physical properties.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 4.1 Steel screws covered by this specification are of four
as the standard. The SI (metric) values given in parentheses are types of thread configurations:
approximate and are for information only. 4.1.1 Type G, course-pitch high-thread self-piercing screws
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the for fastening gypsum board to gypsum board.
test methods described in this specification: This standard does 4.1.2 Type S, fine-thread screw for fastening gypsum board
not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, to cold formed steel members.
associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this 4.1.3 Type W, course-thread screw for fastening gypsum
standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices board to wood members.
and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior 4.1.4 Type A, course-pitch tapping screw thread for fasten-
to use. ing metal plaster bases to wood or cold-formed steel.

2. Referenced Documents 5. Materials

2.1 ASTM Standards: 5.1 Steel Wire, for manufacturing screws, Specification
A 548 Specification for Steel Wire, Carbon, Cold-Heading A 548, Grades 1013 to 1022.
Quality for Tapping or Sheet Metal Screws2 6. Physical Properties
C 11 Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Build-
ing Materials and Products3 6.1 Hardness:
C 36 Specification for Gypsum Wallboard3 6.1.1 The surface of Type S, Type W, and Type A screws
C 645 Specification for Nonstructural Steel Framing Mem- shall be case hardened to a depth of not less than 0.002 in.
bers3 (0.05 mm) with case hardness not less than 45 HRC.
C 847 Specification for Metal Lath3 6.1.2 The surface of Type G screws is not required to be
case hardened.
3. Terminology 6.2 Ductility—The screws shall have sufficient ductility to
3.1 Definitions: For definitions relating to gypsum and be able to withstand a 15° bend without visible signs of fracture
related building materials and systems, see Terminology C 11. when tested as specified in 12.6.6.
7. Performance Requirements
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C11 on 7.1 Type G Screws:
Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems and is the direct responsibility
of Subcommittee C11.02 on Specifications and Test Methods for Accessories and 7.1.1 Screws shall be able to self-pierce and drive into
Related Products. gypsum panel products.
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 2001. Published November 2001. Originally 7.1.2 Screw threads shall be adequate to pull the head of the
published as C 1002 – 83. Last previous edition C 1002 – 00.
2
Discontinued; see 1990 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.03.
screw below the surface of the gypsum panel product when
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01. tested as specified in 12.6.2.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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 C 1002
7.2 Type S Screws: 8.5.1 Nominal Length—The nominal length shall be the
7.2.1 General—Screws shall be able to self-pierce and drive minimum length.
into cold-formed steel members in less than 2 s, when tested as 8.5.2 Type W and Type A screws shall be long enough to
specified in 12.6.3.1. penetrate wood members not less than 5⁄8 in. (15.9 mm).
7.2.2 Screws for Fastening Gypsum Panel Products—Screw 8.6 Threads—Either single or multiple thread design.
threads shall be adequate to pull the head of the screw below 8.7 Points—Self-piercing design.
the surface of the gypsum panel product, without spin-out,
when tested as specified in 12.6.3.1. 9. Finish and Appearance
7.3 Type W Screws: 9.1 Form—The form shall be straight and neatly formed.
7.3.1 General—Screw threads shall be able to self-pierce 9.2 Threads—The threads shall be clean and smooth.
and drive into wood members. 9.3 Finish—Screws shall have a corrosion-resistant treat-
7.3.2 Screws for Fastening Gypsum Panel Products—Screw ment. The treatment shall not inhibit adhesion to finishing
threads shall be adequate to pull the head of the screw below compounds nor bleed through field-applied decoration.
the surface of the gypsum panel product, without spin-out
10. Sampling
when tested as specified in 12.6.4.1.
7.4 Type A Screws: 10.1 Obtain not less than 90 screws from not less than five
7.4.1 General—Screw shall be able to pierce and drive into containers.
wood or cold-formed steel members.
11. Number of Tests and Retests
7.4.2 Screws for Fastening Metal Plaster Bases—Screw
threads shall be adequate to pull a metal plaster base tightly 11.1 Test a minimum of five screws for each test. If any of
enough against the face of a wood or steel stud, without the first lot fails, test 25 more screws.
spin-out, so that when subjected to a steady pull, the plaster 11.2 If two or more of the second lot fail the second test,
base will tear before slipping out from under the screw head, then the represented lot fails to meet the specified require-
when tested in accordance with 12.6.5.1 or 12.6.5.2. ments.
12. Test Methods
8. Dimensions and Permissible Variations
12.1 The following test methods set forth procedures used
8.1 Head Diameter: to determine the ability of the screws to pierce through gypsum
8.1.1 General—Heads shall be permitted to be out of round panel and metal plaster base and into the backup material
not more than 0.02 in. (0.51 mm). without spinout.
8.1.2 Screws for Fastening Gypsum Board—Not less than 12.1.1 The test methods can also be used to determine
0.315 in. (8 mm). whether or not alternate screw driving recesses will have
8.1.3 Screws for Fastening Metal Plaster Bases—Not less performance values equal to those of the “Phillips” recess
than 0.437 in. (11.1 mm). specified.
8.2 Head Contour: 12.2 Significance and Use—The test methods provide pro-
8.2.1 Screws for Fastening Gypsum Panel Products—The cedures for evaluating the physical properties and performance
top of the head shall be flat. The outer flange thickness shall be requirements of steel self-piercing screws. The degree of
0.025 6 0.005 in. (0.64 6 0.13 mm). The contour beneath the correlation between these tests and service performance has not
flange head shall be such that the screw head shall be able to been determined.
be driven so that the head of the screw rests immediately below 12.3 Apparatus:
the surface of the gypsum panel product. 12.3.1 Screw Gun—Standard manufacture electric screw
8.2.2 Screws for Fastening Metal Plaster Bases—The top of gun, turning at a minimum of 2500 r/min.
the screw shall be either flat or contoured. The underside of the 12.3.2 Timing Device—Standard stopwatch, calibrated
head shall be flat or near flat. The threads shall extend to the in 1⁄10 s.
underside of the head. 12.3.3 Vice—Standard machinists vice, not less than 3 in.
8.3 Driving Recess: (76 mm).
8.3.1 Screws for Fastening Gypsum Board—No. 2 “Phil- 12.3.4 Clamp—Locking pliers (“Vice-Grip”), 6 in. (152
lips” design, depth of recess, not less than 0.104 in. (2.64 mm). mm).
8.3.2 Screws for Fastening Metal Plaster Bases—No. 2 12.4 Materials:
“Phillips” design, depth of recess, not less than 0.077 in. (1.95 12.4.1 Gypsum Wallboard—Specification C 36, Type
mm). X, 5⁄8 in. (16 mm) thick.
8.3.3 Determine depth of recess with a Phillips penetration 12.4.2 Metal Lath—As in Specification C 847, diamond
depth gage. mesh, weight 2.5 lb/yd2(1.4 kg/m2).
8.3.4 Other types of screw-driving recesses having perfor- 12.4.3 Steel Stud—As in Specification C 645, 0.0179 in.
mance values equal to those of the recesses specified are (0.455 mm) thick, hardness not less than 52 HRB, size 35⁄8 in.
acceptable. (92.1 mm).
8.4 Shank Diameter—Not less than No. 6, with major 12.4.4 Wood Stud—Douglas fir, construction grade, 2 by 4
diameter not less than 0.136 in. (3.45 mm). or 2 by 6, nominal, containing not less than 16 % nor more than
8.5 Length: 19 % free moisture as determined by a suitable moisture meter.

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 C 1002
12.4.5 Kraft Paper—0.01 in. (0.25 mm) thick, 2 in. (51 surface of the gypsum board, because the test result in
mm) square. non-quantitative. No information is presented about either the
12.5 Specimen Preparation: precision or the bias for the Type S screw test for measuring the
12.5.1 Cut 6-in. (152-mm) square specimens from a sheet of time to drive the screw because no material having an
gypsum wallboard not less than 12 in. (305 mm) away from the acceptable reference value is available.
edge or end. 12.6.4 Type A Screws for Fastening Metal Lath to Steel:
12.5.1.1 Weigh the specimens to within 1 g, and then 12.6.4.1 When driving Type A screws, use a force of 30 lbf
condition at a temperature of 85 6 15°F (29.5 6 5.5°C) in an (133 N).
atmosphere having a relative humidity of 50 6 2 %. Individu- 12.6.4.2 Rigidly support a piece of metal lath over a steel
ally test the specimens after constant weight is reached. stud specimen. With a screw gun, as described in 12.3, drive
12.5.2 Cut 6 in. (152 mm) square specimens from a sheet of the five screw specimens through each of the five pieces of
metal lath not less than 4 in. (102 mm) away from the edge or metal lath, and into the steel. Measure the length of time it
end. takes to drive the screws and observe if there was spinout.
12.5.3 Cut 12 in. (305 mm) long specimens from a length of Grasp the metal lath with the locking pliers and pull steadily in
a steel stud. a plane parallel to the plane of the lath. Observe whether the
12.5.4 Cut 12 in. (305 mm) long specimens from a length of lath tears before it slips out from under the screw head.
wood stud. 12.6.4.3 Interpretation of Results—Calculate the average
12.6 Procedure: time to drive the five screw specimens through the metal lath
12.6.1 General: Drive the screws not closer than 5⁄8 in. (16 into the steel. If any of the five specimens fails to pull the screw
mm) from the edges of the gypsum wallboard and not closer head through the metal lath and into the steel, or spins out, or
than 2 in. (50 mm) from the edges of the metal lath. if the average time is more than 2 s, or if the metal lath fails to
12.6.2 Type G Screw Test—Rigidly support two pieces of tear when pulled, the lot has failed.
gypsum board sandwiched together. With a screw gun, drive 12.6.4.4 Precision and Bias—No information is presented
the screw specimen into the gypsum boards, so that the head of about either the precision or the bias for the Type A screw test
the screw is below the surface of the gypsum board. for measuring spinout or pulling the screw head below the
12.6.2.1 When driving Type G screw specimens, use the surface of the gypsum board, because the test result is
force of less than 20 lbf (89 N). non-quantitative. No information is presented about either the
12.6.2.2 Interpretation of Results—Observe if the screws precision or the bias for the Type A screw test for measuring
are pulled below the surface of the gypsum board. If any of the the time to drive the screw because no material having an
five screws fail, the lot has failed the test. Retest in accordance acceptable reference value is available.
with Section 11. 12.6.5 Type A Screws for Fastening Metal Lath to Wood:
12.6.2.3 Report—Report whether the lot has passed or 12.6.5.1 When driving type A screws, use a force of 30 lbf
failed the test. (133 N).
12.6.2.4 Precision and Bias—No information is presented 12.6.5.2 Rigidly support a piece of metal lath over a length
about either the precision or the bias for the Type G screw test of wood stud as described in 12.4.4. With a screw gun as
for pulling the screw head below the surface of the gypsum described is 12.3, drive the five screw specimens through each
board because the test result is non-quantitative. of the five pieces of metal lath and into the wood stud. Observe
12.6.3 Type “S” Screws Test for Fastening Board to Steel: if there was spinout. Grasp the metal lath with the locking
12.6.3.1 When driving Type S screws use a force of 30 lbf pliers and pull steadily in a plane parallel to the plane of the
(133N). lath. Observe whether the lath tears before it slips out from
12.6.3.2 Rigidly support a piece of gypsum wallboard as under the screw head.
described in 12.4.1 over a length of steel stud as described in 12.6.5.3 Interpretation of Results—If any of the five speci-
12.4.3. With a screw gun as described in 12.3, drive five screw mens fails to pull the screw head through the metal lath and
specimens through the wallboard and into the steel. Measure into the wood, or spins out, or if the metal lath fails to tear
the length of time it takes to drive each screw so that the screw when pulled, the lot has failed. Retest in accordance with
head is below the surface of the gypsum board and observe if Section 11.
there was spinout. 12.6.5.4 Precision and Bias—No information is presented
12.6.3.3 Interpretation of Results—Calculate the average about either the precision or the bias for the Type A screw test
time to drive the five screw specimens through the wallboard for pulling the screw head through the metal lath and into the
and into the steel. If any of the five specimens fail to pull the wood, or spinout, or tearing of the metal lath, because the test
screw head below the surface of the gypsum board or spins out, results are non-quantitative.
or if the average time is more than 2 s, the lot has failed. Retest 12.6.6 Type W Screw Test for Fastening Gypsum Board to
in accordance with Section 11. Wood:
12.6.3.4 Report—Report whether the lot has passed or 12.6.6.1 When driving type W screws, use a force of 30 lbf
failed the test and the reason for failure. (133 N).
12.6.3.5 Precision and Bias—No information is presented 12.6.6.2 Rigidly support a piece of gypsum wallboard as
about either the precision or the bias for the Type S screw test described in 12.4.1 over a length of wood as described in
for measuring spinout or pulling the screw head below the 12.4.4. With a screw gun as described in 12.3, drive five screw

3
 C 1002
specimens through the wallboard and into the wood so that the 14. Rejection
head of the screw is below the surface of the wallboard, and
14.1 Rejection of screws that fail to conform to the require-
observe if there was spinout.
ments of this specification shall be reported to the producer or
12.6.6.3 Interpretation of Results—If any of the five speci-
supplier promptly and in writing. The notice of rejection shall
mens fails to pull the head of the screw below the surface of the
contain a statement documenting how the screws have failed to
wallboard or spins out, the lot has failed the test. Retest in
conform to the specification requirements.
accordance with Section 11.
12.6.6.4 Precision and Bias—No information is presented
about either the precision or the bias for the Type G screw test 15. Certification
for pulling the screw head below the surface of the gypsum 15.1 When specified in the purchase agreement, a produc-
board because the test result is non-quantitative. er’s or supplier’s report shall be furnished at the time of
12.6.7 Ductility Test: shipment, certifying that the screws are in compliance with this
12.6.7.1 Place a screw specimen into a specified hole in a specification.
hardened block having a 10-degree angle on its face, then
strike the part on the head with a hammer. If the head separates 16. Packaging and Marking
completely from the body, the part is either too hard in its core,
the case hardness is too deep, the thread has cut the underhead 16.1 Packaging:
radius, or the recess is too deep. Any of these problems can 16.1.1 Screws shall be packaged in substantial commercial
result in screws that break during assembly. If any of the five shipping containers, constructed so as to preserve the contents
specimens fail, retest in accordance with Section 11. in good condition and to ensure acceptance and safe delivery
12.6.7.2 Interpretation of Results—If any of the five screw by common or other carriers, to the point of delivery.
specimens shows signs of fracture or complications as noted in 16.1.2 Individual packages shall be so constructed that the
12.6.7.1, the lot has failed. Retest in accordance with Section contents shall be able to be partially removed without destroy-
11. ing the container’s ability to serve as a receptacle for the
12.6.7.3 Report—Report whether the lot has passed or remainder of the contents.
failed the test and the reason for failure. 16.2 Marking—Individual packages and shipping contain-
12.6.7.4 Precision and Bias—No information is presented ers shall be marked with the type, size, use, and quantity of
about either the precision or the bias of the ductility test screws contained therein, the name, brand, or trademark of the
because the test results are non-quantitative. producer or supplier, and the ASTM designation.
13. Inspection
17. Keywords
13.1 Inspection of the screws shall be agreed upon between
the purchaser and the producer or the supplier as part of the 17.1 drill screw; gypsum board; lath; metal plaster base;
purchase agreement. self-pierce; self-piercing screw

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C11 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(C 1002 – 00) that may impact the use of this standard.

(1) The testing sections 12.6.1-12.6.7 were revised. (2) Paragraphs 10.1, 11.1, 11.2, 12.1, and 12.3.1 were revised.

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