Pronunciation: [tˈap skɹˈuː] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "tap screw" is quite straightforward once you understand its components. The first part, "tap", is pronounced as /tæp/, with the "a" sound like in "cat" and a strong "p" at the end. The second part, "screw", is pronounced as /skruː/, with a long "u" and a "oo" sound like in "school". Put them together and you get /tæp skruː/, a type of screw that's designed to cut threads into a material as it's driven in.
A tap screw refers to a type of screw that possesses self-tapping capabilities, enabling it to create its own threads or mating threads within a pre-drilled hole in materials like wood, plastic, or metal. Also known as a thread-forming screw, it is designed to eliminate the need for a separate tapping tool or a pre-tapped hole. This type of screw features a sharp pointed end, often with a fluted or notched tip, that allows it to cut into the material as it is being driven.
Tap screws are distinguished by their unique thread design. Unlike conventional screws with spaced-apart threads, tap screws generally have closer and shallower threads. These threads are shaped in a way that, while they create resistance, they also displace the material around them, forming mating threads.
The primary advantage of tap screws is their efficiency in fastening materials without requiring a pre-drilled hole or the use of a tapping tool. These screws can be easily driven into the material using various tools, including manual or electric screwdrivers. Typically available in different sizes and lengths, tap screws find applications in a wide range of industries such as construction, woodworking, electrical, automotive, and more.
In summary, a tap screw is a type of self-tapping screw that possesses the ability to create threads as it is driven into a pre-drilled hole, making it a convenient and efficient fastening solution for a variety of materials.
The word "tap screw" is a combination of two terms: "tap" and "screw".
1. Tap: The term "tap" in this context comes from the verb "to tap". In the world of hardware and threading, "tapping" refers to the process of creating internal threads in a pre-drilled hole. This is done using a tool called a tap. The etymology of the verb itself traces back to Old English "tæppian", which meant "to strike lightly, tap gently". It derived from Proto-Germanic "tappōną" and has Germanic origins.
2. Screw: The word "screw" has a longer etymological history. It originated from Old French "escroue", which in turn came from Late Latin "scrofa".
