Spiral Flute Tap

Short Description:

Due to the helix angle, the actual cutting rake angle of the tap will increase as the helix angle increases. Experience tells us: For processing ferrous metals, the helix angle should be smaller, generally around 30 degrees, to ensure the strength of the helical teeth and help extend the life of the tap. For processing non-ferrous metals such as copper, aluminum, magnesium, and zinc, the helix angle should be larger, which can be around 45 degrees, and the cutting is sharper, which is good for chip removal.

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Following are recommendations for the degree of spiral for various materials:

Spiral flute taps are more suitable for processing non-through hole threads (also called blind holes), and the chips are upward during processing discharge. Due to the helix angle, the actual cutting rake angle of the tap will increase as the helix angle increases.

• High spiral flutes 45° and higher – effective for very ductile materials like aluminum and copper. If used in other materials, they will usually cause the chips to nest because the spiral is too • fast and the chip area is too small for the chip to form correctly.
• Spiral flutes 38° – 42° – recommended for medium to high carbon steel or free machining stainless steel. They form a chip tight enough to easily evacuate. On larger taps, it allows for pitch relief to ease the cutting.
• Spiral flutes 25° – 35° – recommended for free machining, low or leaded steels, free machining bronze, or brasses. Spiral flute taps used in brass and tough bronzes normally do not perform well because the small broken chip will not flow up the spiral flute well.
• Spiral flutes 5° – 20° – For tougher materials such as some stainless, titanium or high nickel alloys, a slower spiral is recommended. This allows the chips to be slightly pulled upward but does not weaken the cutting edge as much as higher spirals will.
• Reverse cut spirals, such as RH cut/LH spiral, will push the chips forward and are usually 15° spiral. These work especially well in tubing applications.