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Threading & Tapping Standard

Calcolatore Diametro Preforo Filettatura

Prefori per maschiatura Metrica, UNC, UNF e NPT con calcolo dell'impegno di filetto (50%-85%).

Thread Selection & Parameters

Select thread standard, size, tap process, and custom engagement percentage

Tapping Method
75%(Standard)
50% 65% 75% 85%

75% engagement delivers full thread proof strength while keeping tap torque moderate.

Machinist Pro-Tip for Tapping Hard Alloys:When tapping stainless steel or titanium, reducing thread engagement from 75% to 60% reduces tapping torque by over 35%, preventing broken taps with virtually zero loss of bolt holding strength.

Nearest Standard Drill Bit Equivalents

Closest fractional, letter, number, and metric sizes if exact drill is out of stock

Drill SizeSystemDecimal (mm)Decimal (inch)Engagement %Delta
Recommended Cut Tap DrillTarget Size
5.00mm
Decimal Inch: 0.1969"(#8 or 5.0mm)
Major Diameter
6.00 mm (0.236")
Pitch / TPI
1.0 mm / 25.4 TPI
Clearance Hole (Normal)
6.60 mm (0.260")
Form Tap Alternative
5.50 mm (0.216")
Thread Profile & Engagement Diagram60° ISO / UN Standard
Major Dia (D)Minor Dia / Tap HoleDrill: 5.0mm

The blue zone represents the engaged flanks of the internal thread. 75% height engagement provides 100% of the bolt tensile failure strength without excessive tap friction.

The Science of Thread Engagement Percentage

Most machinists are taught the traditional rule of thumb targeting 75% thread engagement. However, empirical tensile testing proves that any engagement above 60% provides over 95% to 100% of the bolt's ultimate tensile fracture strength. The bolt will snap in tension before the internal threads strip!

Conversely, forcing an internal thread up from 65% to 80% engagement increases the tap cutting torque by roughly 60%. In tough or work-hardening metals like Inconel, 316 stainless steel, and titanium, this extra torque is the primary cause of tap breakage.

55% – 65% Engagement
Tough Alloys & Deep Holes

Recommended for titanium, tool steels, 304/316 stainless, and hole depths exceeding 1.5× diameter. Minimizes tap friction and breakage risk.

70% – 75% Engagement
General Engineering Standard

The standard industrial choice for mild steels, free-cutting brass, structural steels, and rigid production setups.

75% – 85% Engagement
Soft Non-Ferrous & Plastics

Best suited for low-shear materials like Delrin, nylon, magnesium, or cast aluminum where maximum shear area is needed.

Cut Tap vs. Roll Form (Fluteless) Tap

Cutting Taps

Cutting taps have sharp cutting flutes that slice out chips as the tap advances. They are universal and work in virtually any material, including brittle cast iron.

Formula: Tap Drill = Major Dia - Pitch (Metric)
Formula: Tap Drill = Major Dia - (1 / TPI) (Imperial)

Roll Form (Cold Forming) Taps

Form taps have no flutes or cutting edges; they cold-form the metal by plastic deformation. This creates stronger grain structures and zero chips, but requires ductile metals (aluminum, brass, mild steel) and a larger pre-drill hole.

Formula: Form Drill = Major Dia - (0.5 × Pitch) (Metric)
Formula: Form Drill = Major Dia - (0.0068 × % / TPI) (Imperial)