Seft-tapping screws into aluminum heat sink???

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

DO you think these screws would self tap into solid aluminum? I am directly attaching 12 SSRs to a big ass heat sink and this would make life easier for me because I would not have to locate, center punch, drill, and tap each hole....


Mcmaster #90415A330

http://www.mcmaster.com/#90415a330

They have a hardened tip???

Thanks for the input.

 

[motobrewer]

self-tapping into a solid block of aluminum?

i don't think so.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

Just noticed the recommended material thickness.... 0.098".

Thread over.

 

[motobrewer]

sorry. maybe try just setting them on with thermal paste and epoxying over them? not sure how well epoxy sticks to aluminum...

or just thru hole and use a nut. eliminates tapping

 

[Homercidal]

Yeah. Maybe consider pre drilling? Those are for sheet metal.

 

[Boerderij_Kabouter]

Meh. I will just tap some threaded holes in. Just thought it would be slick to just screw 'em in. Not that much work to do it right, and it's probably the way I should go anyway.