ADIT BAUTO stainless-steel bi-metal self-drilling screw

BAUTO Bi-Metal Self-Drilling Screw

BAUTO stainless-steel bi-metal self-drilling screw for steel — drills steel and aluminium up to 12 mm in a single action, with an SS304 body and Silver Ruspert corrosion protection.

Bi-metal — SS304 body + hardened drill tipDrills steel up to 12 mmSilver Ruspert coatingM8 hex socketEPDM sealing washer option

The Adit self-drilling screw family

Choose the right self-drilling screw for your material, thickness and corrosion environment.

Technical specification

PropertyBAUTO — bi-metal stainless-steel self-drilling screw
CharacteristicsBi-metal self-drilling screw for steel (up to 12 mm)
MaterialHead + threaded section: SS304 · Drill tip: SAE J403 1022 steel
Corrosion protectionSilver Ruspert Coating
HeadM8 hex socket
Installation toolHigh-speed screwdriver (1000-1800 rpm)
OptionEPDM ARVUL sealing washer

Downloads

Instructional & field-test videos

What is the ADIT BAUTO stainless-steel bi-metal self-drilling screw? A full explanation

The professional stainless-steel self-drilling screw, known in the industry as the premium bi-metal self-drilling screw from the ADIT BAUTO series, is a breakthrough engineered fastening solution that combines two metals in a single action. The screw is built from a high-grade stainless-steel body topped by a powerful drill tip made of hard, hardened steel. This advanced construction lets the screw drill through especially thick steel on its own, thread into it, and create a tight connection in one continuous action — with no need for pre-punching or pre-drilling a pilot hole.

Unlike ordinary screws that require lengthy preparation, using the BAUTO bi-metal self-drilling screw saves critical work stages, prevents drill-bit wear and provides complete protection against rust. The direct result is a massive reduction in working time, savings on tools in the field and a significantly lower overall installation cost.

When do you use the BAUTO stainless-steel self-drilling screw? The BAUTO screw series is designed for applications that demand high load capacity and maximum corrosion resistance: connecting heavy steel profiles, aluminium structures, mounting insulated panels and building envelopes in aggressive environments, the chemical industry, outdoor applications and demanding structures.

The advantages of the ADIT BAUTO bi-metal stainless-steel screw

  • Phenomenal drilling ability: Direct drilling of up to 12 mm of steel or aluminium profile thickness, effortlessly and without a pilot hole.
  • True bi-metal technology: A perfect engineering combination of a rust-resistant SS304 stainless-steel body and a hard, hardened steel drill tip.
  • Proven durability in aggressive environments: The screw carries a Silver Ruspert coating that resists galvanic corrosion and guarantees many years of durability in harsh outdoor conditions.
  • Certified technical data: Accurate pull-out, shear and design-load values, tested and defined for contractors and engineers who require complete structural precision.
  • Support and specification compliance: A complete solution accompanied by detailed load tables and designed to meet the most stringent building standards.

Certified technical data — BAUTO bi-metal self-drilling screw (ST 5.5 diameter)

The following data forms the engineering basis for safe structural design using the BAUTO stainless-steel self-drilling screw. All values in the tables are given in kN for a single fastener.

Load table — connection to steel profile (ST 5.5)

Defined load parameter (kN)Steel 2 mmSteel 3.5 mmSteel 5 mm
Characteristic failure load — pull-out (Nrk)5.38.612.5
Characteristic failure load — shear (Vrk)4.84.84.8
Structural design load — pull-out (Nrd)2.54.05.8
Structural design load — shear (Vrd)3.93.93.9
Recommended service load — pull-out (Nrec)1.82.94.2
Recommended service load — shear (Vrec)2.82.82.8

Load table — connection to aluminium profile (ST 5.5)

Defined load parameter (kN)Aluminium 2 mmAluminium 3 mmAluminium 4 mm
Characteristic failure load — pull-out (Nrk)2.94.56.3
Characteristic failure load — shear (Vrk)4.84.84.8
Structural design load — pull-out (Nrd)1.32.12.9
Structural design load — shear (Vrd)3.93.93.9
Recommended service load — pull-out (Nrec)1.01.52.1
Recommended service load — shear (Vrec)2.82.82.8

Geometry and mechanical dimensions — ADIT BAUTO

The professional screw series offers precise dimensions that ensure a perfect fit for working with steel and heavy structures:

Screw typeOuter diameter incl. thread (D)Recommended steel thickness (mm)Drill-tip length Z (mm)Drill-tip diameter dp (mm)Pitch P (mm)Hex socket e (mm)Head thickness K (mm)Washer diameter dk (mm)
BAUTO ST 5.55.46 mm2.0 – 12.0 mm16 mm5.1 mm1.06 mm8 mm5.3 mm11 mm

Installation guide and working parameters — bi-metal self-drilling screw

  1. Marking and entry point: It is recommended to make a light punch mark (using a center punch) at the intended entry point. This action centres the screw’s drill tip and prevents it from slipping on the stainless-steel or steel surface.
  2. Choosing the tool and driving the screw: BAUTO screws can be driven with a professional, suitable impact driver. Maintain constant pressure and keep the screw straight (at a 90-degree angle) to the base material in order to prevent deformation or breakage.
  3. Regulating speed and working torque: Adjusting the rotation speed (RPM) is critical to successful direct drilling:
    • Recommended drilling speed in steel: 1000 – 1800 rpm.
    • Recommended drilling speed in stainless steel: 600 – 1000 rpm.
    • Maximum permitted drilling time: up to 11 seconds.
    • Maximum installation torque: 6.2 Newton-metres (Nm).
  4. Finishing the tightening and stopping: Stop the driving action immediately once the screw head or washer contacts the profile. If an EPDM rubber sealing washer is used, make sure it is pressed evenly and fully seals against water ingress, but is not crushed or deformed.

Self-drilling screw models and fastening solutions in the ADIT catalogue

  • BAUTO / BAUTO EPDM: The company’s flagship series. A stainless-steel self-drilling screw built as a bi-metal self-drilling screw with an exceptional drilling ability of up to 12 mm of steel thickness. Available in lengths of 40, 50, 65, 80 and 100 mm, with the option of a UV-resistant EPDM sealing washer to prevent water ingress.
  • ABE: A classic self-drilling steel screw, hex head with washer and cold galvanizing for indoor environments.
  • ABEI: A self-drilling screw made entirely of solid 304SS stainless steel, suitable for outdoor and coastal environments.
  • BIE / BIE A4: A bi-metal screw combining a stainless-steel body and a hard steel drill tip for fast drilling in stainless steel and hard steels (also available in A4/316SS grade).
  • AUTO: A self-drilling screw fitted with an extra-long drill tip for direct drilling into heavy, thick profiles.
  • PS3 / PSL: Extra-long dedicated screws supplied with wide EPDM sealing washers, designed for insulated panel and roofing applications.
  • ABP / ABR: Self-drilling screws with aesthetic, decorative heads — a countersunk conical head (ABP) or a round flat head (ABR).
  • RSZ / RS A2: Self-drilling screws with a small, fine wafer head, ideal for delicate joints, aluminium work and fine frames.

Advanced engineering consultancy at ADIT Ltd.

The market is full of cheap screws that tend to break under shear loads, rust quickly or fail during drilling. ADIT Ltd. provides its customers with a complete engineering package that includes professional support, certified load tables and assistance in accurately calculating the required screw diameter and length. The company’s engineers are always available to ensure standard-compliant, safe and economical structural design in the field.

Frequently asked questions

What is a bi-metal self-drilling screw and why is it considered the leading solution for thick steel?
A bi-metal self-drilling screw is a screw manufactured with an advanced technology that welds two different metals together: the screw body and thread are made of stainless steel (such as SS304), giving perfect resistance to corrosion and rust, while the screw tip and drill flute are made of especially hard, hardened carbon steel. This combination lets it drill directly into hard, thick steel without the tip wearing down or breaking, while at the same time providing a long-term solution that does not rust.
Under what conditions and specifications must an ADIT BAUTO stainless-steel self-drilling screw be used?
You must use a product such as the BAUTO stainless-steel self-drilling screw in any application involving outdoor conditions, high humidity, proximity to the sea (an aggressive marine environment) or the chemical industry. Likewise, when connecting aluminium elements to profiles, using a plain steel screw would cause destructive galvanic corrosion that would break the connection; using a bi-metal stainless-steel screw completely prevents this phenomenon and protects the structure.
Can a bi-metal stainless-steel self-drilling screw really drill 12 mm steel without pre-drilling?
Yes, absolutely. The ADIT BAUTO series is engineered with an especially long and strong drill tip, 16 mm in length. This mechanical structure allows the screw to perform efficient direct drilling into thick steel or aluminium profiles ranging from 2 mm up to 12 mm thick, with no need to prepare a hole or use external drill bits in the field.
What speed and torque parameters are recommended for BAUTO screws to prevent installation failure?
To prevent the drill tip from breaking or wearing out, work with a suitable driver according to the material being penetrated: when working on a steel profile, aim for a speed of 1000-1800 rpm, and when working on a stainless-steel profile, work at a lower speed of 600-1000 rpm. Also be careful not to exceed the maximum tightening torque of 6.2 Nm and not to exceed a continuous drilling time of 11 seconds.
Why is the EPDM sealing washer important in self-drilling and self-tapping screws?
When drilling directly into sheet-metal roofs, insulated panels or external wall cladding, the screw creates a passage through the metal that could let rainwater and moisture into the structure. BAUTO screws that include an EPDM washer come with a special rubber disc that is exceptionally resistant to UV radiation and harsh weather conditions. When tightened correctly, the rubber presses hermetically around the hole and completely prevents water ingress.
What is the difference between the characteristic failure load (Nrk) and the design load (Nrd) shown in the ADIT tables?
The characteristic failure load (Nrk) represents the maximum load point at which the connection or screw failed and ruptured during destructive laboratory testing. In contrast, the design load (Nrd) is the safe value used for actual engineering calculations, obtained after dividing the failure load by stringent safety factors according to the international standards. You must never design a structural project directly according to the failure loads.

Planning a steel or aluminium fastening project? Tell us the profile thickness, material and load — our engineers will help you select the right BAUTO screw length and send you the certified load tables.

Talk to our engineers