Designation: C954 − 15

Standard Specification for

Steel Drill Screws for the Application of Gypsum Panel
Products or Metal Plaster Bases to Steel Studs from 0.033
in. (0.84 mm) to 0.112 in. (2.84 mm) in Thickness1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C954; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.

1. Scope* for Screw Application of Gypsum Panel Products and

1.1 This specification covers minimum requirements for Metal Plaster Bases
steel drill screws for use in fastening gypsum panel products or C1396/C1396M Specification for Gypsum Board
metal plaster bases to steel members from 0.033 in. (0.84 mm) C1513 Specification for Steel Tapping Screws for Cold-
to 0.112 in. (2.84 mm) in thickness. Formed Steel Framing Connections
1.2 This specification also covers physical properties and 3. Terminology
test methods for determining performance requirements.
3.1 Definitions:
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded 3.1.1 For definitions relating to gypsum and related building
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical materials and systems, see Terminology C11.
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
and are not considered standard. 3.2.1 steel drill screw, n—self-drilling tapping screw with
1.4 The following safety hazards caveat pertains only to the the ability to drill its own hole, form or cut mating threads
test methods described in this specification. This standard does without deforming its own threads or breaking during assem-
not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, bly.
associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this
standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices 4. Materials
and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior 4.1 Screws shall be manufactured from Grade 1018 to 1022
to use. steel wire manufactured in accordance with Specification
A510.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2 5. Physical Properties
A510 Specification for General Requirements for Wire Rods 5.1 Metallurgical Requirements:
and Coarse Round Wire, Carbon Steel 5.1.1 The surface of the screw shall be carbonitrided to a
C11 Terminology Relating to Gypsum and Related Building depth of 0.004 to 0.008 in. (0.10 to 0.20 mm).
Materials and Systems 5.1.2 The core hardness shall be 32 to 40 HRC after being
C847 Specification for Metal Lath drawn at a minimum temperature of 625°F (330°C).
C955 Specification for Load-Bearing (Transverse and Axial) 5.1.3 The screw shall have no band of free ferrite between
Steel Studs, Runners (Tracks), and Bracing or Bridging the case and core nor shall the case contain appreciable
amounts of retained austenite or other soft constituents.
1
5.1.4 Surface hardness shall be determined by a micro
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C11 on
Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems and is the direct responsibility hardness instrument at “the root of the thread profile,” as
of Subcommittee C11.02 on Specifications and Test Methods for Accessories and exposed by removal of enough material to form a flat surface
Related Products. along the length of the screw.
Current edition approved June 1, 2015. Published June 2015. Originally
5.1.5 Ductility—Screws shall have sufficient ductility to be
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as C954 – 11. DOI:
10.1520/C0954-15. able to withstand a 5° bend without visible signs of fracture
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or when tested as specified in paragraph 8.2.1 of Specification
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM C1513.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 5.2 Dimensions and Permissible Variations:

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 C954 − 15
5.2.1 General: 7.2 Screws shall be straight, clean, smooth, neatly formed,
5.2.1.1 Head Diameter— The head of the screw shall not be and free of defects such as burrs and deformations.
out of round more than 0.021 in. (0.51 mm) and have the
following shape and dimensions: 8. Sampling
5.2.1.2 Screw Diameter— Screws shall have a major diam- 8.1 Obtain not less than 90 screws from not less than five
eter not less than 0.136 in. (3.45 mm). containers.
5.2.1.3 Points, shall provide for self-drilling into steel studs
from 0.333 in. (0.84 mm) to 0.112 in. (2.84 mm) in thickness 9. Number of Tests and Retests
and meet the performance tests in Section 6. 9.1 Test a minimum of five screws for each test. If any of the
5.2.1.4 Driving Recess, shall be a No. 2 “Phillips” design first lot fails, test 25 more screws.
with a minimum depth of 0.104 in. (2.64 mm) as determined
with a “Phillips” penetration depth gage or a recess of equal 9.2 If two or more of the second lot fail the second test, then
performance. the represented lot fails to meet the specified requirements.
5.2.1.5 Length—Nominal lengths shall be minimum length.
10. Metal Lath Test Method
5.2.2 Screws for Fastening Gypsum Board:
5.2.2.1 Screw-head minimum diameter shall be 0.3145 in. 10.1 Summary of Test Method:
(8.00 mm). 10.1.1 This test method utilizes steel screws designed for
5.2.2.2 The top of the head shall be flat. The outer flange use to hold metal plaster base materials applied with power-
thickness shall be 0.025 6 0.005 in. (0.64 6 0.13 mm). The driven screw guns of 2500 rpm maximum to steel studs.
contour beneath the flange head shall be such that the screw 10.2 Significance and Use:
head shall be able to be driven so that the head of the screw 10.2.1 This test method evaluates the ability of steel drill
rests immediately below the surface of the gypsum panel screws used to secure metal plaster bases to certain steel
products. framing members.
5.2.2.3 For screws less than 11⁄2 in. (38 mm) overall length, 10.2.2 The test shall be conducted in a laboratory or on-site.
the threads shall extend to the lower edge of the head contour.
5.2.3 Screws for Fastening Metal Plaster Bases: 10.3 Apparatus:
5.2.3.1 Screw head minimum diameter shall be 0.437 in. 10.3.1 Power-Driven Drill Screw Gun, capable of 2500 rpm
(11.1 mm). (free spindle speed) with a depth-sensitive nose piece, supplied
5.2.3.2 The top of the head shall be flat or contoured. The with a screw driving bit to fit the screw used in the test.
underside of the head shall be flat. 10.3.2 Vice, or similar device, to support the stud during the
5.2.3.3 The threads shall extend to the underside of the test.
head. 10.3.3 Clamp—Locking pliers (for example, Vise-Grips),
6 in. (152 mm).
6. Performance Requirements 10.4 Materials:
6.1 Spin-Out: 10.4.1 Steel Stud—Specification C955, one section of
6.1.1 Screws shall self-drill and drive into a stud 0.0538 in. 0.033-in. thick stud (0.84 mm).
(1.4 mm) thick with an approximate hardness of 65 HRB 10.4.2 Gypsum Wallboard— Specification C1396/C1396M,
without spin-out. Type X, 5⁄8 in. (16 mm) thick.
6.1.2 Screws shall self drill and drive into a stud 0.0966 in. 10.4.3 Screw Specimens, to be tested.
(2.5 mm) thick, with a hardness of 80 HRB without spin-out. 10.4.4 Diamond Mesh Metal Lath, Specification C847,
diamond mesh, weight 2.5 lb/yd2 (1.4 kg/m2).
6.2 Performance:
6.2.1 When tested in accordance with Section 10 and 11, 10.5 Procedure for Performance Tests:
screws shall meet the requirements as follows: 10.5.1 Using the screw specimen, attach metal lath to center
6.2.1.1 Gypsum Panel Products—When tested in accor- of a flange of a steel stud which has been securely and rigidly
dance with Section 11, screw threads shall be capable of supported.
pulling the head of the screw below the surface of the gypsum 10.5.1.1 Grasp the metal lath with locking pliers and pull
board steadily in a plane parallel to the plane of the lath. Observe
6.2.1.2 Metal Plaster Bases—When tested in accordance whether the lath tears before it slips out from under the screw
with Section 10, screw threads shall be adequate to pull metal head.
lath tight against the flange of a steel stud 0.033 in. (0.84 mm) 10.6 Precision and Bias—No statement is made regarding
thick so that when subjected to a steady pull, the lath will tear the precision and bias of this test method, since the result of the
and not slip out from under the screw head when tested in test method is reported in nonnumerical terms.
accordance with 10.5.1.
11. Penetration Test Method
7. Finish and Appearance 11.1 Significance and Use—This test method provides a
7.1 Screws shall be corrosion-resistant treated with a mate- procedure for evaluating the ability of steel drill screws to pull
rial which will not inhibit adhesion to joint compounds or the head of a screw below the surface of gypsum wallboard. It
plaster and will not bleed through decorative finishes. shall be used to determine compliance with this specification.

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 C954 − 15
The degree of performance of this test method with service states whether or not there is conformance to the criteria for
performance has not been determined. success specified in the procedure.
11.2 Apparatus—Apparatus shall satisfy the following:
11.2.1 Power-Driven Drill Screw Gun, capable of 2500 rpm 12. Inspection
(free spindle speed) with a depth-sensitive nose piece, supplied 12.1 Inspection of steel drill screws shall be agreed upon by
with a screw driving bit to fit the screw used in the test. the purchaser and the producer or supplier as part of the
11.3 Materials—Materials shall satisfy the following: purchase agreement.
11.3.1 Gypsum Wallboard—Specification C1396/C1396M,
Type X, 5⁄8 in. (16 mm) thick. 13. Rejection and Rehearing
11.3.2 Steel Stud—Specification C955, one section of 0.033- 13.1 Rejection of steel drill screws that fail to conform to
in. thick stud (0.84 mm), one section of 0.0538-in. (1.4 mm) the requirements of this specification shall be reported to the
thick stud with an approximate hardness of 65 HRB, one producer or supplier promptly and in writing within ten
section of 0.0966 in. (2.5 mm) thick stud, with an approximate working days from receipt of shipment by the purchaser.
hardness of 80 HRB. Notice of rejection shall contain a specific statement as to the
11.4 Sampling—As in Section 8. respects in which the screws have failed to conform to the
requirements of this specification. In case of dissatisfaction
11.5 Specimen Preparation: with the results of the test, and at the request of the producer or
11.5.1 Each steel stud shall be cut into test specimens not supplier, such notice of rehearing shall be supported by results
less than 18 in. (460 mm) long. of a test conducted by a mutually agreeable independent
11.5.2 For each test, one piece of gypsum wallboard, 6 in. laboratory.
(150 mm) square, shall be cut from not less than 12 in.
(300 mm) from the edge or end of the gypsum wallboard.
14. Certification
11.6 Procedure:
14.1 When specified in the purchase agreement, the pro-
11.6.1 Assemble the steel stud and gypsum wallboard on a
ducer or supplier shall furnish a report certifying that, at time
rigid, flat surface.
of shipment, the screws were in compliance with the require-
11.6.2 Prior to performing the test, drive several screws to
ments of this specification.
set the depth of the nose piece on the screw gun, allowing the
screws to be driven below the surface of the wallboard without
15. Packaging and Marking
breaking the gypsum wallboard face paper.
11.6.3 Drive the screw using the screw gun, while applying 15.1 Screws shall be packaged in substantial commercial
a force (dead weight and applied force) of 30 lbf (112.2 N). containers constructed so as to preserve the contents in good
Drive the screw to below the surface of the gypsum wallboard. condition and to ensure acceptance and safe delivery by
Record if the screw has spun out and if the head of the screw common or other carriers, at the lowest rate, to the point of
was pulled below the surface of the gypsum wallboard. delivery.
11.7 Number of Tests and Retests: 15.2 The containers shall be so constructed that the contents
11.7.1 Five specimens of members shall be tested. can be partially removed without destroying the container’s
11.7.2 If more than one test specimen fails to meet the ability to serve as a receptacle for the remainder of the
requirements, two more test specimens shall be chosen for contents.
retesting. 15.3 Individual packages and shipping containers shall be
11.8 Report—Report shall indicate all specimens meeting marked with the type and length of screw and the name of the
the requirements of this specification if the screw did not spin manufacturer or distributor.
out; or shall indicate all failing if the screw spun out.
11.9 Precision and Bias—No statement is made about either 16. Keywords
the precision or bias of this test method since the result merely 16.1 steel drill screw; steel self-drilling tapping screw

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 C954 − 15
SUMMARY OF CHANGES

Committee C11 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue (C954 – 11)
that may impact the use of this standard. (June 1, 2015.)

(1) Revised subsection 5.2.2.3.

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