A practical guide to chipboard screw sizes, specs, and real‑world choices

I’ve spent enough time on shop floors and at timber yards to learn this the hard way: picking the right chipboard screw is less about brand hype and more about matching size, thread, and coating to the board in front of you. The Multipurpose Countersunk Head Chipboard Screw (PZ2, fully and partially threaded) from Lixinzhuang Industrial, Dingzhou, Hebei, China is a good example—double countersunk head, sharp point, high pull‑out retention. On paper it sounds obvious; in the field, details matter.

Why chipboard screw sizes aren’t one-size-fits-all

In chipboard, MDF, and many hardwoods, the diameter sets holding power while length and thread engagement decide clamping. PZ2 (Pozidriv size 2) is the workshop default for 3.5–5.0 mm diameters—less cam‑out than Phillips, good bite. Double countersunk heads add recess depth and reduce head shear, so the drive bit stays planted—especially handy when you’re finishing flush.

Quick product spec snapshot

Parameter	Spec (≈ / typical)
Diameter (mm)	3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 6.0
Lengths (mm)	16–200 (common in cabinetry: 25–60)
Thread type	Fully or partially threaded (partial ≈ shank length 30–50% of L)
Drive / Head	PZ2 / Double countersunk
Material	C1022 steel, case-hardened
Coatings	Zinc yellow, zinc clear; optional black, Ruspert (availability varies)
Tip	Sharp point for quick start
Use	Chipboard, MDF, hardwood, some plastics

For soft boards, fully threaded builds holding power; for pull‑tight joints (cabinet carcasses), partial thread often clamps better. Many customers say 4.0×40 or 4.0×50 is the sweet spot for 16–19 mm panels.

Manufacturing and testing (what pros quietly look for)

– Materials and methods: wire drawing → cold heading → thread rolling → heat treat (case harden) → coating per ISO 4042 / ASTM B633 → inspection.
– Testing standards: withdrawal per EN 1382; characteristic values for timber fasteners per EN 14592; PZ recess per ISO 4757; plating checks per ISO 4042; NSS salt spray per ISO 9227.
– Indicative data: pull‑out in 18 mm chipboard ≈ 900–1,400 N for 4.0–5.0 mm diameters (real‑world use may vary). Torque to failure is highly substrate‑dependent; use a clutch or set impact driver to low.

Service life? Indoors (dry), zinc‑plated fasteners often look good for years; in damp sites, expect cosmetic corrosion faster. If it’s coastal or humid, consider upgraded coatings.

Where chipboard screw sizes shine

Cabinet carcasses, closet systems, shopfitting, flat‑pack furniture assembly, MDF trims, and light plastic brackets. The double countersunk head helps seat flush without chewing the face—nice when you don’t want to over‑ream laminate.

Vendor snapshot (typical market view)

Vendor	Size range	Coatings	Certs	Lead time	Notes
SXJ (Dingzhou, Hebei)	3.0–6.0 × 16–200	Zn yellow/clear; custom	ISO 9001 (typ.)	2–5 weeks	Factory pricing; bulk
Local big‑box	Popular SKUs only	Zn, black	—	Immediate	Great for emergencies
EU specialist	Wide	Zn, Ruspert, A2	EN 14592 docs	Stock/3–6 wks	Premium pricing

Customization, tips, and two quick case notes

– Custom options: partial‑thread length tailored to board thickness, head stamps, specialty coatings for humidity, bulk packing specs.
– Driving tips: for 4.0 mm in MDF, pilot ≈ 2.5–3.0 mm helps; torque around 5–7 N·m avoids head snap. In hardwood, always pilot.
– Case 1 (cabinet shop): switching from 4.0×45 full thread to 4.0×50 partial improved face‑frame clamping; reduced joint creep after transport.
– Case 2 (expo contractor): 5.0×60 full thread split MDF rails; moved to 4.5×60 partial with 3.0 mm pilot—no splitting, faster assembly.

It seems that the “best” chipboard screw sizes are the ones that let you clamp without swelling or bursting the fibers. Honestly, that’s 80% of the game.

Industries and certifications

Used in furniture, shopfitting, interior joinery, DIY, and light MEP supports. Look for ISO 9001 factories and data referencing EN 14592, EN 1382. If corrosion is a concern, ask for plating per ISO 4042/ASTM B633 and salt‑spray figures per ISO 9227.

Final thought

Start with diameter 4.0 or 4.5, choose partial thread for clamping, and match length to 2–2.5× panel thickness. Tweak from there. Your next box of screws will work a lot harder for you.

Authoritative citations

1. EN 14592: Timber structures — Dowel‑type fasteners.
2. EN 1382: Withdrawal capacity of timber fasteners — Test method.
3. ISO 4757: Screw driving bits — Pozidriv.
4. ISO 4042: Fasteners — Electroplated coatings.
5. ASTM B633: Electrodeposited coatings of zinc on iron and steel.
6. ISO 9227: Corrosion tests in artificial atmospheres — Salt spray tests.
7. DIN 7505: Wood screws (reference for geometry families).