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Taper-X

Taper-X insert (short)

PSM Taper-X is designed for use in 8° tapered holes in plastic components. It provides high pull-out and torque resistance and includes a flange to prevent plastic from escaping or flowing past the insert. Taper-X can be installed either with heat or ultrasonic energy, and its design is self-aligning, making it a reliable, robust threaded insert solution.

Advantages

Selection of Taper-X Inserts

Diagram showing Taper-X single vane insert measurements
Diagram showing Taper X double vane insert measurements
Diagram showing Taper X Hole configuration

Single Vane Metric

Table showing Taper X singe vane insert metric data
Other lengths possible on quotation.

Single Vane Unified

Table showing Taper X single vane insert unified data
STANDARD MATERIAL: BRASS (B)
Other materials and lengths possible on quotation.

Double Vane Metric

Table showing Taper X double vane insert metric data
Other lengths possible on quotation.

Double Vane Unified

Table showing Taper X double vane insert unified data
STANDARD MATERIAL: BRASS (B) Other materials and lengths possible on quotation.

Specifying an Insert

Table showing how to specify Taper X inserts

Taper-X Performance & Use Cases

Taper-X inserts are suitable for applications that demand reliable, serviceable threads in plastic parts. They are particularly useful for deeper holes, high torque loads, or where flange retention is needed to prevent plastic flow past the insert. Common applications include consumer device enclosures, industrial plastic housings, and assemblies where strong, durable threads are required even under repeated use or vibration.

 

Taper-X Boss Design Specification

Hole Preparation

The taper on the hole should be 8° inclusive. The insert is tapered for approximately 1/3 of its length and is
parallel for the remainder. Note: Blind Holes – hole depth should be a minimum of 1 mm or 0.039 inches greater than the length of the insert to be installed.

Selection of Insert Type

Depending on the depth of the hole, the holding power can be increased significantly by selecting the double vane version.

Installation

The fastener may be installed using either a pre-heating process or using heat generated by ultrasonic vibrations. Where preheating is used care must be exercised to ensure that the fastener softens but does not melt the plastic. This will avoid any tendency to generate unsightly “flash” around the top of the insert and could have a detrimental effect on performance. It must be installed flush to provide maximum performance.

Wall Thickness

A general guide to minimum wall thickness is given in the data table but this will vary depending upon the nature of the plastic. Where thinner walls are required these can often be accommodated, but consultation with the P.S.M Technology Centre or local sales office and pre-production testing is strongly advised.

Performance Data

The complexity of materials and variations in service conditions make it impossible to detail fastener performance for specific applications. The chart below gives a general guide and shows the relative performance of the inserts in the range.

Graph showing Taper X Double Vane insert performance data

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Frequently Asked Questions About Taper-X

What is a Taper-X Insert?

A Taper-X Insert (TX) is a specialised brass or metal threaded insert designed for installation into an 8-degree tapered hole in a plastic component, rather than a straight (parallel) bore. The tapered profile allows the insert to wedge progressively into the surrounding plastic as it seats, creating a secure, high-retention threaded fixing point.
An 8-degree tapered hole allows the Taper-X Insert to make progressively increasing contact with the surrounding plastic as it is driven or pressed deeper into the hole, rather than relying on a constant-diameter friction fit. This wedging action increases retention force and helps distribute installation stress more gradually through the plastic boss compared to a straight-bore insert.
The tapered design of the Taper-X Insert allows for a more controlled, progressive engagement with the host plastic during installation, which can improve pull-out resistance and reduce the risk of over-stressing the boss compared to a straight insert pressed into a parallel hole, particularly in applications with precise boss tolerance requirements.
Because the Taper-X Insert relies on its 8-degree taper angle to achieve correct seating depth and retention force, the plastic boss hole must be moulded or machined to match this specific taper angle and corresponding diameter range. PSM’s dimensional data sheet specifies the exact tapered hole dimensions required for each Taper-X Insert size.
A standard straight-bore insert is installed into a constant-diameter hole and relies on its external knurl or barb geometry for retention. A Taper-X Insert is installed into an 8-degree tapered hole, using the taper itself — combined with its exterior geometry — to create a progressive wedging action as it seats, which can offer different retention characteristics suited to specific boss designs.

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