Rivet Nut & Bolt

Understanding Rivet Nuts and Clinch Nuts

Our "Rivet Nut & Bolt" category focuses on solving a specific engineering challenge: how to bolt components onto thin sheet metal, tubing, or plastics. Rivet Nuts (also known as blind threaded inserts) act like a rivet but leave a threaded hole, allowing for installation even when the backside of the work piece is inaccessible. Clinch Nuts are designed to be pressed into ductile metal sheets, causing the host material to flow around the fastener, locking it securely in place.

Material Guide: Stainless Steel vs. Galvanized Steel

Selecting the right material is critical not only for corrosion resistance but also for installation compatibility. Harder host materials may require specific insert hardness levels to install correctly.

Material Option	Corrosion Resistance	Hardness & Strength	Best Use Case
Stainless Steel (304/316)	High to Superior (No plating needed).	Work-hardens during installation. Strong threads.	Food processing, medical devices, outdoor enclosures, and marine environments.
Galvanized Carbon Steel	Moderate (Zinc plated for protection).	High ductility, easier to install in harder sheets.	General automotive assembly, furniture, electrical cabinets, and indoor machinery.

Quality Assurance and Documentation

Thread integrity is vital for assembly safety. We provide EN 10204 Type 3.1 Material Test Certificates (MTC) free of charge upon request. This document verifies the mechanical properties and chemical composition of your batch, ensuring they meet industrial standards. Please indicate your need for an MTC when placing your order. Third-party inspections can also be arranged for an additional fee.

Industrial Applications

Rivet nuts and clinch nuts are foundational in modern manufacturing. In the aerospace and automotive sectors, they allow for the use of lightweight materials without sacrificing the ability to bolt on heavy components. In the electronics industry, clinch nuts are standard for mounting circuit boards and grounding components within server racks and metal casings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Rivet Nut and a Clinch Nut?

The primary difference is the installation method. A Rivet Nut is installed using a tool that pulls the threads to collapse the body (like a blind rivet), clamping it onto the sheet. It can be installed into blind holes. A Clinch Nut is pressed into a pre-punched hole using force (usually a hydraulic press), causing the sheet metal to cold-flow into the nut's undercut. Clinch nuts generally require access to both sides of the sheet during installation.

How do I prevent the rivet nut from spinning in the hole?

Spin-out is a common failure mode. To prevent this, many rivet nuts feature a knurled or ribbed body that bites into the material edge. Alternatively, using a hexagonal-bodied rivet nut in a hex hole provides the ultimate resistance against spinning when high torque is applied to the mating bolt.

Can I install stainless steel clinch nuts into stainless steel sheets?

This requires careful attention. For a clinch nut to install correctly, the nut must be harder than the host sheet. Standard stainless clinch nuts may not be hard enough to clinch into stainless sheets. You typically need specially hardened stainless nuts for stainless panels to ensure the material flows correctly without deforming the fastener itself.