For those looking for a fastener that works with thin materials, rivet nuts will be very useful. Also known as blind rivet nuts or blind nuts, rivet nuts feature a tubular round, splined, square, hexagonal or half-hexagonal body. Rivet nuts are becoming increasingly popular as the manufacturing trend seems to shift towards lighter substrates, including aluminium or steel skins, composites, plastics, and more. Here are five things you should know to make the most of rivet nuts:
How do you choose the right rivet nut?
There are different types of rivet nuts used for several applications. Before you purchase from your rivet suppliers, here are a few aspects to consider.
- Grip Range: One of the major aspects. The material thickness must be within the grip range of the rivet nuts.
- Hole Size: The sizes of rivet nuts are generally available in M3, M4, M5, M6, M8, M10 and M12 (M16 is also available for some special occasions, make sure you have the rivet nut tool to install it). For each size of rivet nuts, hole size may vary. Select the suitable range to fit your pre-drilled hole.
- Body Type: As mentioned above, rivet nuts come in round, splined, square, hexagonal and half-hexagonal shapes. Pick the most appropriate shape suited to your application.
- Low-Profile Head/Countersunk or Large Flange: If you want an almost flush finish, use a low-profile or countersunk rivet nut. A large flange head provides a load-bearing surface and reinforces the hole to prevent push-out.
- Open or Closed: Choose between open-end and closed-end rivet nuts. The latter is used when you don’t want elements such as water and dust to enter the assembly. This is especially important for automotive applications.
- Material: Pick the correct material rivet nut from aluminium, steel, stainless steel (A2 or A4 stainless) and rubber. Galvanic corrosion could occur when two different metals are joined together. For example, we generally don’t install a steel rivet nut to a stainless steel sheet. A coating such as zinc will help to minimise the contact area if needed.
What can rivet nuts be used for?
Rivet nuts are a versatile solution for providing load-bearing threads in many applications. First of all, to join materials permanently and provide a load-bearing thread; Second, to provide a reusable thread in single and thin sheet materials down to 0.5mm; Third, installation into the enclosed workpiece, i.e., when access is only available from one side. This speeds up assembly.
What industry are rivet nuts used for?
Rivet nuts are instrumental in manufacturing processes. They can be spotted in a wide range of industries, from automotive, aerospace and electronics to general uses, including bicycles, furniture, boats, swimming pools, solar panels, refrigerators, medical technology, and more.
What material can rivet nuts be used with?
One of the benefits of rivet nuts is that they can provide robust threads that can hold considerable weight. Rivet nuts can be used with many materials, including housings, castings, tubes, panels, extrusions, and much more. Rivet Nuts can also be installed in various material thicknesses, thanks to their wide grip range.
Installing rivet nuts is also pretty easy, which brings us to the next point.
Use the Right Rivnut Tool with it:
A notable benefit of rivet nut is its relatively lower installation costs when compared to other fasteners. When installing rivet nuts, choose any of the following rivnut tools: Spin-Spin tool, Spin-Pull tool, and Pull-to-Pressure tool. While selecting a rivnut tool, see if you want a hand tool or a power tool. If you are considering a power tool, pick one that’s battery-operated. Whichever you choose, always prioritise safety and ease of usage.
If you are looking to purchase quality rivet nuts, get in touch with reliable rivet suppliers today and let them know what you need.