Pull-type rivet nuts, also known as rivet nuts, blind nuts, or instant blind nuts, are specialized fasteners designed for thin sheets, often hailed as "the perfect match for thin sheets." They are widely used in the fastening industry, particularly in assembling electromechanical and light industrial products such as automobiles, aviation, railways, refrigeration systems, elevators, switches, instruments, furniture, and decorative items. Rivet nuts were developed to overcome the drawbacks of traditional methods like welding nuts onto thin metal sheets or tubes (which can cause melting) or tapping internal threads (which risks stripping).
Rivet nuts come in various head styles (flat, small, hexagonal, semi-hexagonal), types (through-hole or blind-hole), and with or without knurling.
Key Features of Rivet Nuts
- No Internal Thread Tapping Required: Rivet nuts eliminate the need for pre-tapping internal threads on thin sheets, simplifying installation.
- No Welding Needed: Unlike welded nuts, rivet nuts avoid issues like melting or surface distortion caused by welding.
- Secure Riveted Connection: Using a riveting tool, the rivet nut is firmly anchored to the thin sheet, providing a reliable internal threaded connection.
- Broad Applicability: Suitable for sheets and tubes of varying thicknesses (0.5mm–6mm), meeting diverse application needs.
- Ease of Use: Pneumatic or manual rivet guns enable quick, one-step installation.
How Do Rivet Nuts Work?
The working principle of rivet nuts combines elements of blind rivets and welded nuts. A rivet gun’s screw pulls the rivet nut, causing it to compress longitudinally. This creates a bulge at the end surface, clamping the materials together and achieving a secure joint.
Installation Precautions for Rivet Nuts
Rivet nuts have gained popularity in recent years as a solution for fastening components where welding is challenging, offering an alternative to traditional welding methods. However, installing them requires specialized tools like manual rivet nut setters. Before use, note the following:
1.Tool Inspection: Ensure the tool’s mandrel and die are correctly installed. Select the appropriate die head and pull bolt based on the rivet nut size, and verify all connections are secure.
2.Deformation Control: Adjust the operating lever angle according to the required deformation length or displacement of the nut.
3.Stroke Adjustment: Use the tool’s scale ring to set the riveting stroke. To adjust the pull bolt length: Open the handles and extend the die head sleeve until the bolt protrudes slightly beyond the nut length. Tighten the adjusting nut against the tool body.
4.Installation Steps:
Fully pull out the bakelite grip.
Place the rivet nut onto the pull bolt tip and hold it firmly.
Push the bakelite grip back and screw on the die head bolt.
Insert the rivet nut into the pre-drilled hole.
Forcefully squeeze the handles to expand the nut and clamp the workpiece.
Pull back the bakelite ball to retract the pull bolt, completing installation.
Application Scenarios: Where Rivet Nuts Excel
Rivet nuts solve fastening challenges where traditional methods fail, especially in confined spaces, thin materials, or high-vibration environments. Below are key scenarios highlighting their strategic value:
1. Automotive & Aerospace
- Body Panels & Chassis: Mounting sensors, brackets, or trim on thin car doors/hoods without welding distortion.
- Engine Bays: Securing heat shields or wiring harnesses in tight spaces near exhaust systems.
- Aircraft Interiors: Attaching seats, overhead bins, or insulation to hollow aluminum frames (welding prohibited).
Why rivet nuts?
- Preserve material integrity (no heat stress).
- Withstand vibration without loosening (knurled design resists rotation).
2. Electronics & Enclosures
- Server Racks: Adding threaded points to sheet-metal cabinets for grounding or component mounting.
- HVAC Systems: Fastening filters or sensors to thin ductwork (0.5–1mm thickness).
- Industrial Control Panels: Creating serviceable ports on sealed enclosures (blind-hole nuts prevent dust ingress).
3. Furniture & Architecture
- Glass Facades: Creating invisible mounting points for frameless glass balustrades.
- Modular Furniture: Reinforcing joints in thin steel frames (e.g., office partitions).
- Elevator Cars: Attaching control panels to brushed stainless steel surfaces (no visible weld marks).
Why Choose Rivet Nuts Over Alternatives?
| Scenario |
Traditional Method |
Rivet Nut Advantage |
| Thin sheet (≤1mm) |
Welding |
No burn-through; preserves material strength |
| Blind-side fastening |
Bolt + Nut (two-side access) |
Single-side installation; no internal access needed |
| Vibration-heavy zones |
Self-tapping screws |
Zero backout risk; permanent deformation locks threads |
| Corrosion-prone areas |
Adhesives |
Mechanical bond unaffected by chemicals/UV degradation |
FINEX: Your Precision Fastening Partner
As a specialized manufacturer of custom fasteners since 2002, FINEX combines engineering expertise with agile manufacturing to solve your most challenging connection problems. We deliver:
- Tailored Rivet Nuts – Optimized for material thickness, load requirements, and harsh environments.
- Rapid Prototyping to Mass Production – From 10-piece validation batches to 5M+/month volumes.
- Certified Quality – IATF 16949 & ISO 14001 certified with 100% torque testing.
Leverage our 20+ years of industry experience across automotive, aerospace, and robotics. Need a reliable thin-sheet fastening solution?
→ Contact us: alianchen@finexfasteners.com for a free design consultation.
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