What Is A Rivet Nut?

Rivet nut (also known as self-locking nuts or nuts) are a special fastener that are fastened to a thin plate or pipe by riveting technology. Used to create thread connections if you cannot operate from the back or if the material is thin. Its main features are as follows:
1.Structure and principles
Structure: consists nut body and rivets. The valve body has an internal threaded and an external riveting deformation structure (such as a a hexagon or circle with flanges).
How it works: A special tool,such as a rivet gun, exerts tension that deforms and expands the riveting portion and holds it in place in the mounting hole to form a fixture. No welding or tapping is required to create threaded holes in thin plates.
2.Core Advantages
Single sided installation: does not need to operate from behind the material and is suitable for enclosed structures or spaces (e.g. body or appliance housings).
High-strength connection: after riveting has Excellent tensile and shear strength, can withstand large load.
Anti-loosening design: Some models have built-in anti-loosening structures such as nylon washers to reduce vibration-induced loosening. Material Compatibility: Suitable for metals (aluminum, steel, stainless steel, etc.) and some nonmetallic materials (e.g. engineering plastics, etc.).
Quick Installation: no pretap wire, installation efficiency is far higher than traditional nut + bolt combinations.
3.Classification and specification
By head shape:
Flat Head Rivet Nuts: Suitable for applications that require a smooth surface.
Counterhead Rivet Nuts: Head can be inserted into the material and rinsed with the surface.
Hexagonal Head Rivet Nuts: provides more torque for high strength requirements.
By material: Carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, can adapt to different environments (e.g., corrosion resistance, lightweight).
Threaded dimensions: General dimensions M3 to M12 to match different bolt diameters.
4.Application Scenarios
Automotive industry: fixed interior door panels, seats, dashboard and other components.
Electronic equipment: assembly of computer cases, server racks and communications equipment housings.
Aerospace: Connects lightweight structural components, such as aircraft skin and satellite brackets.
Architectural Decoration: Installing of metal curtain walls, billboard frame, etc.
Industrial equipment: Used for fixing piping, valves and machine housings.
V. Installation Steps
Drilling: Drilling a hole in a material that matches the outer diameter of a rivet nut.
Insert: Place the rivet nut into the hole to make sure the head is flush with the material surface.
Riveting: Use a rivet gun to clamp the tail of the riveting nut and apply tension until the deformation is fully inflated.
Check: Make sure the nuts are fastened and not loose or deformed.
6.Difference from regular nuts
Installation Method: Rivet nuts are fixed by deformation, common nuts require bolts and gaskets.
Applicable Scenarios: Thin plate Rivet nuts; thick plate common nut or require double-sided operation.
Reusable: Rivet nuts can be used in one use, ordinary nuts can be removed and packed multiple times.
7.Preventive measures
Drill diameter match: hole diameter must be strictly in accordance with rivet nut specification, otherwise, may lead to installation failure.
Material Thickness: Select the appropriate rivet nut length according to the thickness of the material to avoid osmosis or unstable fixation.
Tool choice: Use a special rivet gun to ensure even tension and avoid damaging rivet nuts or materials.
Rivet nuts, with their efficient and reliable connection, have become the first choice of fixed plate structure in modern manufacturing. They are widely used in the fields of large installation space, high efficiency and high strength.