What Is a Rivet Nut and How Does It Work?

If you’re working with thin sheet metal, hollow tubing, or composite panels and need strong, reusable threads, a rivet nut—also known as a blind rivet nut or rivnut—could be the solution. These fasteners are widely used in automotive, furniture, and industrial manufacturing thanks to their easy installation and strong hold, even when only one side of the material is accessible.

Structure of a Blind Rivet Nut

A blind rivet nut consists of a tubular body with internal threads, a flange (either flat or countersunk), and a deformable section near the end. When installed, the deformable part collapses and clamps the nut securely to the material, creating a permanent, load-bearing thread.

Blind rivet nuts come in various types, including round body, hex body, knurled, smooth, open-end, and closed-end styles. Materials like steel, stainless steel, and aluminum are available to meet different strength and corrosion resistance requirements.

Working Principle of a Rivet Nut Installation

Installing a rivet nut is a fast and clean process:

1. A hole is drilled into the workpiece—typically sheet metal or a hollow tube.

2. The rivet nut is inserted into the hole until the flange rests on the surface.

3. Using a rivet nut tool, the internal threads are pulled upward while the body is held in place, causing the bottom section to bulge outward.

4. This deformation locks the rivnut in place, providing a strong, reusable internal thread without needing access to the back side.

This makes rivet nuts ideal for “blind” applications where the rear of the workpiece is enclosed or inaccessible.

Advantages of Rivet Nuts Over Traditional Nuts

Blind Rivet Nut Offers One-Sided Installation

Unlike traditional nuts and bolts, blind rivet nuts can be installed from only one side of the workpiece. This is a major advantage in applications such as automotive bodywork, tubular furniture frames, and enclosures.

Rivet Nut Creates Strong Threads in Thin Materials

A rivet nut allows you to add durable internal threads even in thin materials that are too soft or too shallow for thread tapping. For example, a 0.8 mm steel sheet can support machine screws securely when using a rivet nut.

Rivnut Eliminates the Need for Welding or Tapping

With a rivnut, there’s no need to weld or tap the base material—saving labor, tools, and potential deformation from heat. This also improves consistency and lowers production cost.

Blind Rivet Nut Works with a Variety of Materials

Rivet nuts can be used in metal, plastic, and composite surfaces, offering reliable fastening in mixed-material assemblies. Their ability to grip a wide range of substrates makes them extremely flexible for OEM and aftermarket industries.

Rivet Nut Resists Vibration and Corrosion

Thanks to their mechanical bulge-lock and optional knurled body, rivnuts resist loosening under vibration. Stainless steel and aluminum versions are also highly corrosion-resistant, perfect for outdoor or marine use.

Why Choose XINCHI Fasteners for Rivet Nuts?

At XINCHI Fasteners, we manufacture and supply high-quality blind rivet nuts tailored to global industrial needs. Our strengths include:

• 102 cold-heading machines, ensuring stable and high-efficiency production
• Daily capacity over 10 million pieces, suitable for bulk orders and fast delivery
• A newly expanded factory covering 30,000 square meters, with two modern six-story buildings for production and logistics
• Wide material options, including carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and brass
• Custom designs and surface treatments, such as zinc plating, black oxide, or passivation
• Strict quality control, including thread gauge tests, pull-out resistance, and dimensional inspection

XINCHI is a trustworthy fastener company, especially in furniture nuts. We have a factory,  founded in 2007. We are the designated fastener supplier to“STAPLE”. As a trusted fastener supplier, XINCHI offers a wide range of high-quality fasteners, including nuts, screws, bolts, rivets, and washers. If you would like to learn more about fasteners or are interested in wholesale fasteners, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our experienced and expert service team will reply as soon as possible.

Whether you’re an OEM furniture manufacturer or a supplier of automotive and electronics parts, XINCHI’s rivet nuts provide a reliable and cost-effective fastening solution.