What Are Rivet Nuts?

Rivet nuts, also known as rivnuts, threaded inserts, or blind rivet nuts, are mechanical fasteners used to create a threaded hole in thin materials or materials that are too brittle to be tapped. They are a type of internally threaded fastener that is inserted into a pre-drilled hole and then deformed (typically by pulling or pressing) to anchor the nut securely in place.

As a professional fastener supplier, we are glad to share a more detailed breakdown of rivet nuts.

Structure Of Rivet Nuts:

Body: The main cylindrical portion that contains the internal threads.

Flange: The rim or collar at one end of the body, which provides a larger surface area to distribute the load.

Threaded Section: The internal threading that allows screws or bolts to be inserted.

Types Of Rivet Nuts:

Flat Head: The flange sits flush with the surface, providing a neat appearance.

Countersunk Head: Designed to sit below the surface of the material for a completely flush finish.

Knurled Body: Has a textured surface to prevent spinning in the hole.

Hex Body: Prevents spinning by fitting into a hexagonal hole.

Materials Of Rivet Nuts:

Aluminum: Lightweight and corrosion-resistant.

Steel: Offers high strength.

Stainless Steel: Combines high strength with corrosion resistance.

Brass: Used for its good conductivity and resistance to corrosion.

Installation Process Of Rivet Nuts:

Drill a Hole: A hole is drilled into the workpiece, typically slightly larger than the unexpanded diameter of the rivet nut.

Insert the Rivet Nut: The rivet nut is placed into the hole.

Deform the Rivet Nut: Using a special rivet nut tool (manual, pneumatic, or hydraulic), the rivet nut is deformed. This causes the unthreaded portion to expand and grip the backside of the material.

Threaded Connection: Once installed, a screw or bolt can be threaded into the rivet nut.

Applications Of Rivet Nuts:

Automotive: Attaching components to car frames where only one side is accessible.

Aerospace: For lightweight, high-strength fastening solutions.

Electronics: Securely fastening components to thin panels.

Furniture: Assembling furniture where bolts are preferred over wood screws.

Rivet nuts are particularly useful in applications where the backside of the material is not accessible, making them ideal for “blind” fastening situations. They provide a strong, permanent thread in thin or brittle materials, enhancing the assembly’s structural integrity.

Xinchi is a trustworthy fastener company, especially in furniture nuts. We have a factory,  founded in 2007(Factory Video). And we are the designated fastener supplier to“STAPLE”. As a trusted fastener supplier,  Xinchi can offer a wide range of high-quality fasteners, including T nuts, screws, bolts, rivets, washers, etc. If you want to know more about fasteners or want to wholesale fasteners, please feel free to contact us. And then our experienced and expert service team will reply to you as soon as possible.