Rivet Nuts

Rivet Nuts: Reliable Solutions for Blind Installations

Rivet nuts, commonly called blind threaded inserts or blind rivet nuts, are mechanical fasteners that are inserted into thin gauge, brittle, or tubed material and allow for quick and easy blind installation (where access is only available on the installation side of the material). They can even be installed after painting without the need for thread masking and without deforming or damaging the parent material. The rivet nut features a hollow threaded shaft that accepts mating threaded fasteners, like a bolt or screw, and is used when the mating material cannot support that fastener by itself. This is why rivets are commonly used with thin materials like sheet metal.

The reason rivet nuts are blind threaded inserts is because of one unique feature: their collapsible body. Rather than needing additional fasteners (like hex nuts) on both sides to stay in place, they are installed with a rivet nut tool that is inserted into the hollow threaded shank and pulls the shank body up to pinch or expand on the blind side, locking it into place. This does not damage the threads - the threads are safely housed within the body, which features an unthreaded section designed to deform during installation.

Huyett offers a wide range of rivet nuts in two distinct collapsing styles:

Bulging: The top of the rivet body is pulled up and bulges out just under the mating material to pinch it between the rivet head and the rest of the threaded shank. These are available with a circular or hex body to fit different holes and a plain, slotted, or knurled body to provide different types of holding security. The ends can be closed or open to either protect the mating fastener or allow them to be longer than the rivet.
Swaging: The bottom threaded section of the shank is pulled up inside the top of the body, forcing the top material to expand and lodge the rivet into place. The bottom section is tapered so it is small enough to initially fit into the upper body but large enough at the end to push the material out. These rivets feature open ends to allow for fasteners that are longer than the threaded body section.

Application Considerations

Before choosing a blind threaded insert for your application, there are several factors to consider to ensure optimal performance.

Volume: Are you working with a fast-pace commercial application environment, or a smaller, perhaps custom project? This will impact the type of installation tool you choose, which is also dependent on the rivet nut in question.
Base Material: What is the mating material? Is it strong or soft material? This will help you determine the appropriate rivet nut characteristics (heavy-duty, hex body, round body, etc.) and the right tool - whether manual, automatic, torque- or pressure-applying - is right for the job.
Holding Power: If you need your threaded inserts to provide extra holding power, you may consider a wedge-head, slotted-body, or knurled-body style.
Mating Fastener: Consider the characteristics of the threaded fastener you intend to use. This will impact whether the rivet nut is closed or open at the end, or whether you need a stud-style rivet nut to fasten a hex nut rather than a bolt or screw. If you anticipate dealing with fastener misalignment, you may want to consider a threaded insert with floating threads.
Application Environment: If your fastener assembly is exposed to extreme temperatures, dirt and debris, lubrication, or other damaging elements, evaluate the materials and finishes available for your rivet nut for a corrosion-resistant option. If you need to seal out water or other liquids, consider a nut with a sealed head.

Benefits

When used appropriately, these unique fasteners offer an array of benefits in a variety of applications.

Variety: Huyett offers rivet nuts with slotted, plain, thick, thin, hex, round, and knurled bodies with standard, reduced, heavy-duty, wedge, or sealed heads, all of which are available in a range of materials and sizes, so you can find the fastener with all the right characteristics to fit your needs.
Blind Installation: The blind nature of these components make them ideal for applications that do not offer access to the back side.
Versatility for Mating Fasteners: By adding secure threads to thin materials, the mating material can accept a much broader range of threaded fasteners without the risk of damage that would occur without the rivet nut.
Economical: These small fasteners create cost-efficient, long-lasting connections in delicate materials, making them essential components in blind installations.

Do You Need a Special Tool to Install Rivet Nuts?

Yes. To ensure proper installation, it is important you use a rivet nut tool. These are either automatic or manual components that feature a threaded mandrel. The nut threads onto the mandrel, and the tool will either apply pressure or torque to pull the nut into place.

There are a variety of tools to choose from that work well in different scenarios. There are power tools with pistol grips, right angles, and inline styles to accommodate different spaces, and hand tools that use leverage for installation and are well suited for smaller projects.

Can Rivet Nuts be Removed?

Yes. There are special removal tools, but they can also be removed with a power drill and drill bit (if you need to try and reduce damage to the mating material). Another option would be to grind off the head and punch out the body, although this will almost certainly cause damage. This isn't a problem if you don't need to reuse the material, but it is something to consider.