A Users Guide to the Different Rivet Nut Options.

A rivet nut, also known as a nutsert or rivnut, is a type of fastener that combines the functionality of a rivet and a nut. A threaded insert that can be installed into thin materials such as sheet metal, plastics, fibreglass and more which facilitates a threaded bolt or similar to be used in the material where a stand alone bolt & nut would fail because their clamping force could distort or break the material. Commonly used by manufacturers of tubular furniture, switchboards, kitchen & laundry appliances, refrigeration, air-conditioning, and metal cabinets. Rivet nuts are predominatley available in steel, stainless or aluminuim and feature a hollow threaded body to house a mating fastener. Installation is easy via a nutsert tool, which is used to compress the rivet nut into the material, creating a secure blindside flange that holds the nut to the material with a permanent thread.   

Rivet nuts are available in metric sizes M3, M4, M5, M6, M8, M10 and M12 plus select imperial rivet nut sizes; 3/16',1/4'/, 5/16', and 3/8'. These measurements relate to their internal thread size and not the body diameter. Their main advantage, just like pop rivets is that they are blind. Meaning these fasteners can be installed securely from one side of the work piece. No need to struggle and stretch around the back of the bolt to fasten. Once the rivnut is installed, you can fasten the material with any compatible externally threaded fastener and you’re set. 

Key features of rivet nuts:

Rivet nuts offer a number of advantages that make them suitable for 101 applications where a blind rivet won’t work including appliances, automotive manufacturing, office furniture, playground equipment, solar installations, electronics, boats, pools and hot tubs, military equipment, and even bicycles. 

1. Blind installation: Rivet nuts can be installed from one side of the material, making them useful for closed sections like tubing or where access to the other side is limited.
2. Threaded insert: They provide a strong permanent internal thread in materials that are often too thin to support a threaded fastener like a bolt & nut combo  or a machine screw.
3. Versatile applications: Commonly used in automotive, aerospace, appliances, furniture assembly, marine, playground, solar installation, military among other industries.

Rivet Nut Types. 

Rivet nuts are more versatile than self-tapping screws or pressed inserts. They are available in steel, stainless steel, aluminium, and more. In two main body variations of end style – either open ended where the bolt can protrude through the rivet nut without obstruction, or closed end type.  Closed end type rivet nuts are ideal if you’re looking for a sealed end, providing an effective option to avoid the ingress of water and or dust.

Nutsert xtralok®. 

The Xtralok® nutserts has numerous features that distinguish it from other round nutserts including a knurl texture body that locks into the host material, thick walls that prevent thread distortion, a low-profile wide flange for a near flush installation and have up to 50% more material grip range than most competitor products.

Half-Hex Nutserts. 

Half-Hex nutserts provide all the benefits of the Nutsert Xtralok® only better with higher torque resistance to unscrewing and pulling out. Ideal in punched hex shape holes. Often called hex inserts, hexserts, hex threaded inserts etc. they are ideal for applications where failure is not an option. 

Full-Hex Nutsert. 

At Aerobolt we regard the Full-Hex Nutsert as the high strength Hex nutserts. The full hex-shaped nutsert provides even better twist resistance than both the Nutsert xtralok and the Half hex nutsert. Like the other nutserts the tool collapes the nut, creating a backside flange that holds the nut to the material.

Smooth Body Rivnut®.  

Rivnuts® should be your first choice when seeking to drill a small hole size or you are working close to the edge of the parent material. A low-cost rivet nut option to insert a load-bearing threads into weak or thin-gauge material. Predominantly with a countersunk profile with a lead-in chamfer for easy insertion. 

Plus Nuts. 

Plus Nuts are ideal for plastics, fiberglass and thin steel sheeting, a load bearing captive solution for lightweight material. Offering a greater material grip range than other types of rivet nuts, along with a better tolerance of oversized holes. Often referred to as the multi-grip rivet nut. 

Jack Nuts.  

Jack Nuts threaded inserts provide a captive nut for non-load bearing applications. Upon installation, the slotted sleeves collapses to form a propeller shape configuration which gently grips the inside of the mounting surface - providing a screw anchor. 

Well Nuts.   

Well nuts are a rubber bush with a concealed brass nut at one end . They have a flange on one side with a barrel that is inserted into a hole. Well nuts are an ideal option for weatherproofing holes or isolating vibration. Also referred to as a rawl nut, rawlnut, or a rubber nuts. 

Threaded Inserts for Plastic.  

This fastener can be installed in numerous material types from plastic to plywood. They work differently from others because they expand into the material rather than outside. The knurled treaded insert can be installed in a comprehensive range of material softer than itself and thicker than 16mm, providing exceptional shear and pull out strength.  

Threaded Inserts for Timber.  

Wide range of threaded inserts for timber, chipboard and MDF. Your one stop shop for self-tapping threaded inserts for all your woodwork applications including timber T-Nuts or Tee Nuts.