Rivnut - Smooth Body Rivet Nuts

What are rivnuts?

Rivnuts offer a secure threaded fastening solution in thin materials. Essentially a rivnut is a combination of a nut and a rivet. They install like a rivet - which makes them great for one side or blind side installations and once installed you have an internal thread that is permanent - like a nut. A tubular fastener that is installed onto surfaces via a powered Rivnut gun or a manual Rivnut Tool for bolting purposes where conventional tapping is impractical as the material is thin. Ideal for punched or drilled holes that can be installed at any stage of the manufacturing process even after finish coat is applied. Aerobolt has a wide range of sizes including M3, M4, M5, M5, M6, M8, M10, M12 + select imperial sizes in a range of body types that include circular with numerous options,  plus hex shape and threaded stud options.     

How do rivnuts work?

Rivnuts are particularly useful in applications where you need a strong permanent thread in materials that are too thin to support a fastener. Rivnuts are simple to install with a little practice. Before installation ensure you have a predrilled hole to suit the rivnut. Refer to the data sheet for further information, these are found on the product page in a tab labelled resources. Here are the steps to install a rivnut. 

Step 1. Thread the rivnut onto the mandrel of the tool, some tools have an auto rewind to assist in this process.  

Step 2. Place the Rivnut in the pre-drilled hole and activate tool to begin the installation process. Tool’s mandrel will pull up Rivnut causing the body to compress and swell to seal and fill the hole.

Step 3. The Rivnut has now bulged & created a lip on the blind side of the material, firmly interlocking onto the material.  

Step 4. Rivnuts Tool will either automatically reverse out of the Rivnut, or you will need to unthread the mandrel. Job well done!

Rivnuts or Nutserts? They are all rivet nuts! 

Rivnuts or nutserts are registered  trademarks words that refer to "rivet nut". Rivet nut is the generic term for these fastening components. Words can be trademarked for brand marketing purposes and sometimes these transcend to everyday language. Popular lingo like Nutsert® by Stanley Engineered Fastening, or Rivnut® by Bollhoff are trademarks that are used in everyday language to describe the Rivet nut fastener.

Components of a Rivnut

Body: The main part of the Rivet nut, which is typically cylindrical and has an internal thread for a bolt or screw.

Flange: A wider rim at one end that prevents the Rivnuts from being pulled through the material.

Body Surface: Knurled or Smooth Shank: Depending on selection.

How are Rivnuts installed? 

Drill a Hole: First, a hole is drilled into the base material, slightly larger than the uncompressed diameter of the Rivnut.

Insert the Rivnut: The Rivnut is placed into the hole, with the flange resting against the surface of the material.

Rivnuts Tool: (Rivnut tool, Rivnuts gun or nut riveter) are used to pull up the Rivnuts while pushing against its flange.

Rivnuts Installation Process: The action collapses and deforms the shank of the Rivnut, causing it to bulge out and grip the backside of the material. This creates a secure hold, even in thin materials. Once installed, the Rivnuts provides a durable, threaded hole that can accept machine screws or bolts, allowing you to attach other components.

How to install a Rivnuts without a tool? 

This can be tricky if you are not handy, there are many online videos that show how this is done. At Aerobolt we recommend a Rivnuts tool for a professional finish.

How to remove a Rivnut? 

Rivnuts removal is not straight forward even with the right tools as it could damage the parent surface. This requires the destruction of the Rivet nut, and the best method is to drill it. You will need, a drill, drill bit, long nose pliers, & safety accessories such as glasses and gloves.

Steps: Use your safety glass & gloves before starting the drilling process. Place the drill bit inside the Rivnuts centre and drill the body at a low but steady speed. Once drilling is completed, pull the Rivnuts off with your long nose pliers.  

Types of Rivnuts.

Aerobolt has a comprehensive range of Rivnuts, covering a wide range of body types and shapes.  

Open-End Rivnuts: Allow bolts or machine screws to pass completely through.

Closed-End Rivnuts: Seal the backside, preventing liquids or debris from entering.

Knurled Rivnuts: Have ridges on the shank for extra grip, these are Aerobolt’s #1 nutsert.

Smooth body Rivnuts: Suitable for low torque applications in thin sheet metals.

Hex shape Rivnuts; Hexagonal shape rivnuts for superior resistance to unscrewing.

Threaded Studs; A nutserts with a protruding thread rather than an internal threaded opening.   

Rivnuts Applications.

Rivnuts are commonly used in industries like automotive, aerospace, and construction for attaching brackets, mounting components, or securing panels. They are ideal for repair work or situations where you cannot access the backside of the material (blind installations).

How strong are Rivnuts?

The strength of Rivnuts depends on several factors, including their material, size, and the material into which they are installed. Here is an overview of their strength characteristics:

Factors Affecting Rivnuts Strength

1. Material of the Rivet nut

Steel Rivet nuts: Provide the highest strength and are ideal for heavy-duty applications.

Stainless Steel Rivet nuts: Offer excellent strength and corrosion resistance, suitable for harsh environments.

Aluminium Rivet nuts: Lighter and less strong than steel, but still sufficient for many lightweight applications.

2. Thread Size

Larger Rivet nuts can accommodate larger bolts, which can handle higher loads.

The thread engagement also affects the pull-out and shear strength.

3. Installation Material

The holding strength of a Rivnut depends on the thickness and type of material into which it is installed. For example:

Steel or Aluminium Sheets: Provide higher clamping and shear strength.

Plastic or Thin Sheets: May limit strength due to deformation under load.

4. Installation Quality

Proper installation ensures a secure grip, preventing spin-out or pull-out under load.

Over-tightening can damage the material or weaken the connection.

Strength Metrics

Rivet nuts are typically rated for two key forces:

Pull-Out Strength:

The force required to pull the Rivnuts out of the base material.

Stronger materials and thicker sheets increase pull-out resistance.

Example: A steel M6 Rivnuts in a 1.5mm steel sheet can withstand 300-500 pounds (136-227 kg) of pull-out force, depending on the brand and installation quality.

Shear Strength:

The force that the bolt or screw can resist parallel to the surface.

This depends on the bolt grade, Rivnuts material, and thread engagement.

Example: A steel M8 Rivnut in a similar setup might handle shear forces of 700-1000 pounds (318-454 kg).

Applications and Load Considerations

Rivet nuts are generally strong enough for: Mounting brackets, panels, or hardware.

Securing parts in automotive, aerospace, or marine industries.

Applications requiring reliable performance under moderate loads.

However, for extreme loads, alternatives like weld nuts or high-strength fasteners might be more appropriate.