⚡ Key Takeaways
- What it is: a rivet nut is a permanent mechanical fastener that puts a strong thread into thin sheet.
- Blind-side advantage: single-sided installation, so it works where the back of the panel cannot be reached (closed profiles, tubes).
- Speed: installed in under 3 seconds — one stroke of the tool sets it.
- Range: M3–M12, including 12H/16H extended bodies, in stainless steel or zinc-plated steel.
- EV versions: rivet nuts with an O-ring seal, water-tight to IP68.
- Body styles: knurled, half-hex, full-hex and internal/external hex, to match the anti-rotation requirement.
📑 Contents
1. What a rivet nut solves
2. Choosing the body style
3. Size table
4. Sealed rivet nuts for EV battery packs
5. Tooling and installation
6. Selection logic and FAQ
1. What a rivet nut solves
2. Choosing the body style
3. Size table
4. Sealed rivet nuts for EV battery packs
5. Tooling and installation
6. Selection logic and FAQ
1. What a rivet nut solves
From the product handbook:
- A permanent mechanical fastener;
- Lets another component be assembled with a bolt or screw;
- Can rivet separate sheets or structures together (acting as a rivet);
- Creates a strong thread in thin or thick sheet, profiles, composites and plastics;
- Blind (single-sided) installation for applications where the back is hard or impossible to reach;
- Installed in under 3 seconds.
2. Choosing the body style
| Body style | Anti-rotation | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Knurled (vertical ribs) | Moderate | Thin sheet, light loads |
| Half-hex | Good | Medium sheet, automotive |
| Full hex | Very good | High torque, thick sheet |
| Internal / external hex | Best | High torque plus blind hole |
| Large-flange flat head, knurled | Moderate (large bearing face) | Soft sheet, plastics |
3. Main size table (flat head, knurled)
| Thread | Grip range E (mm) | Hole dia. (mm) | Body A (mm) | Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 | 0.5–2.0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | FL-YS3 |
| M4 | 0.5–3.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | FL-YS4 |
| M5 | 0.5–2.5 | 7.0 | 7.5 | FL-YS5 |
| M6 | 0.5–3.0 | 9.0 | 9.2 | FL-YS6 |
| M8 | 1.0–3.5 | 11.0 | 11.5 | FL-YS8 |
| M10 | 1.0–4.0 | 13.0 | 13.5 | FL-YS10 |
| M12 | 1.0–4.0 | 15.0 | 13.5 | FL-YS12 |
4. Sealed rivet nuts for EV battery packs
Battery packs and e-drive housings must stay water-tight:
- Supplied with an orange or white O-ring;
- Stainless steel body for corrosion resistance;
- Sealing up to IP68;
- The closed-end (blind) version stops liquid entering the body.
5. Tooling and installation
| Size | Tool type | Stroke (mm) | Pulling force (kN) |
|---|---|---|---|
| M3–M4 | Manual / electric | 5–7 | 5–8 |
| M5–M6 | Electric / pneumatic | 7–10 | 10–15 |
| M8–M10 | Pneumatic / hydraulic | 10–13 | 18–25 |
| M12 | Hydraulic | 13–16 | 28–35 |
Three installation rules:
- The hole must be the right size: too large and the nut will not grip; too small and the tool snaps the mandrel;
- Enter square to the panel: an angled pull tilts the nut and ruins the seal;
- Check after the mandrel breaks: the break should be flush and the body must show no cracks.
Common failure modes
- Nut spins: the anti-rotation ribs never bit into the sheet — switch to half-hex or full hex;
- Seal leaks: O-ring left out, or the panel is not flat — check flatness;
- Mandrel will not break: not enough pulling force or the hole is undersize — use a stronger tool;
- Thread strips after setting: body material too soft, or over-pulled — specify stainless steel.
6. Selection logic and FAQ
Three questions
- Can you reach behind the panel? If not, a blind rivet nut is the only option.
- Is torque high? Then full hex or internal/external hex.
- Must it be water-tight? Then the sealed version with an O-ring.
FAQ
Q: How is this different from a press-in nut? Press-in nuts need a press and thin sheet (under 3 mm). Rivet nuts use a hand tool and work in thick sheet, profiles and blind holes.
Q: Can it be removed? No — a rivet nut is permanent. Removing it destroys it.
Q: Will M6 work in 1 mm aluminium? Yes, the grip range is 0.5–3.0 mm.
🛠️ Engineering support: Toprecision supplies the full M3–M12 rivet nut range, including the sealed EV versions.
👉 Engineering services ｜ 👉 Request a technical quote
👉 Engineering services ｜ 👉 Request a technical quote