Self-clinching fasteners are a revolutionary solution in metal fabrication, providing robust load-bearing threads in metal sheets too thin to be tapped. These fasteners are renowned for their ease of installation and strong performance, making them indispensable in industries such as telecom, computing, medical, automotive, and aerospace systems.

What Are Self-Clinching Fasteners?

Self-clinching fasteners are designed to embed into metal panels, offering strong male or female threads in materials like steel and aluminum. They are particularly useful for thin metal sheets, where traditional tapping methods are ineffective. The installation process is straightforward and clean, requiring only a pre-prepared hole and a parallel squeezing force.

How Do Self-Clinching Fasteners Work?

The magic of self-clinching fasteners lies in their unique clinch feature. When pressed into a hole, the parent material cold-flows into this feature, securely locking the fastener into the panel. This process ensures excellent torque-out and push-out resistance, making the fasteners reliable even under significant stress.

Installation Tips for Self-Clinching Fasteners

  1. Parallel Squeezing Force: Always apply a parallel squeezing force for proper installation. The force must be sufficient and applied for an adequate time (known as dwell time) to allow the cold-flow clinching process to complete, especially when using a hydraulic press.
  2. Correct Hole Size: Ensure the mounting hole is of the specified size for each fastener type.
  3. Avoid Over-Squeezing: Over-squeezing can damage the fastener and the sheet. Determine the optimum installation force through testing before starting production runs.

Types of Self-Clinching Fasteners

Clinch Nuts

Clinch nuts are perfect for tapping thin plates, offering high mounting strength with simple press fitting. They are ideal for aluminum plates and other locations difficult to weld. Explore more on the Clinch Nuts.

Clinch Studs

Self-clinching studs embed into a sheet to create a secure lock with high torque-out and push-out resistance. Available in mild steel and stainless steel, they are a reliable choice for various applications. Learn more on the Clinch Studs.

Standoffs

Standoffs offer a quick and simple way to mount components like circuit boards and control panels. They are available in two types:

  • Through Standoffs
  • Blind Standoffs

Discover more about standoffs on the Self-Clinching Standoffs page.

Self-Clinching Blind Fasteners

Used for applications requiring closed-end threads, these fasteners ensure the integrity of the thread's end. Find out more on the Self-Clinching Blind Fastener page.

Flush Nuts

Flush nuts are ideal for applications where the sheet must remain flat without protrusions. They provide strong load-bearing threads in thin metal sheets. 

Press Nuts and Broaching Nuts

Press nuts are essential for achieving high joint stability in thin-walled sheet metal or plastic parts, serving as an excellent alternative to welded or brazed nuts. Broaching-type fasteners are suitable for printed circuit boards and other brittle materials. 

Pilot Pins

Pilot pins, resembling threadless studs with a tapered tip, assist in aligning components before fastening, ensuring accurate installation. Learn more on the Pilot Pins page.

Advantages of Self-Clinching Fasteners

  • Strong Threads: Provide strong threads in thin metal components.
  • Easy Installation: Simple and clean installation process.
  • High Resistance: Excellent push-out and torque-out resistance.
  • No Re-tapping: Eliminates the need for re-tapping.
  • Flush Finish: Keeps the reverse side of the sheet flush.
  • Cost-Effective: Low installed cost.

Usage Guide: Best Practices

DOs

  • Mounting Hole: Provide a correctly sized mounting hole.
  • Squeezing Force: Ensure a parallel squeezing force between surfaces.
  • Correct Side Installation: Install fasteners into the punch side of the sheet.
  • Proper Embedding: Apply sufficient force to embed the clinching ring completely.

DON'Ts

  • Avoid Pre-finishing: Do not install fasteners in aluminum panels before anodizing or finishing.
  • No Deburring: Do not deburr mounting holes before installing fasteners.
  • Edge Distance: Do not install fasteners too close to the sheet edge.
  • Avoid Over-Squeezing: Over-squeezing can crush the head and distort threads.
  • No Hammer Blows: Do not use a hammer to insert fasteners.
  • Correct Load Application: Install screws from the opposite side to prevent loading on the fastener head.

Special Note for Stainless Steel Sheets

For self-clinching fasteners to perform correctly, they must be harder than the host sheet. This is crucial when installing into stainless steel sheets. Use fasteners specifically designed for stainless steel to ensure proper clinching and performance.

Self-clinching fasteners are a versatile and reliable solution for creating strong threads in thin metal sheets. By following the best practices and selecting the right type of fastener for your application, you can achieve secure and durable assemblies in your projects.