A press nut, also known as a clinch nut, is a mechanical fastener used to create a threaded connection in sheet metal or thin materials. It is pressed into a pre-drilled hole in the material and held in place through a combination of friction and deformation.
This makes it suitable as a strong and secure thread for screws in materials that would otherwise be too thin to reliably hold a thread.
Features and benefits of press nuts:
- Strong connection: Creates a threaded joint in thin materials such as sheet metal.
- Fast installation: Can be quickly and easily installed using pressing tools.
- Permanent fastening: Once installed, they stay securely in place and do not loosen easily.
- Corrosion resistant: Made from various materials like stainless steel or zinc-plated steel, providing good corrosion resistance.
- Wide application: Used across industries such as automotive, electronics, and appliance manufacturing.
Installation of a press nut:
- Pre-drill hole: A hole is drilled in the material where the press nut will be placed.
- Position the press nut: The press nut is placed into the hole.
- Use pressing tool: A pressing tool is used to press the nut into the hole. The tool applies pressure that deforms the material around the hole, creating a secure connection.
Press nuts are especially useful when a durable and strong threaded connection is needed in materials too thin to hold threads on their own, making them indispensable in many industrial applications.