Self Clinching Fasteners
Factory Direct for self clinching fasteners. Guaranteed quality with qc report and mill cert.Inch/metric available. Quick response with thoughtful service.
Overcoming Limitations of Thin Sheet Joining
In the fabrication of electronic enclosures, server racks, and automotive panels, engineers frequently encounter metal sheets that are too thin to support a tapped thread. Our “Self Clinching” category provides the definitive solution to this challenge. Unlike loose hardware that requires a backup wrench or welded nuts that damage surface finishes, our self clinching fasteners are designed to be pressed into a pre-punched or drilled hole. Once installed, they become an integral part of the assembly. This product line is specifically engineered for sheet metal fabricators and OEMs who require a permanent, high-strength attachment point in ductile materials like aluminum, steel, and even stainless steel panels, without the thermal distortion associated with spot welding.
Cold-Flow Mechanics and Material Grades
The technology behind these fasteners relies on the principle of cold plastic deformation. When a clinching nut (such as our Series S or CLS) or stud is pressed into the sheet, the specialized knurling ring under the head displaces the host material. This material flows into the fastener’s undercut groove, locking it vertically and rotationally. We manufacture clinching fasteners in hardened Carbon Steel (zinc plated) for standard steel sheets and 300 Series Stainless Steel (passivated) for aluminum or corrosion-sensitive applications. For even harder host materials, we offer specialized hardened stainless variants. The dimensional precision of the displacer ring is critical; we strictly control tolerances to ensure the fastener installs flush and provides the rated push-out and torque-out resistance values specified in industrial standards.
Optimizing Assembly Workflow
Adopting a clinching studs and nuts strategy significantly streamlines production. The installation process is clean, generating no fumes, sparks, or spatter, which makes it ideal for pre-coated or painted materials where welding would ruin the finish. The fasteners can be installed using standard pneumatic or hydraulic presses, and for high-volume environments, automatic bowl-feeding systems can be utilized. This category includes flush-head studs (Type FH/FHS) that leave a smooth surface on the reverse side of the sheet, and standoffs (Type SO/BSO) for spacing PC boards. By sourcing these self clinching fasteners from Screwtool, manufacturers gain access to a versatile inventory that simplifies the Bill of Materials by reducing the need for loose washers, nuts, and complex welding fixtures.
Advantages
High Torque-Out and Push-Out Resistance
The structural integrity of a clinched joint is defined by its resistance to rotation and ejection. Our clinching nuts feature a precisely engineered serrated clinching ring. Upon installation, these serrations embed deeply into the sheet metal, creating a high-friction mechanical interlock that prevents the nut from spinning when a screw is tightened. Similarly, the undercut groove captures the flowing metal to resist push-out forces. This is superior to swaged or riveted joints which may loosen over time. For applications requiring robust attachment points in thin substrates (down to 0.5mm), our fasteners provide a reliability factor that often exceeds the yield strength of the screw being installed, ensuring the fastener is never the weak link in the assembly.
Flush Finish and Aesthetic Integrity
For consumer electronics and visible architectural panels, surface aesthetics are paramount. Welding fasteners often results in heat-affected zones or burn marks that require expensive secondary grinding and finishing. Our clinching studs (specifically the FHS stainless series) are designed with a hexagonal head that is pressed completely flush into the sheet. This results in a smooth, flat surface on the reverse side, allowing for tight component clearances or unbroken external cosmetic lines. This “invisible” fastening capability is a major advantage for designers looking to maintain a clean industrial design language while ensuring robust structural assembly using clinching fasteners.
Compatibility with Dissimilar Materials
Galvanic corrosion is a constant concern when joining different metals. Our product range addresses this by offering material-specific solutions. We supply clinching nuts in 304 stainless steel (Series CLS) specifically for installation into aluminum chassis. The use of stainless steel in aluminum creates a compatible joint that resists corrosion better than carbon steel fasteners. Furthermore, because the installation is a mechanical process rather than a thermal one, there is no risk of altering the heat treatment or tempering of the host metal sheet. This versatility allows self clinching fasteners to be used across diverse industries, from aerospace avionics to medical device housings, where material properties must remain unaltered during assembly.
Use Scenarios
Telecommunications Server Rack Assembly
A Mechanical Designer working on 19-inch rack-mount servers needs to mount motherboard standoffs and heavy power supply units to a galvanized steel chassis. The sheet metal is only 1.2mm thick. The designer specifies Screwtool’s clinching studs (Type FH) for the exterior mounting points and blind standoffs (Type BSO) for the PCB mounting. The studs are pressed in during the stamping stage, eliminating the need for manual hardware insertion later. The high torque resistance of the studs ensures that when the heavy power supply units are bolted down, the studs do not spin in their holes, facilitating easy maintenance and component swapping in the data center.
Electric Vehicle Battery Enclosures
In the production of EV battery packs, the enclosure seal is critical. A Manufacturing Engineer selects our stainless steel clinching fasteners to secure the lid of the aluminum battery tray. Since the tray is made of aluminum to save weight, welding steel nuts is not an option. The engineer uses clinching nuts (Series CLS) pressed into the flange. These provide durable, reusable steel threads in the soft aluminum, allowing the lid to be torqued down securely to compress the sealing gasket. The clean installation process ensures no conductive metal shavings or weld spatter are generated inside the high-voltage battery pack, addressing a major safety requirement.
Precision Medical Instrument Fabrication
A Fabrication Manager for a medical device company is producing stainless steel housings for surgical lasers. The hygiene standards prohibit any crevices where bacteria could hide, and the exterior must be polished. The manager uses Screwtool’s hardened stainless clinching studs (Type FHS) compatible with stainless sheets. By pressing these studs in, the exterior remains perfectly smooth and easy to wipe down. The studs provide strong anchor points for internal components without penetrating the outer visual surface or requiring grinding, which preserves the passivated surface of the medical-grade steel and ensures long-term sterility compliance.
About Us
Shanghai Screwtool Industrial Co., Ltd. is a specialized manufacturer and supplier of industrial fasteners, established in 2011 as a subsidiary of the Victor Screw Group. We are dedicated to providing the global market with high-precision fastening solutions, bridging the gap between Chinese manufacturing efficiency and international engineering standards. Our expertise extends beyond standard screws to advanced assembly components, specifically the self clinching fasteners category. Our facilities in Lianyungang and Shanghai utilize advanced production techniques to manufacture clinching nuts, studs, and standoffs that meet industry-standard dimensions (PEM equivalent). We serve demanding sectors such as electronics, automotive, and medical manufacturing. Unlike general trading companies, we offer factory-direct advantages including strict hardness testing, dimensional verification, and material certification (RoHS/REACH). Our mission is to simplify your supply chain by providing reliable, high-performance clinching hardware ready for immediate integration into your fabrication process.
Call to Action
Upgrade your sheet metal assembly with our precision clinching fasteners today!
FAQ
What is the minimum sheet thickness for self clinching fasteners?
Generally, most self clinching fasteners can be installed in sheets as thin as 0.5mm to 1.0mm, depending on the specific thread size and fastener type (e.g., M3 vs M6).
Can I install stainless steel clinching nuts into stainless steel sheets?
Standard stainless clinching nuts (Series CLS) are typically designed for aluminum or steel sheets. For installation into stainless steel sheets, you must use specially hardened stainless fasteners (often designated as SP) to ensure the fastener is harder than the sheet.
What is the difference between Flush Head (FH) and Flush Head Stainless (FHS) studs?
FH denotes a clinching studs made of zinc-plated carbon steel, suitable for steel or aluminum sheets. FHS denotes a stud made of 300 series stainless steel, suitable for aluminum or steel sheets where corrosion resistance is required.
Do these fasteners require special tooling to install?
They do not require proprietary tools, but they do require a press (pneumatic, hydraulic, or mechanical) capable of applying a squeeze force. They cannot be installed with a hammer or impact tool.
Are self clinching fasteners removable?
No, once properly installed, clinching fasteners are intended to be permanent. Removing them typically requires drilling them out or applying excessive force that would likely damage the sheet metal hole.