--- title: "What Are Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners Used For?" description: "Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners (Trade series (quarter-turn panel fasteners)) are used for locking and releasing a captive panel stud through a controlled quart…" url: https://engineeringhardware.com/applications/quarter-turn-panel-fasteners/ source: Engineering Hardware & Fasteners --- # What Are Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners Used For? Rivets · Trade series (quarter-turn panel fasteners) · Application guide Typical applications, the industries that specify quarter-turn panel fasteners, and how to choose the right size, material and finish for the joint. Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners are used for locking and releasing a captive panel stud through a controlled quarter turn. They are manufactured to Trade series (quarter-turn panel fasteners), and selection is driven by the nominal diameter, the fit and tolerance the assembly requires, and the service environment. - **Primary duty:** Locking and releasing a captive panel stud through a controlled quarter turn - **Governing standard:** Trade series (quarter-turn panel fasteners) - **Nominal diameter range:** 90-degree quarter-turn to 90-degree quarter-turn - **Category:** Rivets Application notes are general engineering guidance. Verify the property class and any approval requirement against your own design calculation. ![What Are Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners Used For? application image](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Southco-DZUS-Quarter-Turn-Panel-Fasteners.webp) Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners are selected when an assembly calls for locking and releasing a captive panel stud through a controlled quarter turn. This application guide to the Trade series (quarter-turn panel fasteners) type covers concrete end-uses, the specification checklist, correct installation, and where an alternative fastener performs better. Stocked across roughly 90 mm to 90 mm, they cover heavy and structural work. ## Typical Applications for Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners The most common settings where these are specified: - **Aircraft and vehicle panels:** Quarter-turn fasteners release service panels without loose screws. - **Electrical cabinets:** Captive studs keep covers attached to the enclosure. - **Machine guards:** Turn-to-lock operation speeds repeated access. - **Transport equipment:** Knurled or wing heads allow tool-free service at selected positions. Product catalog ## Related Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners products [![Steel Panel Screw for Sheet Metal](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Steel-Panel-Screw-for-Sheet-Metal.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/steel-panel-screw-for-sheet-metal/) Quarter-Turn, Captive & Panel Fasteners ### [Steel Panel Screw for Sheet Metal](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/steel-panel-screw-for-sheet-metal/) Steel · Metric,Unified **US$0.06**MOQ 100 pieces [![Reamer Hex Socket Chess Head Captive Bolt with Knurling](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Reamer-Hex-Socket-Chess-Head-Captive-Bolt-with-Knurling.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/reamer-hex-socket-chess-head-captive-bolt-with-knurling/) Quarter-Turn, Captive & Panel Fasteners ### [Reamer Hex Socket Chess Head Captive Bolt with Knurling](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/reamer-hex-socket-chess-head-captive-bolt-with-knurling/) Cheese Head · DIN, GB **US$0.036**MOQ 50 pieces [![Durable Stainless Steel Captive Screws: Factory Direct for HVAC System Fastening](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Durable-Stainless-Steel-Captive-Screws-Factory-Direct-for-HVAC-System-Fastening.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/durable-stainless-steel-captive-screws-factory-direct-for-hvac-system-fastening/) Quarter-Turn, Captive & Panel Fasteners ### [Durable Stainless Steel Captive Screws: Factory Direct for HVAC System Fastening](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/durable-stainless-steel-captive-screws-factory-direct-for-hvac-system-fastening/) Hexagon Head · DIN **US$0.012 – 0.24**MOQ 1,000 pieces [![DIN7964 Stainless Steel Hex Head Waisted Thin Shank Screw with Captive Washer](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/DIN7964-Stainless-Steel-Hex-Head-Waisted-Thin-Shank-Screw-with-Captive-Washer.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/din7964-stainless-steel-hex-head-waisted-thin-shank-screw-with-captive-washer/) Quarter-Turn, Captive & Panel Fasteners ### [DIN7964 Stainless Steel Hex Head Waisted Thin Shank Screw with Captive Washer](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/din7964-stainless-steel-hex-head-waisted-thin-shank-screw-with-captive-washer/) Hexagon Head · ANSI, BSW, DIN, GB, GOST, JIS **US$0.084 – 0.12**MOQ 10,000 pieces [![Wxsny Stainless Steel Captive Panel Screws Spring Loaded Knurled Thumb Screw for Electronic Chassis Enclosure](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Wxsny-Stainless-Steel-Captive-Panel-Screws-Spring-Loaded-Knurled-Thumb-Screw-for-Electronic-Chassis-Enclosure.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/wxsny-stainless-steel-captive-panel-screws-spring-loaded-knurled-thumb-screw-for/) Quarter-Turn, Captive & Panel Fasteners ### [Wxsny Stainless Steel Captive Panel Screws Spring Loaded Knurled Thumb Screw for Electronic Chassis Enclosure](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/wxsny-stainless-steel-captive-panel-screws-spring-loaded-knurled-thumb-screw-for/) Star/Round/L/Flat/Custom · DIN, GB, ANSI, BSW, JIS, GOST **US$0.012 – 0.036**MOQ 100 pieces [![Wxsny Precision Captive Screws Hex Cap Head Self Retaining Fasteners Corrosion Resistant Panel Screw Bolts](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Wxsny-Precision-Captive-Screws-Hex-Cap-Head-Self-Retaining-Fasteners-Corrosion-Resistant-Panel-Screw-Bolts.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/wxsny-precision-captive-screws-hex-cap-head-self-retaining-fasteners-corrosion/) Quarter-Turn, Captive & Panel Fasteners ### [Wxsny Precision Captive Screws Hex Cap Head Self Retaining Fasteners Corrosion Resistant Panel Screw Bolts](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/wxsny-precision-captive-screws-hex-cap-head-self-retaining-fasteners-corrosion/) Star/Round/L/Flat/Custom · DIN, GB, ANSI, BSW, JIS, GOST **US$0.012 – 0.036**MOQ 100 pieces [View all Quarter-Turn, Captive & Panel Fasteners →](https://engineeringhardware.com/fastener-products/specialty-fasteners/quarter-turn-captive-panel-fasteners/) [Full product catalog](https://engineeringhardware.com/products/) ## How to Specify Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners for Your Application - **Size:** Select on nominal diameter, then on the hole tolerance and fit class — the fit, not the diameter alone, determines whether the part locates or slips. This product spans 90 mm–90 mm; check the full table below for the exact dimensions of each size. - **Material:** Choose the material and finish for the service environment — plated steel for general use, stainless for corrosion resistance. - **Environment:** For damp, coastal or chemical exposure prefer A4/316 stainless or a suitable coating; indoors, plated steel or A2 is usually sufficient. - **Standard:** This product is supplied to Trade series (quarter-turn panel fasteners). Quoting the standard on your order guarantees interchangeable dimensions between suppliers. ## Installation & Assembly Practice - Drill the hole 0.1 mm over the nominal rivet diameter and deburr both sides before setting. - Grip range must match the total joint thickness — a rivet set outside its grip range clamps poorly and works loose. ## Common Selection Mistakes with Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners - Setting a rivet outside its grip range, which leaves the joint loose from day one. - Using aluminum rivets on steel sheet outdoors — galvanic corrosion eats the rivet. ## Where Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners Are Not the Right Choice Not where the joint must later be disassembled, and not for high-tension structural connections. Custom manufacturing · Made to drawing ## Need a quarter-turn panel fasteners outside the standard range? Body diameter, grip range, head form and body/mandrel material combination can all be specified against the joint rather than chosen from a table. Made by cold heading or drawing. Minimum order from 2,000 pieces; samples within 7 days of drawing approval. [Custom rivet manufacturing](https://engineeringhardware.com/custom/rivets/)[Send a drawing](https://engineeringhardware.com/custom/rivets/#rfq) ## Technical Drawing Dimensioned line drawing of 90-degree quarter-turn Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners to Trade series (quarter-turn panel fasteners). Side view and top view, drawn to the dimensions in the table below and redrawn for any size selected. - **Stud form:** captive stud + matching receptacle - **Head options:** medium knurled / slotted / flush-slotted / wing - **Length codes:** 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 - **Material options:** zinc-plated steel / stainless steel - **Panel selection:** total panel stack and receptacle adjustment ## Dimensions & Specifications (Trade series (quarter-turn panel fasteners)) | Action | Stud form | Head options | Length codes | Material options | Panel selection | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 90-degree quarter-turn | captive stud + matching receptacle | medium knurled / slotted / flush-slotted / wing | 55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 | zinc-plated steel / stainless steel | total panel stack and receptacle adjustment | Inside the plant ## Manufactured in our own plant This part is cold-formed, threaded, heat-treated and finished in-house. The stages below are where its class and finish are actually decided. 1. ![Wire rod feeding into a cold heading machine](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/09-wire-rod-feed-cold-heading-machine.webp) 01 **Cold heading** Wire rod is drawn to size and cold-formed into blanks. Forming rather than cutting keeps the grain flow continuous around the head, which is where a bolt is most likely to fail. Head dimensions and under-head radius checked at set-up and per shift. 2. ![Thread rolling machine producing bolt threads](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/03-thread-rolling-machine-bolt-production.webp) 02 **Thread rolling** Threads are rolled between hardened dies rather than cut. Rolled threads are stronger in fatigue than cut threads and hold pitch and flank angle far more consistently across a batch. Go / no-go ring gauges to ISO 965 tolerance class 6g. 3. ![Baskets of bolts staged for heat treatment](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/05-heat-treatment-baskets-black-bolts.webp) 03 **Heat treatment** Quench-and-temper brings carbon and alloy steel to the property class ordered — 8.8, 10.9 or 12.9 — with the furnace charge tracked so a finished lot can be traced back to it. Core hardness and tensile tested per lot to ISO 898-1. 4. ![Zinc plated bolts in a treatment basket](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/23-zinc-plated-bolts-treatment-basket.webp) 04 **Surface treatment** Zinc, zinc-nickel, hot-dip galvanizing, black oxide, phosphate and Dacromet, selected against the service environment rather than against the price list. Coating thickness and neutral salt spray hours to ISO 9227. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### Which industries use Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners? They are commonly specified in transport equipment, aircraft and vehicle panels and electrical cabinets, among other sectors. ### How do I choose the right size of Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners? Select on nominal diameter and on the fit the assembly requires. This product is available from 90 mm to 90 mm; the full dimension table on this page lists each size. ### Can Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners joints be taken apart? No — rivets form a permanent joint and must be drilled out to remove. Use a bolt or screw where you need to disassemble the joint later. ### What material should Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners be for outdoor use? For damp, coastal or chemical environments specify A4 (316) stainless or a suitably coated steel. For indoor or dry use, A2 (304) stainless or zinc-plated steel is normally adequate. ### Can I get a quote for Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners in the size and material I need? Yes. Use the technical drawing and quote form on this page to set the size and options, then send the exact configuration to our team for pricing and lead time. ## Related Pages Product page: [Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners — specifications & sizes](https://engineeringhardware.com/fastener/quarter-turn-panel-fasteners/) ### Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners Specification Guides ### Related Fastener Applications