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Rivets · Trade series (quarter-turn panel fasteners) · Application guide

What Are Quarter-Turn Panel Fasteners Used For?

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

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.

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.

Technical Drawing

Customize the parameters below — every spec field is editable, and the drawing redraws to match the values you choose. Changing the size will snap the other fields to that size's standard values; you can then override any individual value.

Sends the selected values to the quote form below.

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The form below follows the current technical drawing configuration. Change the drawing values above and the request details update automatically.

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Specification
Business Information

Dimensions & Specifications (Trade series (quarter-turn panel fasteners))

ActionStud formHead optionsLength codesMaterial optionsPanel selection
90-degree quarter-turncaptive stud + matching receptaclemedium knurled / slotted / flush-slotted / wing55 / 60 / 65 / 70 / 75zinc-plated steel / stainless steeltotal 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
    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
    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
    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
    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.