---
title: "What Are Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts) Used For?"
description: "Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts) (Trade series (blind rivet nut)) are used for putting a thread into sheet, tube or a closed section that can only be reac…"
url: https://engineeringhardware.com/applications/rivet-nuts-blind-inserts/
source: Engineering Hardware & Fasteners
---

# What Are Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts) Used For?

Nuts · Trade series (blind rivet nut) · Application guide

Typical applications, the industries that specify rivet nuts (blind threaded inserts), and how to choose the right size, material and finish for the joint.

Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts) are used for putting a thread into sheet, tube or a closed section that can only be reached from one side. They are manufactured to Trade series (blind rivet nut), and the choice of size, property class and finish is driven by the load in the joint and the environment it sits in.

- **Primary duty:** Putting a thread into sheet, tube or a closed section that can only be reached from one side
- **Governing standard:** Trade series (blind rivet nut)
- **Thread size range:** M3 to M10
- **Category:** Nuts

Application notes are general engineering guidance. Verify the property class and any approval requirement against your own design calculation.

![What Are Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts) Used For? application image](https://engineeringhardware.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Rivet-Nuts-Applications.webp)

Application guide for Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts) to Trade series (blind rivet nut). The core duty of the type is putting a thread into sheet, tube or a closed section that can only be reached from one side. The typical industries, the how-to-specify checklist, assembly practice and the exclusion cases are set out below. Stocked across roughly M3 to M10, they cover general to heavy-duty work.

## Typical Applications for Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts)

The most common settings where these are specified:

- **Maintenance & repair (MRO):** a stocked size for servicing existing plant where the original fastener spec must be matched.
- **Fabrication & metalwork:** bench and on-site assembly of steel frames, enclosures and weldments.
- **Bolted joints:** the clamping counter-face on studs and bolts across every assembly type.
- **Vibration-prone equipment:** where a locking or flanged style resists loosening.
- **Frames & weldments:** captive or welded options for repeatable assembly.

Product catalog

## Related Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts) products

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### [Steel Galvanized Pre-Spherical Slotted Body for Split Rivet Nuts](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/steel-galvanized-pre-spherical-slotted-body-for-split-rivet-nuts/)

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### [Round Half Hex Type Rivet Nut in Carbon Steel with Countersunk Head](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/round-half-hex-type-rivet-nut-in-carbon-steel-with-countersunk-head/)

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[![Stainless Steel Rivet Nut Closed End Waterproof Insert](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/Stainless-Steel-Rivet-Nut-Closed-End-Waterproof-Insert.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/stainless-steel-rivet-nut-closed-end-waterproof-insert/)

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### [Stainless Steel Rivet Nut Closed End Waterproof Insert](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/stainless-steel-rivet-nut-closed-end-waterproof-insert/)

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[![ANSI/ASME High Quality Sp-M2/M2.5/M3/M4/M5/M6/M8/632/832/0518 Stainless Iron Pressure Rivet Nuts 2 Blind Rivet Nut Clinching Nut](https://img.engineeringhardware.com/ANSI-ASME-High-Quality-Sp-M2-M2-5-M3-M4-M5-M6-M8-632-832-0518-Stainless-Iron-Pressure-Rivet-Nuts-2-Blind-Rivet-Nut-Clinching-Nut.webp)](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/ansi-asme-high-quality-sp-m2-m2-5-m3-m4-m5-m6-m8-632-832-0518-stainless-iron/)

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### [ANSI/ASME High Quality Sp-M2/M2.5/M3/M4/M5/M6/M8/632/832/0518 Stainless Iron Pressure Rivet Nuts 2 Blind Rivet Nut Clinching Nut](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/ansi-asme-high-quality-sp-m2-m2-5-m3-m4-m5-m6-m8-632-832-0518-stainless-iron/)

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**US$0.024 – 0.06**MOQ 1,000 pieces

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### [Serrated Round Head Pressure Nut Press Fit Blind Rivet Nut Silver Rivet Nut](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/serrated-round-head-pressure-nut-press-fit-blind-rivet-nut-silver-rivet-nut/)

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### [Carbon Steel Special Nuts Kunrled Body Flat Head Rivet Nut](https://engineeringhardware.com/product/carbon-steel-special-nuts-kunrled-body-flat-head-rivet-nut/)

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[View all Rivet Nuts & Threaded Rivet Inserts →](https://engineeringhardware.com/fastener-products/threaded-inserts-clinch-fasteners/rivet-nuts-threaded-rivet-inserts/) [Full product catalog](https://engineeringhardware.com/products/)

## How to Specify Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts) for Your Application

- **Size:** Match the nominal size to the mating thread or hole. This product spans M3–M10; check the full table below for the exact dimensions of each size.
- **Locking & grade:** Match the strength grade to the bolt, and choose a locking style (nyloc, all-metal, serrated flange) if the joint sees vibration.
- **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 (blind rivet nut). Quoting the standard on your order guarantees interchangeable dimensions between suppliers.

## Installation & Assembly Practice

- Run the nut down by hand before applying the wrench to catch cross-threading early.
- Tighten the nut rather than the bolt head where access allows — the torque-to-preload relation is more consistent.
- For locking styles, note that nyloc inserts are single-use in critical joints and lose grip above roughly 120 °C.

## Common Selection Mistakes with Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts)

- Pairing a high-class bolt with a lower-class nut — the nut strips before the bolt reaches proof load; the nut class must meet or exceed the bolt class.
- Using a plain nut with a spring washer in severe vibration instead of a prevailing-torque locking nut.
- Re-using nyloc nuts in critical joints.

## Where Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts) Are Not the Right Choice

Not on their own — they need a matching bolt or stud — and a plain nut is not a substitute for a locking type under heavy vibration.

Custom manufacturing · Made to drawing

## Need a rivet nuts (blind threaded inserts) outside the standard range?

Locking method is specifiable independently of the rest: nylon insert, all-metal deformed thread, serrated flange, or none. Made by cold heading or tapping.

Minimum order from 2,000 pieces; samples within 7 days of drawing approval.

[Custom nut manufacturing](https://engineeringhardware.com/custom/nuts/)[Send a drawing](https://engineeringhardware.com/custom/nuts/#rfq)

## Technical Drawing

Dimensioned line drawing of M3 Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts) to Trade series (blind rivet nut). Side view and top view, drawn to the dimensions in the table below and redrawn for any size selected.

- **Body diameter (mm):** 5.0
- **Body length (mm):** 9.5
- **Grip range (mm):** 0.5~1.5
- **Hole diameter (mm):** 5.0
- **Head diameter (mm):** 7.0
- **Body form:** Round, open end
- **Material:** Steel zinc / A2

## Dimensions & Specifications (Trade series (blind rivet nut))

| Thread size | Body diameter (mm) | Body length (mm) | Grip range (mm) | Hole diameter (mm) | Head diameter (mm) | Body form | Material |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| M3 | 5.0 | 9.5 | 0.5~1.5 | 5.0 | 7.0 | Round, open end | Steel zinc / A2 |
| M4 | 6.0 | 11.5 | 0.5~2.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | Round, open end | Steel zinc / A2 |
| M5 | 7.0 | 12.5 | 0.5~3.0 | 7.0 | 10.0 | Round, open end | Steel zinc / A2 |
| M6 | 9.0 | 15.5 | 0.5~3.0 | 9.0 | 13.0 | Round, open end | Steel zinc / A2 |
| M8 | 11.0 | 17.0 | 0.5~3.5 | 11.0 | 16.0 | Round, open end | Steel zinc |
| M10 | 13.0 | 19.0 | 1.0~4.0 | 13.0 | 18.0 | Round, open end | Steel zinc |

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 Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts)?

They are commonly specified in frames & weldments, general machine building and maintenance & repair (mro), among other sectors.

### How do I choose the right size of Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts)?

Match the nominal size to the mating thread or hole. This product is available from M3 to M10; the full dimension table on this page lists each size.

### Do Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts) need a locking feature?

If the joint sees vibration or cyclic load, use a locking style (nyloc, all-metal lock, or serrated flange) or a thread-locking adhesive. For static joints a standard nut tightened correctly is usually sufficient.

### What material should Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts) 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 Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts) 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: [Rivet Nuts (Blind Threaded Inserts) — specifications & sizes](https://engineeringhardware.com/fastener/rivet-nuts-blind-inserts/)

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