Thickwall Smooth Large Head Aluminum Rivet Nuts

Why thickwall makes a difference on a smooth body

A smooth body has no ribs or flats to bite the hole, so everything depends on how hard the collapsed body presses outward against the hole wall. That is where wall thickness earns its keep. More material in the shank means more radial force when the insert is set, and more resistance before the insert will turn under a torqued bolt. It also means a stronger thread, since there is more metal supporting it. The cost is grip range flexibility: a thickwall body needs more force to collapse and works best in the moderate panel thicknesses these are rated for, where a thinwall insert would be the choice for very light sheet.

Why choose thickwall smooth aluminum rivet nuts

• Thicker wall gives higher radial grip and better spin resistance than thinwall
• Stronger thread with more material supporting it
• No dissimilar metal against aluminum panels, so no galvanic corrosion
• Smooth body installs in a plain drilled hole with no special preparation
• Large flat head spreads load and resists pull-through
• Lightweight and easy to set compared with stainless

Sizes and grip ranges

• 1/4-20, 0.625 inch length, 0.020 to 0.080 inch grip range
• 5/16-18, 0.750 inch length, 0.030 to 0.125 inch grip range
• Drill the hole to the specified diameter, since oversize holes cause spin-out
• Measure total panel thickness against the grip range before ordering

Common applications

• Aluminum trailer and RV panels and fixtures
• Aluminum boat hulls, trim, and marine fittings
• Aluminum enclosures and equipment housings
• Truck bodies and automotive accessory mounting on aluminum
• Retrofit work in existing drilled holes
• Any aluminum panel where a steel insert would corrode the material around it

For steel panels or higher strength, our stainless options in the ribbed rivet nut range carry more load. Where the joint sees high torque, ribbed or half hex bodies resist spinning far better.

Related Categories

• Flat Head Round Body Rivet Nuts
• Round Body Rivet Nuts (Smooth)
• Ribbed / Knurled Rivet Nuts
• Rivet Nuts
• Rivet Tools

Thickwall Smooth Aluminum Rivet Nut FAQs

Are aluminum rivet nuts strong enough?

For most panel and accessory mounting, yes, and thickwall construction adds meaningful strength over thinwall. For high load or high torque joints, stainless carries considerably more. Match the insert to the load rather than defaulting to either material.

Why not use a steel insert in an aluminum panel?

Galvanic corrosion. Steel is more noble than aluminum, so in the presence of moisture the aluminum around each hole corrodes preferentially, gradually enlarging the hole until the insert loosens. Matching aluminum to aluminum removes the couple entirely.

What hole size should I drill?

Exactly the specified diameter for the insert. This is the most important dimension in the whole installation. Oversize by even a small margin and the body cannot generate the radial pressure it needs, and the insert will spin under torque.

How do I know when the insert is fully set?

The tool will resist noticeably as the body finishes collapsing and the head pulls tight against the panel. Stop there. Continuing to pull can strip the insert's thread against the mandrel or crack the body.

Can I use these in fiberglass?

With care. The large head spreads load, but the collapsing body exerts outward pressure that can crack brittle material. Test in scrap first, and consider a well nut if the panel is fragile or needs sealing.

What tool do I need for 5/16-18?

A rivet nut tool with a 5/16-18 mandrel. This size takes real effort with a basic hand tool, so a ratcheting or pneudraulic tool is worth having if you are installing more than a few.