Are Rivet Nut Waterproof？
Leading Rivet Nut Manufacturer and Supplier in China
Are Rivet Nuts Waterproof? Waterproof rivet nuts offer a reliable solution for preventing moisture, dust, and corrosion from affecting your fastenings. In this blog, we explore the features, benefits, and applications of waterproof rivet nuts, helping you understand why they are essential for high-performance, durable connections in various industries.
Table of Contents
1. Types of Rivet Nuts
Basic Structure of Rivet Nuts
A rivet nut is a fastener designed specifically for thin sheet materials and hollow tubes, featuring an internal thread structure that allows it to provide a stable threaded connection in materials that are too thin for direct threading or for using regular nuts. The main components include:
- Threaded Hole: The internal threaded portion allows screws or bolts to be screwed in, ensuring a secure connection.
- Riveting Section: During installation, this part undergoes plastic deformation and securely anchors to the workpiece, creating a stable locking effect.
- Flange (on some models): Used to increase the contact area, enhancing the rivet nut’s pull-out resistance and anti-rotation capabilities.
Common Types of Rivet Nuts
Based on their structural features and application requirements, rivet nuts are mainly divided into the following types:
1. Open End Rivet Nuts:
- Also known as through-hole rivet nuts, these have open ends at both sides, a simple structure, and are used for general fastening needs.
- Due to the exposure of the internal threads, they do not provide waterproof or dustproof properties and may be affected in humid or corrosive environments.
2. Closed End Rivet Nuts:
- Also known as waterproof rivet nuts or blind rivet nuts, these have one completely sealed end, effectively preventing water, dust, or other contaminants from entering the threaded area.
- Suitable for applications requiring waterproofing and corrosion resistance, such as automotive chassis, marine equipment, outdoor electrical enclosures, etc.
- The flange portion is designed with a countersunk structure, which allows it to sit flush with the workpiece surface once installed, improving the overall aesthetic. It is ideal for electronic devices, precision instruments, and other industries.
- These have a smaller flange size and are ideal for applications with space limitations or high demands for surface smoothness.
- These have knurled patterns on the riveting section to increase friction with the workpiece, enhancing anti-rotation performance. They are suitable for applications that endure high torque.
Common Materials for Rivet Nuts
Depending on the application environment and mechanical requirements, rivet nuts are typically made from the following materials:
- Stainless Steel Rivet Nuts: Such as 304 and 316 stainless steel, offering excellent corrosion resistance and oxidation resistance, suitable for marine, outdoor, food processing, and medical equipment environments.
- Carbon Steel Rivet Nuts: High strength, usually treated with galvanizing, electrophoresis, or dacromet coating to improve corrosion resistance, widely used in automotive and machinery manufacturing industries.
- Aluminum Rivet Nuts: Lightweight and corrosion-resistant, suitable for industries that are sensitive to weight, such as aerospace and electronics.
2. Are Rivet Nuts Waterproof?
Standard rivet nuts use a through-hole design, meaning both ends are open and they cannot effectively prevent the penetration of water or moisture. Therefore, when standard rivet nuts are used in humid or highly corrosive environments, moisture can enter the fastener through the threaded holes, potentially causing the following issues:
Rusting of Threads:
The threads of rivet nuts are typically made of carbon steel or stainless steel. In humid environments, moisture can seep into the threads, leading to oxidation and corrosion, causing the thread surface to become rough and uneven. This not only affects the rivet nut’s locking ability but also makes the assembly process more difficult and increases friction during disassembly.
Corrosive Damage:
In highly corrosive environments, moisture can react with salts, acidic gases, and other substances in the air, accelerating the corrosion of the threads. This corrosion can damage the rivet nut itself and may compromise the surface of the connected material, even affecting the connected parts, leading to a significant reduction in the overall component’s lifespan.
Electrical Short Circuits:
In electrical and electronic applications, a through-hole rivet nut may allow moisture to seep into circuit boards, terminals, or other electronic components, leading to short circuits or other electrical failures. This is especially problematic when rivet nuts are used to fasten electrical enclosures, where moisture may enter through the holes, causing the electronic components to become damp, impairing electrical performance, or even causing complete device failure.
Impact on Sealing:
In specific industrial applications, such as hydraulic or pneumatic systems, the through-hole design of standard rivet nuts can compromise sealing, leading to fluid leakage. In environments with high fluid or gas pressure, moisture or other liquids may seep into the system through the rivet nut holes, affecting the proper functioning of the equipment.
3. What Are Waterproof Rivet Nuts?
A Waterproof Rivet Nut (also known as a Blind Rivet Nut) is a special type of rivet nut designed with a closed-end structure to provide waterproof, dustproof, and corrosion-resistant fastening solutions. Unlike traditional through-hole rivet nuts, the closed end of a watertight rivet nut effectively prevents moisture, humidity, dust, oil, and other substances from penetrating the threaded area, ensuring enhanced protection for the fastening point and improving stability and durability in humid or corrosive environments.
Key Features
Closed-End Structure：
One end of the waterproof rivet nut is sealed to prevent water, moisture, or other liquids from entering through the threaded hole. This design makes it ideal for applications exposed to moisture, humidity, chemicals, or extreme weather conditions. The closed end effectively blocks liquid infiltration, ensuring that the internal structure remains unaffected.
Corrosion-Resistant Materials：
Watertight rivet nuts are typically made from highly corrosion-resistant materials such as 304 or 316 stainless steel and galvanized steel. These materials offer excellent resistance to corrosion, allowing the rivet nut to withstand extreme environments such as high humidity, salt spray, or chemical exposure, ensuring long-term stability. They are especially suitable for industries like marine, chemical, electronics, automotive, and outdoor facilities, where high water resistance is crucial.
Enhanced Sealing Performance:
The closed-end design not only prevents moisture penetration but also improves the sealability of the fastener, preventing external contaminants like dust, oil, and grime from entering the connection point. This helps reduce the risk of damage or malfunction caused by contamination from the external environment.
Wide Application Range:
Due to its closed design and corrosion-resistant properties, waterproof rivet nuts are widely used in industries requiring waterproof and dustproof protection, including the automotive industry, electronic devices, medical equipment, aerospace, and construction facilities. They are particularly effective in environments where humidity, high moisture, or chemical corrosion are prevalent, enhancing connection stability and longevity.
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4. Applications of Waterproof Rivet Nuts
Due to their excellent sealing properties and corrosion resistance, waterproof rivet nuts are widely used in various fields that require waterproofing, dustproofing, or corrosion resistance. Here are some typical application scenarios:
Automotive Manufacturing:
Waterproof rivet nuts are used in automotive body panels, chassis, battery compartments, and other components to prevent moisture and humidity from entering connection points. They protect internal electronic components and structures, ensuring the vehicle’s long-term stability under humid or harsh weather conditions. Especially in battery compartments, watertight rivet nuts help prevent water damage to batteries and electrical systems.
Marine Engineering:
In marine applications such as ships, port equipment, and offshore platforms, waterproof rivet nuts help prevent seawater corrosion. The high salt content and humid climate in marine environments are highly corrosive to fasteners, making the waterproof and corrosion-resistant properties of these rivet nuts essential for ensuring the stability of equipment during long-term use.
Outdoor Electronic Devices:
Waterproof rivet nuts are widely used in communication base stations, surveillance equipment, and other outdoor electronic devices that are often exposed to rain, humidity, or harsh weather conditions. These rivet nuts ensure that the electrical components of the devices are protected from moisture, increasing the durability and reliability of the equipment.
New Energy Industry:
In renewable energy sectors such as solar photovoltaic brackets and wind power equipment, waterproof rivet nuts effectively enhance the durability of the equipment. Particularly in harsh weather conditions, the waterproof and corrosion-resistant functions of watertight rivet nuts ensure that the equipment operates without environmental interference, extending its service life.
5. How to Choose the Right Waterproof Rivet Nut?
Selecting the appropriate waterproof rivet nuts require considering multiple factors to ensure their waterproof performance and durability in specific application scenarios. Here are the key elements to focus on when choosing watertight rivet nuts:
Material Selection:
The material is a crucial factor influencing the performance of a waterproof rivet nut. Stainless steel (such as 304 or 316 stainless steel) is the most commonly used material due to its excellent corrosion resistance, making it particularly suitable for marine, outdoor, or high-humidity environments. 316 stainless steel offers superior resistance to chloride corrosion compared to 304 stainless steel, making it ideal for extreme environmental applications. Additionally, galvanized steel is another common choice for less corrosive environments, although its corrosion resistance is not as high as stainless steel.
Sealing Requirements:
Waterproof rivet nuts typically feature a closed-end design, but in certain cases, additional waterproof gaskets or sealing coatings may be required to further enhance their waterproof effect. The gasket materials are generally made of rubber or silicone, which can increase the sealing performance and ensure that the connection point of the rivet nut is completely waterproof. This is especially important in applications exposed to high humidity or rainy environments. For equipment frequently exposed to underwater or high-pressure water flow environments, it is more appropriate to choose a watertight rivet nut with added sealing functionality.
Size and Specification:
The size and specification of the waterproof rivet nuts should be chosen according to the material thickness and thread requirements in the actual application. First, the thickness of the material needs to be determined, with common thickness ranges from 0.5mm to 6mm. When choosing a watertight rivet nut, make sure that the material thickness is within the working range of the nut. Next, the thread specification must be confirmed. Common thread sizes include M3, M4, M5, M6, M8, M10, etc. Choose a thread size that matches the bolts or screws used in the application to ensure a strong and reliable connection.
For example, if the application involves a metal sheet with a thickness of 2mm and requires an M5 thread waterproof rivet nut, the appropriate model would be M5 x 2.5mm.
6. Conclusion: Are Rivet Nuts Waterproof?
The main difference between standard rivet nuts and waterproof rivet nuts lies in their waterproof capabilities. Standard rivet nuts typically feature a through-hole design, meaning both ends are open. This design allows water, moisture, and other liquids to enter the rivet nut through the threaded hole, leading to corrosion, loosening, or failure of the rivet nut.
In contrast, waterproof rivet nuts feature a closed-end design, where one end is completely sealed, effectively preventing water, moisture, dust, and other external contaminants from penetrating the fastener. The sealing performance of watertight rivet nuts ensures long-term stability of the connection, preventing moisture from causing corrosion or other damage.
For applications requiring waterproof and corrosion-resistant properties, choosing a waterproof rivet nut is the best option to ensure the durability and reliability of connection components.
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Recommended Rivet Nut Suppliers
1. Rivetfix
Rivetfix is a leading rivet nut supplier in China, specializing in providing high-quality rivet nuts and related fastening solutions. The company offers a wide range of products, including standard rivet nuts, waterproof rivet nuts, countersunk rivet nuts, and more, suitable for various industries such as automotive, electronics, and machinery.
Rivetfix provides customized services, capable of designing and manufacturing rivet nuts based on specific customer requirements. As a professional rivet nut supplier, Rivetfix also offers efficient logistics support and after-sales services to help customers reduce maintenance costs and improve production efficiency.
Böllhoff is a globally renowned fastening solutions provider headquartered in Germany with over 70 years of industry experience. The company offers comprehensive rivet nut solutions, widely used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and machinery.
Böllhoff’s rivet nut products include waterproof rivet nuts, standard rivet nuts, and custom products, all meeting international quality standards. Its innovative riveting technology and highly automated production processes ensure high-quality and reliable products.
TR Fastenings is a leading global fastening solutions supplier, offering a full range of rivet nuts and related accessories. The rivet nuts provided by TR Fastenings are widely used in industries such as automotive, industrial machinery, electronics, and energy. The company’s products are known for their high quality, innovative design, and excellent value for money.
TR Fastenings can provide rivet nuts with specific sizes, materials, and application types according to customer needs. Its global service network allows customers to enjoy fast delivery and technical support worldwide.
Stelfast is a supplier focused on providing high-quality rivet nuts and fastening solutions, mainly serving industries such as automotive, industrial machinery, and electrical equipment. The rivet nuts offered by Stelfast are known for their excellent corrosion resistance and strength, suitable for use in harsh environments.
The company also offers customized rivet nut solutions for specific applications, ensuring that its products perform optimally in various conditions. Stelfast has a strong reputation in the industry, trusted by global customers due to its advanced manufacturing technology and efficient customer service.
Bossard is a globally recognized fastening solutions provider headquartered in Switzerland, offering a variety of rivet nuts and related fastening products, widely used in automotive, aerospace, electronics, and industrial manufacturing industries. Bossard’s rivet nut products are known for their high strength, corrosion resistance, and precision.
The company also uses smart logistics and Industry 4.0 technology to provide integrated supply chain solutions, helping customers optimize production processes. Bossard also offers extensive technical support, including fastener selection, engineering consulting, and more, to help customers improve production efficiency and product quality.
Rivetfix - Leading Rivet Nuts Supplier in China
As a leading fastener manufacturer in China with more than 15 years in the industry, Rivetfix are committed to providing first-class quality fasteners and responsive services to the world.
Rivetfix offers a wide range of rivet nuts and plus nuts designed to meet the unique demands of your projects. With options like countersunk, flat, and hex heads, as well as knurled and round body types, Rivetfix ensures you have the right solution for every application. Choose Rivetfix for versatile, cost-effective, and durable fastening solutions tailored to your specific needs. In addition, we can also provide customized rivet nuts service according to your requirements.
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