Rivet Nut Engineering Reference
This engineering reference page covers rivet nut performance characteristics, dimensional standards, and references for design engineers specifying rivet nuts in new applications. We focus on the data published in manufacturer literature (specifically RivetKing’s 2025 product catalog) and well-established industry standards. For specific per-SKU load testing data, work with the manufacturer engineering team during the design qualification phase.
RivetKing IKF Series Performance Data
Performance Data Disclaimer. The performance values shown are sourced from RivetKing’s published Rev. B test data (May 2023), based on laboratory testing in zinc-plated steel rivet nuts installed in flat sheet stock at the panel thicknesses listed. Actual performance in your application depends on panel material and condition, hole tolerance, installation tool calibration, operator technique, and environmental factors. For application-specific qualification, contact RivetKing engineering through us; do not use these values as design loads without independent validation in your installation conditions. Eugene Fastener & Supply provides this data as a reference; we do not warrant performance for any specific application beyond the conditions described in RivetKing’s test report.
Rivet nut performance is characterized across four primary metrics: pull-out strength (static tension), push-out strength, spin-out resistance (anti-rotation), and recommended assembly torque. The tables below cover the IKF series in zinc-plated steel, the most common configuration we stock. Aluminum and stainless variants follow generally similar patterns but specific values vary — contact us for material-specific test data.
Pull-Out Strength — Inch Sizes (lbf)
The axial load required to pull the installed rivet nut out of the panel. Pull-out scales with both rivet nut size and panel thickness. Values shown are for a single rivet nut at the specified panel thickness.
| Thread Size | In Steel Sheet | In Aluminum Sheet | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.030″ | 0.062″ | 0.125″ | 0.030″ | 0.062″ | 0.125″ | |
| #6-32 | 270 | 660 | 990 | 270 | 660 | 990 |
| #8-32 | 310 | 850 | 1,570 | 320 | 830 | 1,450 |
| #10-24 | 460 | 1,020 | 1,830 | 320 | 1,000 | 1,580 |
| #10-32 | 460 | 1,020 | 1,830 | 320 | 1,000 | 1,580 |
| 1/4-20 | 510 | 1,110 | 2,090 | 440 | 1,180 | 2,380 |
| 5/16-18 | 460 | 1,370 | 3,250 | 440 | 1,500 | 2,380 |
| 3/8-16 | 520 | 1,370 | 3,810 | 500 | 1,350 | 3,670 |
| 1/2-13 | 520 | 2,000 | 3,810 | — | 1,350 | 3,670 |
Pull-Out Strength — Metric Sizes (kN)
| Thread Size | In Steel Sheet | In Aluminum Sheet | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.76mm | 1.57mm | 3.17mm | 0.76mm | 1.57mm | 3.17mm | |
| M4 | 1.4 | 3.8 | 7.0 | 1.7 | 3.7 | 7.0 |
| M5 | 2.0 | 4.5 | 7.7 | 1.9 | 4.5 | 7.6 |
| M6 | 2.3 | 5.7 | 9.3 | 1.9 | 5.3 | 8.5 |
| M8 | 2.3 | 6.1 | 10.6 | 2.2 | 6.0 | 9.9 |
| M10 | — | 6.1 | 10.6 | — | 6.0 | 9.9 |
| M12 | 8.9 | 13.5 | 19.9 | 8.1 | 13.1 | 19.4 |
Push-Out, Spin-Out, and Assembly Torque
Push-out is the force required to push the rivet nut through the panel from the front face (the inverse of pull-out, less commonly tested but useful for impact-loaded applications). Spin-out is the rotational torque required to spin the rivet nut in the hole — this is a primary anti-rotation metric. Assembly torque is the recommended torque value for tightening a bolt into the installed rivet nut.
| Thread Size | Push-Out (lbf) in Steel | Spin-Out (in-lbs) at 0.062″ | Recommended Assembly Torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| at 0.125″ | In Steel | In Aluminum | (in-lbs) | |
| #6-32 | 2,000 | 40 | 40 | 12 |
| #8-32 | 1,830 | 40 | 40 | 22 |
| #10-24 | 1,830 | 40 | 40 | 32 |
| #10-32 | 1,830 | 40 | 40 | 36 |
| 1/4-20 | 2,670 | 40 | 80 | 75 |
| 5/16-18 | 3,020 | 80 | 110 | 156 |
| 3/8-16 | 3,380 | 240 | 220 | 276 |
| 1/2-13 | 3,700 | 320 | 320 | 660 |
| M4 | 180 | 4.5 | 6.5 | 21 |
| M5 | 320 | 19 | 7.0 | 36 |
| M6 | 450 | 80 | 60 | 156 |
| M8 | 1,180 | 156 | 120 | 276 |
| M10 | — | 240 | 230 | 660 |
| M12 | — | — | — | 720 |
Source: RivetKing Steel Blind Rivet Nuts Performance Test Data Rev. B (May 2023), Industrial Rivet & Fastener Co. Test conditions: zinc-plated steel rivet nuts in flat sheet stock; metric force values in kN, inch values in lbf and in-lbs as labeled.
Material Variation Notes
The values above are for zinc-plated steel rivet nuts. For other material variants:
- Aluminum rivet nuts typically deliver 40-60% of the corresponding steel pull-out values, and require torque values reduced by approximately 50% to avoid thread stripping. Use aluminum rivet nuts only when the application loads are well within the lower aluminum capacity.
- 18-8 stainless rivet nuts typically deliver pull-out values comparable to zinc-plated steel, with slightly lower torque-out resistance. Use anti-seize on bolt threads to prevent galling during repeated assembly.
- For application-specific test data on aluminum or stainless variants, contact us — RivetKing publishes additional data sheets per material that we can route to engineering teams.
Performance Characteristics — Design Considerations
Beyond the raw test values, design engineers should consider these factors for each metric:
1. Pull-Out Strength (Static Tension)
The axial load required to pull the installed rivet nut out of the panel. Tested per ASTM-style methods by applying axial tension to a bolt threaded into the rivet nut until the rivet nut pulls through or fails.
Affected by: rivet nut diameter, panel thickness within grip range, panel material (harder panels resist pullout better), proper installation (full body collapse).
Critical insight from the data above: pull-out strength scales significantly with panel thickness. A 1/4-20 IKF in 0.030″ steel sheet has 510 lbf pull-out; the same SKU in 0.125″ steel sheet has 2,090 lbf — over 4x the value. Panel thickness, not just rivet nut size, is a primary determinant of joint capacity. Match grip range to panel thickness for maximum performance.
2. Torque-Out Resistance (Anti-Rotation)
The torque required to spin the rivet nut in the hole. This is a primary design consideration when the rivet nut will see assembly torque from a threaded bolt.
Affected by: body design (knurled vs hex), panel material hardness, hole tolerance (oversize hole reduces grip), installation force (under-set rivet nut has reduced grip).
Design rule of thumb: the recommended bolt torque for a Grade 5/8.8 fastener should be well below the rivet nut’s torque-out resistance. For standard knurled rivet nuts in mild steel, torque-out resistance is typically 1.5-2x the recommended bolt torque for that thread size. For hex-body rivet nuts in hex holes, mechanical interlock provides much higher torque-out resistance — limited primarily by the shear strength of the panel material around the hex.
3. Recommended Bolt Torque (Threading)
Standard fastener torque values (Grade 5 / Grade 8.8 baseline) for the bolt threading INTO the installed rivet nut. The rivet nut itself doesn’t change the torque spec — it provides a permanent thread that behaves like any other tapped hole.
| Thread Size | Grade 5 / 8.8 Steel | Grade 8 / 10.9 Steel |
|---|---|---|
| #6-32 | 8 in-lbs | 11 in-lbs |
| #8-32 | 17 in-lbs | 24 in-lbs |
| #10-24 | 27 in-lbs | 38 in-lbs |
| #10-32 | 31 in-lbs | 43 in-lbs |
| 1/4-20 | 75 in-lbs (6.25 ft-lbs) | 106 in-lbs (8.8 ft-lbs) |
| 5/16-18 | 132 in-lbs (11 ft-lbs) | 187 in-lbs (15.6 ft-lbs) |
| 3/8-16 | 240 in-lbs (20 ft-lbs) | 340 in-lbs (28.3 ft-lbs) |
| 1/2-13 | 600 in-lbs (50 ft-lbs) | 850 in-lbs (70.8 ft-lbs) |
| M4 × 0.7 | 26 in-lbs (3 N·m) | 37 in-lbs (4.2 N·m) |
| M5 × 0.8 | 50 in-lbs (5.7 N·m) | 71 in-lbs (8.0 N·m) |
| M6 × 1.0 | 90 in-lbs (10 N·m) | 127 in-lbs (14 N·m) |
| M8 × 1.25 | 220 in-lbs (24 N·m) | 312 in-lbs (35 N·m) |
| M10 × 1.50 | 425 in-lbs (48 N·m) | 602 in-lbs (68 N·m) |
| M12 × 1.75 | 740 in-lbs (84 N·m) | 1,049 in-lbs (118 N·m) |
Important caveats:
- Aluminum rivet nuts: reduce these values by ~50% to avoid stripping the threads.
- 18-8 stainless: use anti-seize on the bolt threads to prevent galling; otherwise torque values are similar to steel.
- Always verify the rivet nut’s torque-out resistance is higher than your applied bolt torque (otherwise the rivet nut spins instead of the bolt tightening).
4. Vibration / Fatigue Resistance
Rivet nut behavior under cyclic loading depends heavily on installation quality and joint design. A properly-installed rivet nut with full body collapse and proper flange contact is significantly more vibration-resistant than a marginally-set one. For high-vibration applications (automotive, off-road, machinery), consider:
- Use threadlocker on the BOLT (not on the rivet nut body during installation).
- Hex-body rivet nuts (mechanical interlock) outperform round-body knurled rivet nuts under sustained vibration.
- Larger diameter rivet nuts have more friction grip and better resist vibration loosening.
- Proper installation — an under-set rivet nut will fail under vibration much sooner than a properly-set one.
5. Corrosion Resistance
Material-dependent. See Material Selection Guide for full coverage. Quick reference:
- Yellow zinc plated steel: 96-200 hours salt spray resistance per ASTM B117. Indoor and dry outdoor only.
- Aluminum (5052/6061): moderate atmospheric resistance; galvanic risk in saltwater contact with copper or stainless.
- 18-8 stainless (304): indefinite atmospheric resistance; good in saltwater splash, not ideal for full immersion.
- 316 stainless: indefinite resistance even in chloride immersion; specify for harsh marine environments.
Dimensional Standards (RivetKing 2025 Catalog)
Hole Tolerance
RivetKing specifies a hole tolerance of +0.006″ / -0.000″ for inch sizes (positive direction only) and +0.15 mm / -0.00 mm for metric sizes. Undersized holes prevent proper rivet nut seating; oversized holes reduce anti-rotation grip.
Dimensional Tolerances
- Rivet nut overall length: ±0.015″ (inch) / ±0.38mm (metric)
- Head diameter: ±0.010″ (inch) / ±0.25mm (metric); ±0.025″ / ±0.64mm for sizes 5/16″ and 3/8″
- Head height: ±0.003″ (inch) / ±0.08mm (metric)
- Body diameter: maximum dimension specified; tolerance per RivetKing spec sheet
Materials
- Steel (S): low-carbon steel, AISI 1006-1018 grade
- Aluminum (A): 5052-H32 or 6061 alloy, varies by manufacturer
- Stainless (3): 300 series, typically 304 stainless steel
- Brass (B): alloy 360, available for specialty applications
Finishes (per RivetKing part number suffix)
- Y: Zinc Yellow Plated, RoHS compliant
- Z: Zinc Clear Plated, RoHS compliant
- P: Plain Finish (typical for aluminum and stainless)
- C: Cadmium Clear Plated
- CY: Cadmium Yellow Plated
- ZN: Zinc Nickel, 800 hours salt spray
- ZNB: Zinc Nickel Black
- T: Tin Plated, RoHS compliant
- TZ: Tin Zinc Plated
Industry Standards and References
Common standards relevant to rivet nut design and qualification:
- ASTM B117 — Salt spray testing for corrosion resistance qualification
- ASTM F606 — Standard test methods for mechanical properties of fasteners (tension, torque, shear)
- ASTM B633 — Zinc plating standard (covers yellow and clear zinc)
- ASTM A276 — Stainless steel bar / rod material standard (304, 316)
- RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU — Restriction of hazardous substances (relevant for cadmium-restricted applications)
- ISO 898-1 — Mechanical properties of fasteners (Grade 8.8, 10.9, etc.)
- SAE J429 — Mechanical and material requirements for externally threaded fasteners (Grade 5, 8)
Key Design Considerations
Joint Design
- Edge distance: minimum 2x rivet nut diameter from any panel edge to prevent panel deformation during installation and edge tear-out under load.
- Spacing between rivet nuts: minimum 4x rivet nut diameter center-to-center to prevent installation interference and panel deformation.
- Panel thickness: verify within the rivet nut’s grip range. Use ISR series for variable or unknown thickness.
- Bolt engagement depth: for closed-end rivet nuts, available threading depth is typically 1.5-2x the nominal diameter. Verify bolt length doesn’t exceed the available depth.
Material Compatibility
- Galvanic compatibility: match metals where possible to avoid dissimilar-metal corrosion in moist environments.
- Thermal expansion: if the assembly will see significant temperature cycling, verify CTE compatibility between rivet nut and panel materials. Aluminum rivet nuts in steel panels can loosen over thermal cycles due to differential expansion.
- Chemical compatibility: verify the rivet nut material against fluids, solvents, or atmospheres in the application environment.
Load Considerations
- Static vs dynamic loads: dynamic loading reduces effective capacity. Apply appropriate factor of safety (typically 2-4x for static, 4-8x for dynamic) over published static values.
- Combined loading: tension + shear + torque combinations require interaction analysis. Pull-out values typically degrade significantly under combined loading.
- Not for primary structural use: rivet nuts are appropriate for accessory mounting, panel attachment, and serviceable connections. Welded or through-bolted joints are required for primary structural load paths.
Application Qualification Testing
For applications where rivet nut performance is critical, qualification testing is recommended:
- Sample install on production-representative panels with production tooling and operators.
- Visual inspection — flange flush, full body collapse, no tilt or distortion.
- Pull-out testing per ASTM F606 or equivalent — sample 5-10 installs, measure failure load.
- Torque-out testing — sample 5-10 installs, measure rotation breakaway torque.
- Salt spray exposure per ASTM B117 if corrosion resistance is critical — minimum 96 hours for zinc-plated, 200+ hours for stainless qualification.
- Cyclic / vibration testing per application requirements if dynamic loading is significant.
For RivetKing’s engineering data on specific SKUs, contact us — we can route engineering questions directly to RivetKing’s technical team for qualification support.
Related Resources
- Rivet Nut Selection Guide — choosing IKF vs ISR series, head styles, and grip ranges
- Rivet Nut Material Selection Guide — steel, aluminum, and stainless comparison
- Hex Body vs Round Body — anti-rotation design considerations
- Closed-End vs Open-End Rivet Nuts — sealing for fluid/gas-tight applications
- Rivet Nut Drill Bit & Hole Size Chart — matched drill bits and tolerances
- Troubleshooting Rivet Nut Failures — failure mode analysis
- Shop Rivet Nuts (IKF & ISR)