Clinching Technology: Self-Clinching Fasteners

What Is Clinching Technology?

Self-clinching is a secure, robust fastening solution suitable for various metals and sheet thicknesses. This is how it works:

A self-clinching fastener is pressed into the workpiece, displacing the host material around the mounting hole. This causes the material to cold flow into a specially designed annular recess in the fastener’s shank or pilot. A serrated clinching ring or a special head shape prevents the fastener from rotating after installation.

The self-clinching fasteners for PC boards broach or cut into the material, creating an interference-type fit. In both cases, the result is a permanent connection that eliminates the need for loose parts like nuts and washers.

Advantages and Applications

Self-clinching fasteners provide strong mounting points and high push-out as well as torque-out performance. They are also cleaner than traditional fastening methods like spot welding – all without causing panel damage or bulging. In addition, the easy installation process allows you to save costs and benefit from shorter assembly times.

Self-clinching fasteners can be installed into a wide variety of materials and provide reliable fastening connections for diverse industries such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, enclosures/housings, mechanical engineering, or medical and life science applications.

Types of Self-Clinching Fasteners

The core product types in an extensive portfolio of clinching fasteners are

• Self-clinching nuts
• Self-clinching studs
• Self-clinching standoffs
• Pins
• Panel fasteners
• Right-angle fasteners
• Snap-top fasteners
• SpotFast

We supply branded self-clinching solutions, including the following:

The products listed here may not be available in all countries. In case of questions, please contact us.