Captive Fastener Corporation is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of self-clinching fasteners. Since 1974, they have been producing the finest quality self-clinching fasteners at their facility in Oakland, New Jersey.
Secure fasteners for thin material
Captive self-clinching fasteners are both an ideal and efficient fastening system that allows load-bearing male and female threads to be attached to components with a panel thickness of as little as 0.5 mm. Through cold-forming, Captive fasteners ensure flush and permanent installation even on a wide range of different materials. High pull-out and pull-through strengths are guaranteed. For nonmetallic or brittle materials, such as circuit boards, self-clinching fasteners offer a specially designed serration.
Comparison with other joining methods
Compared to other joining processes, such as welding, Captive offers numerous benefits: No warping or discolouration of sheet panels, no restrictions as far as weldable or unvarnished materials are concerned, low acquisition costs and running costs for energy, maintenance and distribution. Non-detrimental to health or the environment, no extensive secondary operations.
Self-clinching blind fasteners
provide more extended thread lengths than their through-hole counterparts. They seal the thread to prevent the ingress of dirt, oils, moisture, and corrosive atmospheres. They are usually more economical to use than nuts and fasteners that require elaborate seals and special assembly procedures.
Self-clinching studs & threaded studs
With these studs, the components can be laid in place prior to being fastened. Available in numerous standard lengths, the studs sit securely anchored in the component. Nuts or other fastener types can be screwed on and pressed in. Depending on the line, the studs fit flush on the component.
Threaded self-clinching studs for blind hole applications
Threaded self-clinching studs are pressed into cylindrical, milled blind holes. The underside of the sheet panel remains undamaged and the fastener is “invisible” when installed on the sheet panel. Also available as threaded self-clinching standoffs.
Captive® threaded studs with dog-point stud (DP)
Captive® threaded studs from the CH, TCH, HCH, CHTS and HCW series are available with a dog-point stud for automated installation. This converts into enormous time savings during installation. For all inquiries, please use the following article description:
Installation and use
Captive self-clinching fasteners are pressed into round mounting holes and can be automatically fitted using standard assembly presses. Captive fasteners are significantly more cost-effective than other fastening methods during initial installation in particular. They are used in numerous key technologies, such as the automotive, sub-supplier, electronics and computer industries. But also in many other sectors of industry where durable and permanent fasteners are required for thin sheet metal or plastic parts.
Technical specifications
- Standard self-clinching fasteners
- Thread tolerance for self-clinching nuts: 6H
- Self-clinching threaded standoffs: 6H
- Self-clinching threaded studs: 6g
- Standard surface coating for steel self-clinching fasteners: zinc plate and clear passivate
- Layer thickness: 5µm
- Corrosion resistance: min. 12h WR / 72h RR
- Stainless steel self-clinching fasteners Passivation performed in compliance with ASTM A967 (Please consult page in catalogue)
- 300 series: A2 stainless steel
- 400 series: limited rust and acid resistance
- A4 stainless steel on request
- Numerous other finishes available on request
- All dimensions in millimetres
Benefits at a glance
- Highly durable threads in thin sheeting
- Can be used in stamped, lasered or drilled round holes
- High pull-out and pull-through strength
- Significant cost savings due to automatic feed during installation
- Can be installed on coated metal sheeting without difficulty
- No special pre-working required — No secondary operations required
- Very accurate positioning, perfectly square to the sheet or panel
- RoHS & REACH compliant Exception:
- Series: CFFS, CFFC, CFE, CFEO
- Finish: CC, CB, CI, EF, DM, TL (not standard)
Other important notes
Wherever the symbol (-) is displayed under the Article No. in the catalogue, please order based on the description, e.g. (CH M3-25).
Recommended installation procedure
To achieve the correct installation results for Captive® self-clinching fasteners, please follow the 13 simple rules listed below:
| Always | Never |
| Ensure that the mounting hole is properly sized for each fastener. | Install steel and niro steel faste- ners in aluminium before the panels have been anodised. |
| Make sure that the fastener shank is square within the hole before applying any pressure. | Do not deburr mounting holes, as the burr helps to clinch the faste- ner into the sheet |
| Observe that the hole sizes and edge distances are complied with. See information in catalogue. | Install the fastener closer to the edge of the sheet than specified in the dimension table for the fastener in use |
| Apply the squeezing action horizontally (not at an angle). | Apply too much installation force as this will result in the fastener head deforming and/or the panel buckling. |
| Use sufficient installation force to fully embed the clinching ring. | Use a hammer to install the fastener as the sheet metal will not have enough time to flow into the clinching profile. |
| The self-clinching fastener must always be harder than the material that it is being installed on. Please also consult the information provided in this catalogue | Install the screw from the head side of the fastener. Install from the opposite side as this will direct the load towards the panel. |
| Use hydraulic presses. The equal pressure applied allows the material to “flow”. To achieve this, allow for a reasonable “dwell time” for the press and anvil on the component and adjust the installation force to the ideal setting. If the installation force is too high, the panel and self-clinching fastener will be damaged. |
Note
All installation, pushout and torque-out force references are based on recommended installation specifications and procedures. Differences in mounting hole dimensions, sheet material and installation methods may alter this data. It is recommended that you test the performance of this product in its specific application. Samples are available for this purpose on request.