Rivet Nut Material Selection Guide

Selecting the correct material and surface finish for your rivet nut is essential to achieving the required performance, longevity, and compliance with the demands of your operating environment. Sherex® by PEM® rivet nuts are available in a range of base materials and plating options. This guide provides an overview of the key options and their typical applications.

Base Material Options

Carbon steel – the most widely used rivet nut material, providing a good combination of strength, machinability, and cost-effectiveness for general industrial applications. Available with a range of plating options for corrosion protection.
Stainless steel (A2/304) – suitable for applications requiring good corrosion resistance in mildly corrosive environments, food-contact assemblies, or where aesthetic finish is important.
Stainless steel (A4/316) – recommended for marine, chemical, and highly corrosive environments where A2 stainless may be insufficient.
Aluminium – used where weight reduction is a priority and moderate thread strength is acceptable. Common in aerospace, automotive, and consumer electronics applications.

Plating and Surface Finish Options

Zinc plating (electro-zinc) – standard corrosion protection for carbon steel rivet nuts in general indoor and sheltered outdoor environments.
Zinc-nickel plating – enhanced corrosion resistance for automotive and outdoor applications, often meeting OEM cataplating requirements.
Mechanical zinc plating – uniform coating for high-strength parts where hydrogen embrittlement from electro-plating is a concern.
Plain / self-colour – uncoated carbon steel for applications where post-installation painting or coating will be applied.
Passivated – standard surface treatment for stainless steel rivet nuts to maintain corrosion resistance.

Galvanic Compatibility

When selecting rivet nut material, consider the base material of the host sheet. Dissimilar metals in contact in the presence of moisture can create galvanic couples that accelerate corrosion. For example, installing a steel rivet nut in aluminium sheet in a wet environment creates a galvanic couple. In such cases, a stainless steel or aluminium rivet nut — or an appropriate surface coating — should be specified. Contact the Sherex by PEM technical team for galvanic compatibility guidance.

➤ Contact the Sherex by PEM technical team for material and plating selection support.

Rivet Nut Material Selection Guide | Sherex by PEM