Anchor nuts (aka nutplates or anchor plates) are terms used interchangeably and relate to stamped sheet metal fasteners with an internally threaded tube and a plate with two clearance holes for rivets. Initially designed and still extensively used in aerospace applications, they are today also used in automotive, motorsports, and other industries in blind mounted panel applications where hex nuts cannot be used or an attached nut is required for ease of maintenance. They can be Fixed or Floating, the latter being easier to install due to their built-in nut (threaded hole) able to "float" slightly thus providing a convenient connection point for threaded rods, such as bolts, from the backside. In the case of Fixed anchor nuts, the built-in nut is static (i.e. without the capability to “float”) and the threaded bolt must be positioned perfectly over the hole. Self-locking anchor nuts are those with a built-in locking mechanism preventing them from loosening over time from vibrations.
Anchor nuts are offered in Imperial (in.) and Metric thread sizes, in different materials (e.g. Carbon Steel, Steel alloys, CRES), finishes such as Cadmium or Cadmium Free Zinc Nickel platings (compliant to EU Regulations) with or without dry film lubrication. They come in various styles/configurations (e.g. with one or two lugs, full size or miniatures, countersunk, corner, right-angled bodies, etc.). They conform to different U.S., European and international standards such as the US Military MS and NASM, German DIN LN, French AFNOR NF, British BS, ISO and others.
Depending on the selected nutplate, aerospace anchor nuts are produced by different manufacurers, such as HOWMET AEROSPACE (formerly ARCONIC) or PAOLO ASTORI, and others, and offered as respective OEM parts or as parts of our own labelled (AVIATIONEU NEW ERA) product lines in the case of those used in industrial applications. Sold in pieces or packs of specified number of anchor nuts per pack indicated after the letters "PK" in the product SKU.
Anchor nuts manufactured i.a.w DIN LN 29681 standard are Metric self-locking floating one-lug anchor nuts. Depending on the manufactuer, they are made from Steel Alloys (25CrMo4,DIN 1.7214.4/1.7220.3, 25CD4, SAE 4135/ 4140, AISI 4135/4137) with Cadmium plating & MoS2 low friction coating. Suitable for use in temperatures up to 235°C. Their counterparts of DIN LN29668 Standard are made from Incoloy Alloy® A-286 (aka A286 Alloy Stainless Steel, an austenitic superalloy) and can be used for temperatures up to 425 °C. Both feature a tensile strength of 900 MPa. Offered in different Metric thread sizes from HOWMET AEROSPACE (separately listed), PAOLO ASTORI and others as OEM parts. Depending on the part number they are sold mostly in pieces but also in packs where the number of anchor nuts per pack is indicated after the letters "PK" in the product SKU.
For additional information please refer to the supplied documentation or contact us.