What Is a Clip Nut?
A clip nut is a type of nut that features a nut welded to a plate-shaped clip or a clip-shaped component with a threaded hole.
Clip nuts come in various sizes and lengths to accommodate different applications. The size of the clip part that attaches is determined by the range of board materials it can secure, and the appropriate size should be selected accordingly. While clip nut and nut parts are typically constructed from metal, some products are made of resin, particularly those used in the automotive industry.
Uses of Clip Nuts
Clip nuts are primarily utilized to secure plate-shaped parts and components. In the automotive context, clip nuts are employed to fasten plastic bumper covers at the front and rear of vehicles, as well as plastic undercovers beneath the vehicle’s floor. Many car models use them for attaching license plates to bumper covers. Within the interior of automobiles, clip nuts may be used to affix plastic interior parts in tight spaces. They are also frequently employed to secure exterior parts of motorcycles. In construction, clip nuts find application in securing soundproof walls (sound-absorbing walls) along highways and elevated walls.
Principles of Clip Nuts
Clip nuts are primarily composed of a clip part that grips onto a material or component and a nut part that secures a screw or bolt. By temporarily fastening the clip nut onto a material, it can be pre-attached when there is limited space for fastening a nut or when it needs to be used in multiple locations. This reduces the labor hours required for tightening. Some products feature positioning protrusions on the clamping part. The clip part typically has a U- or J-shaped cross-section, and the appropriate size is selected based on the width of the clip part and the thickness of the plate to be clamped. Most clips are constructed from metal, such as iron (steel) or iron treated with chromate plating to prevent rust. In addition to iron, stainless steel clip nuts are available, albeit at a somewhat higher cost than their iron counterparts.
Clip nuts are available in two main types: those designed for metric screws and those for tapping screws (threads). Clip nuts compatible with metric screws are chosen based on factors such as screw (bolt) thickness, e.g., M3 and M4, and the thickness of the plate material to be clamped. Selection depends on hole diameter, part weight, and required tightening torque. As the clip part size increases with the applicable screw size, it is essential to assess the installation space for the screw. Likewise, select the appropriate size based on the thickness and length of the clip nut screw matching the tapping screw and the thickness of the board material.