Views: 1000 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-04-10 Origin: Site
A floating nut, also known as a cage nut or captive nut, is a specialized fastener designed for secure and adjustable connections in thin materials such as sheet metal or aluminum panels. It consists of two primary components: an outer shell (or cage) with serrated teeth and an embedded nut that "floats" within the shell to compensate for misalignments during installation. This unique design allows horizontal adjustment (typically ±0.3–0.6 mm) while maintaining a stable mechanical lock, making it ideal for applications requiring precision and vibration resistance.
Outer Shell: A circular or square metal casing with serrated teeth and guide grooves. The serrated teeth grip the edges of a pre-punched hole in the mounting surface, ensuring a secure fit.
Embedded Nut: A standard hexagonal or square nut (e.g., M3–M6 or #4–#10 threads) housed loosely within the shell, enabling limited lateral movement.
Key Design: The shell and nut are non-rigidly connected, allowing the nut to self-align with bolt holes during installation.
Core Materials:
Carbon Steel (AS/LAS): Cost-effective and zinc-plated for general industrial use.
AS:
LAS:
Stainless Steel (AC/LAC): Corrosion-resistant for harsh environments (e.g., marine or chemical industries).
AC:
LAC:
Coatings: Zinc plating (anti-corrosion), nickel plating (wear resistance), or Dacromet coating (high-temperature resistance).
Installation: The shell is pressed into a pre-punched hole in the sheet material. The serrated teeth deform the surrounding metal, embedding into the guide grooves to create a mechanical lock.
Floating Adjustment: The embedded nut shifts within the shell to align with the bolt hole, compensating for positional errors.
Locking: When tightened, the nut interacts with the shell’s structure (e.g., square edges or self-locking threads) to prevent rotation and ensure stability.
Floating nuts are categorized into self-locking (e.g., LAS, LAC) and non-locking (e.g., AS, AC) types, differing in anti-loosening mechanisms and applications:
| Feature | Self-Locking Floating Nut | Non-Locking Floating Nut |
|---|---|---|
| Thread Design | Deformed threads or nylon inserts for friction-based locking | Standard threads without anti-loosening features |
| Visual Identifier | Labeled with "L" (e.g., LAS, LAC) | Labeled as AS, AC |
| Applications | High-vibration environments (automotive, aerospace) | Static/low-vibration scenarios (furniture, cabinets) |
Appearance Differences:
Self-Locking: May include a nylon ring at the thread end (LAS) or deformed thread tips (LAC), though overall shape resembles non-locking types.
Non-Locking: Simple hexagonal/square nut design without additional components.
Prepare the Hole: Punch a hole (slightly smaller than the shell’s serrated teeth) in the sheet material.
Press the Shell: Use hydraulic tools to embed the shell into the hole until the teeth fully grip the material.
Align and Tighten: The floating nut adjusts to align with the bolt hole. Tightening the bolt locks the connection.
Floating nuts are widely used in industries requiring precision and adaptability:
Automotive: Securing interior panels and dashboards to withstand vibrations.
Electronics: Mounting server racks and switchboards for modular assembly.
Aerospace: Assembling lightweight panels with thermal expansion tolerance.
Industrial Machinery: Vibration-resistant connections in high-load equipment.
Thin-Material Compatibility: Works with sheets as thin as 0.76 mm (0.03 inches).
Load Capacity: Self-locking types handle dynamic loads, while non-locking types suit static loads.
Cost: Self-locking variants are more expensive due to complex manufacturing.
A floating nut combines flexibility and reliability, addressing alignment challenges in thin-material fastening. Its self-locking and non-locking variants cater to diverse industrial needs, from automotive to aerospace. When selecting a floating nut, prioritize material compatibility, environmental conditions, and load requirements to ensure optimal performance.
