Panel Fasteners

Panel fasteners, or panel clips as they are also known, are devices that are used to attach and secure panels, covers, or other components in various applications. They can be made of metal, plastic, or rubber, and have different shapes and sizes depending on the type and thickness of the panel. Panel fasteners are widely used in industries such as automotive, aerospace, electronics, and machinery, where they provide a quick and easy way to assemble and disassemble panels without damaging them.

Plastic panel fasteners are made of plastic materials, such as nylon, acetal, or polycarbonate, that offer advantages such as light weight, corrosion resistance, non-conductivity, and easy installation and removal. Plastic panel fasteners include various types of rivets, clips, buttons, and nuts that can be inserted into holes or slots in panels, and create a strong and secure joint without damaging the material.

Some common panel fasteners are:

Fir Tree Clips:

These are plastic fasteners that have a conical shape with barbs or ribs along the shaft, resembling a fir tree. They are also known as Christmas tree fasteners or Xmas tree clips. They are used to mount fans, seat pads, or other fabric items to panels, and can be applied to various materials, such as wood, foam, rubber, metals, and plastics. Fir tree clips snap into holes or slots in panels, and offer a tight and vibration-resistant fit.

Plastic Rivets:

These are fasteners that have a smooth cylindrical shaft with a head at one end, and are used to join two or more panels or objects together. Plastic rivets can be either permanent or removable, depending on the type of head and the installation method. Plastic rivets can be push-in, screw-in, expansion, button, ratchet, snap, or clinch type, and can be applied to round, square, rectangular, or hexagonal holes in panels. Plastic rivets provide a neat appearance and a durable bond without requiring any tools or drilling.

Canoe Clips:

Canoe clips are plastic fasteners that have a W-shaped head that fits into a rectangular slot in a panel. They are also known as W buttons or W clips. They are used to secure sheet materials to secondary panels or to hold components to panels. They are easy to install and remove, and provide a tight and vibration-resistant fit. Canoe clips are commonly used in motor vehicles, domestic appliances, furniture, aerospace, and caravans.

Cage Nuts:

Cage nuts are a type of fastener that consists of a square nut inside a spring steel cage. The cage has two wings that can be compressed to fit into a hole in a panel or a rack. When the wings are released, they expand and hold the nut in place behind the hole. Cage nuts are used to attach and secure components to panels or racks without welding or drilling. They are commonly used in applications such as automotive, electrical, furniture, and aerospace. Cage nuts come in different sizes, materials, and finishes to suit various needs and preferences.

What Are Rivets Commonly Used For?

Plastic rivets are fasteners made of plastic materials, such as nylon, acetal, or polycarbonate, that offer advantages such as light weight, corrosion resistance, non-conductivity, and easy installation and removal. Plastic rivets are commonly used for:

• Attaching body panels, bumpers, fenders, hoods, doors, and other parts of vehicles in the automotive industry.
• Connecting wires, terminals, switches, and other electrical parts in electrical appliances .
• Fastening handles, hinges, knobs, and other components of furniture, appliances, utensils, and tools in household objects.
• Joining solar panels, antennas, sensors, and other components of satellites and spacecraft in the aerospace industry .

Why use Plastic Snap Rivets? 

• Economical and very fast to install 
• The legs are designed to lock the component in place for a secure and permanent fit. 
• Neat, smooth appearance 
• The standard nylon rivets are flame resistant to UL94-V2. 

Plastic rivets provide a neat appearance and a durable bond without requiring any tools or drilling . They can be applied to various materials and shapes, and can be customized to suit different needs and preferences.

We also offer Stainless Steel Fasteners for heavy duty panel fixings, Plastic & Nylon Fasteners for lightweight, cheaper applications and Furniture Fixings for assembling furniture, and fixing furniture to walls.

Can't find the type or style of Fixing or Fastener that you require? Give us a call on 01233 713581.