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Fin-Lok

Fin-Lok Insert illustration

Advantages

PSM Fin Lok® inserts are press-in inserts designed for use in thermoplastic materials. They deliver a durable, reusable threaded interface without requiring tapping operations. The combination of sharp fins and straight knurls allows easy insertion and strong retention in plastic substrates. Unlike many inserts, Fin-Lok offers a free-running thread, simplifying screw insertion and removal.

Key Features

  1. Press-in insertion, installed by squeeze press action without special tooling
  2. Sharp fins and straight knurls provide high pull-out strength while minimizing radial stress
  3. Self-alignment ensures the insert settles squarely during installation
  4. Free-running thread allows easy screw engagement without cutting or deformation
  5. Available in flanged and stud versions for different mounting needs

Selection of Inserts

Diagram showing Fin-Lok Insert measurements
Diagram showing Fin-Lok Headed Insert measurements
Diagram showing Fin-Lok Stud measurements
Diagram showing Fin-Lok Headed Stud measurements

ISO Metric

PRODUCT
CODE
THREAD
SIZE
INSERT
LENGTH
A
STUD LENGTHS
(FOR FLTS & FLHS ONLY)
S
HEAD
HEIGHT
B
HEAD
ø
C
INSERT
ø
D
PILOT
END
ø
P
NO. OF
FINS
REC. HOLE
SIZE
-0.00 +0.10
MIN. WALL
THICKNESS
FL-B
FLH-B
FLTS-B
FLHS-B
M24.0568101214161820250.454.83.73.123.21.6
M2.54.8568101214161820250.585.54.53.934.02.0
M34.8568101214161820250.585.54.53.934.02.0
M3.56.4568101214161820250.746.45.34.744.82.4
M47.9568101214161820250.897.16.15.555.62.8
M59.5568101214161820251.077.97.06.356.43.2
M612.7568101214161820251.329.58.67.978.04.0
M812.7568101214161820251.3211.110.29.579.64.8

Other lengths possible on quotation.

Unified

PRODUCT
CODE
THREAD
SIZE
INSERT
LENGTH
A
STUD LENGTHS
(FOR FLTS & FLHS ONLY)
S
HEAD
HEIGHT
B
HEAD
ø
C
INSERT
ø
D
PILOT
END
ø
P
NO. OF
FINS
REC. HOLE
SIZE
-0.000
+0.004
MIN. WALL
THICKNESS
FL-B
FLH-B
FLTS-B
FLHS-B
2-56.1573/161/45/163/87/161/25/83/47/81.018.189.147.1232.126.063
4-40.1873/161/45/163/87/161/25/83/47/81.023.217.178.1543.157.079
6-32.2503/161/45/163/87/161/25/83/47/81.029.250.209.1854.189.094
8-32.3123/161/45/163/87/161/25/83/47/81.035.281.240.2185.220.110
10-24.3753/161/45/163/87/161/25/83/47/81.042.312.274.2485.252.126
10-32.3753/161/45/163/87/161/25/83/47/81.042.312.274.2485.252.128
1/4-20.5003/161/45/163/87/161/25/83/47/81.052.375.337.3107.315.157
1/4-28.5003/161/45/163/87/161/25/83/47/81.052.375.337.3107.315.157
5/16-18.5003/161/45/163/87/161/25/83/47/81.052.433.400.3757.378.189
5/16-24.5003/161/45/163/87/161/25/83/47/81.052.433.400.3757.378.189
STANDARD MATERIAL: BRASS (B)
Other materials and lengths possible on quotation.

Specifying an Insert & Stud

Boss Design Specification

Hole Preparation

Molded holes are recommended wherever possible. The taper on a molded hole should be 1° inclusive and the hole diameter recommended should apply at the point reached by the bottom of the insert. The top of the hole should not be chamfered or counterbored and care must be taken to avoid bell mouthing. Hole diameter tolerance: -0.00 +0.10mm.

Installation

The inserts must be installed using a steady squeeze action press. A hammer blow type installation will prevent plastic flow and may damage the boss.

Wall Thickness

A general guide to minimum wall thickness is given in the data table but this will vary depending upon the nature of the plastic. Where thinner walls are required these can often be accommodated, but consultation with the P.S.M Technology Centre or local sales office and pre-production testing is strongly advised.

Performance Data

The complexity of materials and variations in service conditions make it impossible to detail fastener performance for specific applications. The chart below gives a general guide and show the relative performance of the inserts in the range.

Graph showing Fin-Lok performance data

Enhance Your Assembly with Our Precision Fin-Lok Inserts


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Frequently Asked Questions About Fin-Lok Inserts

What are Fin-Lok Inserts and what are they used for?

Fin-Lok inserts (series FL, FLH, HLTS, HLHS) are press-in brass threaded inserts designed for installation into most thermoplastic materials. They are used to create strong, durable, reusable internal threads in plastic components — such as moulded housings, enclosures, and structural plastic parts — where a reliable threaded fixing point is required without welding, tapping, or heat equipment. Fin-Lok inserts are manufactured by PSM International and are part of the broader Inserts for Plastics range.
The FL series is the standard Fin-Lok insert — a cylindrical press-in brass insert with a free-running internal thread, installed flush into a plastic boss. The FLH series (Fin-Lok Headed) is a headed variant that includes a flange at the top of the insert body. The flange acts as a positive stop during installation, limits insertion depth, and provides a larger bearing face against the plastic surface — making FLH inserts useful where a flush-to-surface or counter-bored installation is required, or where additional pull-through resistance is needed.
HLTS and HLHS are stud variants within the Fin-Lok family. Rather than providing an internal threaded hole for a screw, these types feature an external threaded stud protruding from the insert body once installed. HLTS is the standard stud version, while HLHS is the headed stud version (with a flange). They are used where a permanently fixed, protruding threaded stud in a plastic component is required — for example, to mount panels, brackets, or components onto a plastic housing using a nut from the outside.
Fin-Lok inserts are designed for use in most thermoplastic materials. They are particularly effective in semi-crystalline thermoplastics such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide/nylon (PA), and acetal (POM), where the plastic can flow into the fin and knurl geometry during press installation. For notch-sensitive amorphous thermoplastics (such as ABS or polycarbonate), Heat-Lok inserts — which use heat for installation and generate lower stress on surrounding material — may be a more suitable choice. PSM International can advise on the best insert type for specific plastic grades.
Both Fin-Lok (FL) and Press-Lok (PLK) are press-in brass inserts for thermoplastics, but they differ in their thread and retention mechanism. Press-Lok inserts use an expansion action: the screw must be driven from the knurled end to expand the insert body, generating the retention force. This means the screw installation itself creates the holding force, and the screw must fully penetrate the insert to achieve full expansion. Fin-Lok inserts, by contrast, rely entirely on their external fins and knurls for retention during the press installation step, and feature a free-running internal thread — meaning the screw can be driven without generating additional expansion force on the plastic boss, making Fin-Lok preferable where boss stress is a concern.

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