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Anchor Rivet Bush

PSM ANCHOR RIVET BUSH (ARB) is a captive threaded bush designed to suit a wide range of sheet thicknesses. Its serrated shank when riveted, achieves high torque and push out resistance. A stand-off version (ARBSO) allows the body length to be specified, thus providing a captive threaded spacer.

Advantages

Ideal for both thinner and harder sheet metals
Ideal for light alloys, aluminium, magnesium, etc.
Can be installed by hand or automatic methods
Suitable for use in punched or drilled holes
Can be used for sheet thickness up to 6mm
Can be used join two sheets together

Anchor Rivet Bush Key Features

Serrated shank that, when riveted over, cuts into the sheet metal and locks the bush firmly in place.
High torque-resistance and strong push-out performance, thanks to the mechanical interlock between the shank and the sheet.
Suitable for various sheet thicknesses, including relatively thin or harder sheets (up to 6 mm).
Can be installed via hand tools or automated pressing equipment, making it suitable for both small-scale and mass production.
Compatible with punched, drilled, or laser-prepared holes.
ARBSO (standoff) versions allow design of a captive spacer— useful when parts need clearance or separation.

Anchor Rivet Bush Design Guide

Hole Size in Sheet

Holes may be punched or drilled and a tolerance of -0.00 +0.1mm should be maintained.

Installation

To reduce the projection on the reverse side of the sheet it is essential that the correct design of riveting punch is always used (see Assembly Punch data). For consistent results a press is recommended, however small quantities may be installed using hand tools.

Stand-Off Types

Where minimum projection is not essential there are performance advantages in specifying the next larger shank code.

Direction of Load

Although the mating component can be fastened to either side of the bush, maximum performance will be achieved when fastening to the riveted shank side.

Anchor Rivet Bush Technical Data

Dimensions

ARBSO - Lengths Available ('L')

How to Specify

How to Assemble

Anchor® Rivet Bushes can be installed using both an “impact” and a “squeeze” action, allowing both hand and machine installation. Sheet hardness is not critical as the Bush deforms rather than the sheet, during installation.

Methods

Punch a hole in the metal sheet to the size recommended in our technical data table. De-burring of the hole is not recommended.
Insert the serrated shank through the hole in the sheet.
Using the profiled punch detailed below, rivet the shank, spreading and flattening it onto the face of the sheet.

Punch Detail

Performance & Applications

The ARB delivers excellent torque and push-out resistance. For example, when installed in suitable sheet materials, its serrated shank achieves strong mechanical grip even in harder or thinner metals. Typical use cases include:

Sheet metal enclosures and panels in electronics, telecom, or automotive bodies
Lightweight assemblies where inserting a nut or welding is undesired
Components requiring serviceable, captive threads in panels
Applications needing a flush or low-profile appearance while retaining structural strength

Performance Data

Tests conducted using a Steel Rivet Bush – 008 shank code into 1.5mm sheet. For unified values see equivalent metric size.

Enhance Your Assembly with Our Precision Anchor Rivet Bushes

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Frequently Asked Questions About Anchor Rivet Bush

What is an Anchor Rivet Bush?

An Anchor Rivet Bush (ARB) is a permanent, captive threaded fastener designed for installation into sheet metal panels — including harder and thinner sheet profiles where standard self-clinching nuts are unsuitable. It is inserted into a pre-punched or drilled hole and secured by riveting or pressing, creating a strong internal thread on the blind side of the sheet without requiring access to the back of the panel. PSM’s ARB series is available in mild steel (S) and provides a flush, load-bearing threaded connection for assembling components to sheet metal structures.

What is the difference between ARB and ARBSO?

Both are Anchor Rivet Bush variants from PSM, but they differ in their head geometry and application. The standard ARB has a conventional head profile suited to general sheet metal assembly. The ARBSO is a stand-off variant — its body incorporates a built-in spacer or offset, allowing a set distance to be maintained between the sheet panel and the attached component without additional hardware. Use the ARBSO when you need to space a component away from the panel surface in a single installed fastener.

What sheet materials and thicknesses are compatible with the ARB?

The Anchor Rivet Bush is specifically designed for harder and thinner sheet profiles where the parent material is too hard or too thin for self-clinching fasteners to develop adequate retention. Compatible materials include harder grades of mild steel sheet, harder aluminium alloys, and other sheet materials where conventional self-clinching is not reliable. The exact compatible sheet thickness range depends on the specific ARB part number — PSM’s product datasheets list the minimum and maximum sheet thickness (t) for every size. Always verify the sheet material hardness and thickness against the published specifications before selecting an ARB.

What are the advantages of Anchor Rivet Bushes over self-clinching nuts?

The key advantage is compatibility with material types and thicknesses that self-clinching nuts cannot handle. Self-clinching nuts require the host sheet to be softer than the nut body and thick enough to flow into the clinch groove — this rules them out for hardened or very thin sheet. The ARB works on a riveting principle rather than cold-forming, which means it can create a reliable permanent thread in materials where self-clinching would fail. Additional advantages include a flush installed profile, no need for blind-side access, and strong resistance to push-out and torque-out under load.

What thread sizes are available in the ARB series?

PSM’s ARB and ARBSO series are available in a range of metric thread sizes to cover common sheet metal assembly requirements. Typical available thread sizes include M3, M4, M5, M6, and M8. Each thread size is offered in specific body diameters and installation hole sizes. For the full current range of part numbers, thread sizes, grip ranges, and stock availability, use the PSM product search at psmfasteners.com or contact PSM directly on +61 2 9026 8383.