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PFH Self-Clinching Stud

PFH Self-Clinching Stud

The PSM PFHS/PFH SELF-CLINCHING STUD is a threaded fastener which incorporates a knurled platform under the head, which when embedded in the sheet, displaces material into the clinch ring securing the fastener firmly in place.

Advantages

PFH Self-Clinching Stud Design Guide

Hole Preparation

It is recommended that the holes are formed using a punch operation, although drilled holes may be used. Holes should not be countersunk or de-burred.

Hole Size

Holes must be held to a tolerance of -0.00mm + 0.08mm (-.000” +.003”).

Minimum Sheet Thickness

See product data sheets and method of assembly.

Maximum Sheet Hardness

Rb80 for Steel Studs (P-FH)
Rb70 for Stainless Steel Studs (P-FHS)

Installation

Apply squeezing pressure sufficient only to embed the head of the stud flush with surface of the sheet. Avoid excessive pressures. Installation forces vary with sheet hardness and thickness. See PERFORMANCE DATA for recommended forces.

Tooling Note

Studs are installed using a flat top punch and flat bottom anvil with a clearance hole to accept the threaded section of the stud. Where the sheet material is thin, a special thin sheet bottom anvil is required which includes a countersink at the top to create space for clinch ring and displaced sheet material. See METHODS OF ASSEMBLY page for details.

Technical Data

Diagram showing PFH/PFHS Self Clinching Stud metric measurements

P-FH & P-FHS Types (Metric)

MATERIAL CODES
P-FH – Hardened Steel Zinc Plated
P-FHS – Stainless Steel

STANDARD PLATING FINISH
Zinc & Clear Trivalent Passivation (Z)

General Dimensions

Thread
Size / Code
Min
Sheet
Thickness
Hole Size in Sheet
-0.08 -0.00
Max Hole in
Mating Component
S
Max
Head Diameter
E
+/- 0.4
Minimum Distance
Centre Line Hole to
Sheet Edge
M2.51.02.53.11.954.15.4
M31.03.03.62.104.65.6
M3.51.03.54.12.255.36.4
M41.04.04.62.405.97.2
M51.05.05.62.706.57.2
M61.56.06.63.008.27.9
M82.48.08.63.709.69.6

All dimensions in millimeters.

Thread & Length Data

Thread
Size / Code
TypeLength Code "L" +/- .04 (Length Code in Millimetres)
SteelStainless
Steel
681012151820253035
M2.5P-FHP-FHS6810121518N/AN/AN/AN/A
M3P-FHP-FHS68101215182025N/AN/A
M3.5P-FHP-FHS6810121518202530N/A
M4P-FHP-FHS681012151820253035
M5P-FHP-FHSN/A81012151820253035
M6P-FHP-FHSN/AN/A1012151820253035
M8P-FHP-FHSN/AN/AN/A12151820253035

How to Specify PFHS/PFH Self-Clinching Stud

P-FH (Steel Standard Sizes)
PRODUCT CODE P-FH - M4 - 10 - Z
THREAD CODE P-FH - M4 - 10 - Z
LENGTH CODE P-FH - M4 - 10 - Z
PLATING CODE P-FH - M4 - 10 - Z
P-FHS (Stainless Steel Standard Sizes)
PRODUCT CODE P-FHS - M4 - 10
THREAD CODE P-FHS - M4 - 10
LENGTH CODE P-FHS - M4 - 10

Technical Data

Diagram showing PFH Self Clinching Stud unified measurements

P-FH & P-FHS Types  (Unified)

MATERIAL CODES
P-FH – Hardened Steel Zinc Plated
P-FHS – Stainless Steel

STANDARD PLATING FINISH
Zinc & Clear Trivalent Passivation (Z)

General Dimensions

Thread
Size / Code
Min
Sheet
Thickness
Hole Size in Sheet
+.003 -.000
Max. Hole in
Mating Component
S MaxHead Diameter
E
+/- 0.015
Minimum Distance
Centre Line Hole
to Sheet Edge
256.040.085.105.075.144.187
440.040.111.135.085.176.219
632.040.137.160.090.206.250
832.040.163.185.090.237.281
032 / 024.040.189.210.100.256.281
0420 / 0428.062.249.270.135.337.312
0518 / 0524.093.311.333.160.376.375

All dimensions in inches.

Thread & Length Data

Thread
Size / Code
Type Length Code "L" +/- .015 (Length Code in 16ths of an Inch)
SteelStainless
Steel
1/4.2505/16.3123/8.3751/2.5005/8.6253/4.7507/8.87511.001-1/41.251-1/21.50
256P-FHP-FHS45681012N/AN/AN/AN/A
440P-FHP-FHS456810121416N/AN/A
632P-FHP-FHS4568101214162024
832P-FHP-FHS4568101214162024
032 / 024P-FHP-FHSN/A568101214162024
0420 / 0428P-FHP-FHSN/AN/A68101214162024
0518 / 0524P-FHP-FHSN/AN/AN/A8101214162024

All dimensions in inches.

How to Specify

P-FH (Steel Standard Sizes)
PRODUCT CODE
P-FH - M4 - 10 - Z
THREAD CODE
P-FH - M4 - 10 - Z
LENGTH CODE
P-FH - M4 - 10 - Z
PLATING CODE
P-FH - M4 - 10 - Z
P-FHS (Stainless Steel Standard Sizes)
PRODUCT CODE
P-FHS - M4 - 10
THREAD CODE
P-FHS - M4 - 10
LENGTH CODE
P-FHS - M4 - 10

Methods of Assembly

P-FH / P-FHS SELF-CLINCHING STUDS are easy to install because no special tooling is necessary. However, it is very important to note that they must always be installed by a squeeze action press rather than a hammer blow. Punched holes are recommended.

  1. Punch a hole in the metal sheet to the size recommended in our technical data table. De-burring of the hole is not recommended.
  2. Insert the stud through the hole in sheet and into the appropriate anvil as detailed below.
  3. Apply squeezing pressure sufficient to install the head flush with top face of sheet.
THREAD
SIZE
METRIC
ANVIL
A
mm
C
mm
2.53.10 - 3.202.53 - 2.61
33.61 - 3.713.02 - 3.10
3.54.12 - 4.223.53 - 3.61
44.60 - 4.704.01 - 4.07
55.66 - 5.775.03 - 5.11
67.14 - 7.266.01 - 6.07
89.14 - 9.268.01 - 8.08
THREAD
SIZE
UNIFIED
ANVIL
A
inch
C
inch
256.110 - .114.087 - .090
440.136 - .140.113 - .116
632.162 - .166.139 - .142
832.188 - .192.165 - .168
032.216 - .220.191 - .194
420.295 - .300.250 - .253
518.334 - .338.313 - .316

Thin Sheet Anvil Use

M2.5 – M5 for sheet 1.0 – 1.49

M6 for sheet 1.5 – 2.4
M8 for sheet 2.0 – 2.4

256 – 032 for sheet .040″ – .060″

0420 for sheet .062″ – .092″
0518 for sheet .078″ – .092″

Performance Data

Metric

THREAD
CODE
STUD TYPE MAX NUT
TIGHTENING
TORQUE
(Nm)
TEST SHEET MATERIAL
COLD ROLLED STEELALUMINIUM
INSTALLATION
(kN)
PUSHOUT
(N)
TORQUE-OUT
(Nm)
INSTALLATION
(kN)
PUSHOUT
(N)
TORQUE-OUT
(Nm)
M2.5Steel0.41148001.2125001.0
Stainless Steel
M3Steel0.85179001.9146001.7
Stainless Steel
M3.5Steel1.152314002.8168502.0
Stainless Steel
M4Steel1.92618004.02010503.0
Stainless Steel
M5Steel3.83023007.02513004.0
Stainless Steel
M6Steel8.040280012.03017007.0
Stainless Steel
M8Steel14.050320022.035795012.0
Stainless Steel

Unified

THREAD
CODE
STUD TYPE MAX NUT
TIGHTENING
TORQUE
(in/lbs)
TEST SHEET MATERIAL
COLD ROLLED STEELALUMINIUM
INSTALLATION
(lbs)
PUSHOUT
(lbs)
TORQUE-OUT
(in/lbs)
INSTALLATION
(lbs)
PUSHOUT
(lbs)
TORQUE-OUT
(in/lbs)
256Steel2.528001607.020001006.0
Stainless Steel
440Steel5.0380024012.0300015012.0
Stainless Steel
632Steel9.0500031523.0360019018.0
Stainless Steel
832Steel18.0630040038.0480025022.0
Stainless Steel
032Steel32700050060.0550029035.0
Stainless Steel
0420Steel70.09000630105.0670038065.0
Stainless Steel
0518Steel130.011200720190.07800440105.0
Stainless Steel

Note: The above values are averages when correct installation is performed. Variations in hole size, material and installation will affect these results. For specific advice we strongly recommend consultation with your PSM Technology Centre.

P-HFH & P-HFHS Self-Clinching Stud

PFH Self-Clinching Stud

P-HFH / P-HFHS SELF-CLINCHING STUDS have been designed to achieve higher levels of performance than the P-FH range of fasteners for applications that do not demand a flush finish condition.

Advantages

Design Guide

Hole Preparation

It is recommended that the holes are formed using a punch operation, although drilled holes may be used.

Hole Size

Holes must be held to a tolerance of -0.00mm + 0.13mm (-.000″ +.005″).

Minimum Sheet Thickness

See product data sheets and method of assembly.

Maximum Sheet Hardness

Rb80 for Steel Studs (P-HFH)
Rb70 for Stainless Steel Studs (P-HFHS)

Installation

Using a squeeze action, apply sufficient force to fully embed the teeth into the host sheet metal, bringing the head in contact with the sheet. See PERFORMANCE DATA for recommended forces. The head of the stud is not designed to be installed flush.

Tooling Note

Studs are installed using a recessed top punch to control the insertion depth and a flat bottom anvil with a clearance hole to accept the threaded section of the stud.
Where the sheet material is thin, a special thin sheet bottom anvil is required which includes a countersink at the top to create space for the clinch ring and displaced sheet material. See METHODS OF ASSEMBLY page for details.

Technical Data

Diagram showing PHFH/HFHS measurements

P-HFH & P-HFHS Types (Metric)

MATERIAL CODES
P-HFH – Hardened Steel Zinc Plated
P-HFHS – Stainless Steel

STANDARD PLATING FINISH
Zinc & Clear Trivalent Passivation (Z)

Metric

THREAD
SIZE / CODE
MIN
SHEET
THICKNESS
REC
HOLE
SIZE
-0.00 +0.13
MAX
HOLE IN
MATING
COMPONENT
HEAD
DIAMETER
E
+/- 0.25
MAX HEAD
HEIGHT
T
MAX
UNTHREADED
LENGTH
S
MINIMUM
DISTANCE
CENTRE LINE
HOLE TO
SHEET EDGE
M50.95.06.57.81.142.710.7
M61.06.07.59.41.272.811.5
M81.58.09.512.51.783.512.7
M102.310.011.515.72.294.113.7

All dimensions in millimeters.

THREAD
SIZE / CODE
TYPE LENGTH CODE "L" +/- .015 (LENGTH CODE IN 16THS OF AN INCH)
STEELSTAINLESS
STEEL
1/4.2505/16.3123/8.3751/2.5005/8.6253/4.7507/8.87511.001.1/41.251.1/21.50
256P-FHP-FHS45681012N/AN/AN/AN/A
440P-FHP-FHS456810121416N/AN/A
632P-FHP-FHS4568101214162024
832P-FHP-FHS4568101214162024
032 / 024P-FHP-FHSN/A568101214162024
0420 / 0428P-FHP-FHSN/AN/A68101214162024
0518 / 0524P-FHP-FHSN/AN/AN/A8101214162024

Thread & Length

THREAD
SIZE / CODE
TYPE LENGTH CODE "L" +/- 0.4 (LENGTH CODE IN MILLIMETRES)
STEELSTAINLESS
STEEL
15202530354050
M5P-HFHP-HFHS15202530354050
M6P-HFHP-HFHS15202530354050
M8P-HFHP-HFHS15202530354050
M10P-HFHP-HFHS15202530354050

How to Specify

P-HFH (Steel Standard Sizes)
PRODUCT CODE
P-HFH - M6 - 20 - Z
THREAD CODE
P-HFH - M6 - 20 - Z
LENGTH CODE
P-HFH - M6 - 20 - Z
PLATING CODE
P-HFH - M6 - 20 - Z
P-HFHS (Stainless Steel Standard Sizes)
PRODUCT CODE
P-HFHS - M6 - 20
THREAD CODE
P-HFHS - M6 - 20
LENGTH CODE
P-HFHS - M6 - 20

Technical Data

Diagram showing PHFH/HFHS measurements

P-HFH & P-HFHS Types  (Unified)

MATERIAL CODES
P-HFH – Hardened Steel Zinc Plated
P-HFHS – Stainless Steel

STANDARD PLATING FINISH
Zinc & Clear Trivalent Passivation (Z)

Unified

THREAD
SIZE / CODE
MIN SHEET
THICKNESS
REC HOLE
SIZE
-.000 +.005
MAX
HOLE IN
MATING
COMPONENT
T
HEAD
DIAMETER
E
+/- 0.010
MAX HEAD
HEIGHT
T
MAX
UNTHREADED
LENGTH
S
MINIMUM
DISTANCE
CENTRE LINE
HOLE TO
SHEET EDGE
032 / 0240.0500.1900.2500.3000.0400.1050.415
0420 / 04280.0600.2500.3120.3800.0500.1250.460
0518 / 05240.0750.3120.3750.4800.0700.1400.500
0616 / 06240.0900.3750.4370.5800.0850.1550.530

All dimensions in inches.

Thread & Length Data

THREAD
SIZE / CODE
TYPE LENGTH CODE "L" +/- .015 (LENGTH CODE IN 16ths OF AN INCH)
STEELSTAINLESS
STEEL
1/2 .500 3/4 .750 1 1.00 1.1/4 1.25 1.1/2 1.50 1.3/4 1.75 2 2.00
032 / 024P-HFHP-HFHS8121620242832
0420 / 0428P-HFHP-HFHS8121620242832
0518 / 0524P-HFHP-HFHS8121620242832
0616 / 0624P-HFHP-HFHSN/A121620242832

How to Specify

P-HFH (Steel Standard Sizes)
PRODUCT CODE
P-HFH - 0420 - 20 - Z
THREAD CODE
P-HFH - 0420 - 20 - Z
LENGTH CODE
P-HFH - 0420 - 20 - Z
PLATING CODE
P-HFH - 0420 - 20 - Z
P-HFHS (Stainless Steel Standard Sizes)
PRODUCT CODE
P-HFHS - 0420 - 20
THREAD CODE
P-HFHS - 0420 - 20
LENGTH CODE
P-HFHS - 0420 - 20

Metric

THREAD CODESTUD TYPE MAX NUT
TIGHTENING
TORQUE
(Nm)
TEST SHEET MATERIAL
COLD ROLLED STEELALUMINIUM
INSTALLATION
(kN)
PUSHOUT
(N)
TORQUE-OUT
(Nm)
INSTALLATION
(kN)
PUSHOUT
(N)
TORQUE-OUT
(Nm)
M5Steel4.525160091510006
Stainless Steel7
M6Steel103022001520150013
Stainless Steel1111
M8Steel224535003530200028
Stainless Steel2020
M10Steel375550005540300035
Stainless Steel35

Unified

THREAD CODESTUD TYPE MAX NUT
TIGHTENING
TORQUE
(ft/lbs)
TEST SHEET MATERIAL
COLD ROLLED STEELALUMINIUM
INSTALLATION
(lbs)
PUSHOUT
(lbs)
TORQUE-OUT
(ft/lbs)
INSTALLATION
(lbs)
PUSHOUT
(lbs)
TORQUE-OUT
(ft/lbs)
10Steel3.55500350633002004
Stainless Steel4
1/4Steel10700052011450032010
Stainless Steel88
5/16Steel171000070023700045022
Stainless Steel1616
3/8Steel261200090035830060025
Stainless Steel24

Note: The above values are averages when correct installation is performed. Variations in hole size, material and installation will affect these results. For specific advice we strongly recommend consultation with your PSM Technology Centre.

Methods of Assembly

P-HFH / P-HFHS SELF-CLINCHING STUDS are easy to install because only simple tooling is required. However, it is very important to note that they must always be installed by a squeeze action press rather than a hammer blow. Punched holes are recommended.

  1. Punch a hole in the metal sheet to the size recommended in our technical data table. De-burring of the hole is not recommended.
  2. Insert the stud through the hole in sheet and into the appropriate anvil as detailed below.
  3. Apply squeezing pressure sufficient to fully embed the teeth, bringing the head into contact with the sheet.
THREAD
SIZE
Metric
PUNCHANVIL
RECESS
WIDTH
D
mm
RECESS
WIDTH
F
mm
MIN DIE
LENGTH
BORE
DIAMETER
C
mm
THIN SHEET
C/SINK DIA
A
mm
SHEET
THICKNESS
mm
M58.2 - 8.40.99 - 1.04L5.1 - 5.155.8 - 5.90.90 - 1.29
M69.8 - 10.01.12 - 1.17L6.1 - 6.157.0 - 7.11.00 - 1.49
M812.9 - 13.11.63 - 1.68L8.1 - 8.159.0 - 9.11.50 - 1.99
M1016.1 - 16.32.10 - 2.12L10.1 - 10.15--
THREAD
SIZE
Unified
PUNCHANVIL
RECESS
WIDTH
D
inch
RECESS
WIDTH
F
inch
MIN DIE
LENGTH
BORE
DIAMETER
C
inch
THIN SHEET
C/SINK DIA
A
inch
SHEET
THICKNESS
inch
10.315 - .325.035 - .036L.191 - .194.216 - .220.036 - .049
1/4.395 - .405.045 - .046L.250 - .253.286 - .296.040 - .059
5/6.495 - .505.063 - .064L.313 - .316.350 - .354.060 - .074
3/8.595 - .605.077 - .078L.376 - .379--

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Frequently Asked Questions About PFH Self-Clinching Stud

What is a PFH Self-Clinching Stud?

The PSM PFH Self-Clinching Stud (P-FH/P-FHS/P-HFH) is an externally threaded fastener permanently pressed into ductile sheet metal to provide a fixed threaded post. Once installed, it allows a nut or other threaded component to be fastened from the opposite side of the panel, eliminating the need for welding, riveting, or accessing both sides during final assembly.
P-FH, P-FHS, and P-HFH are variants of PSM’s self-clinching stud family, differing primarily in head style, length options, and material/finish combinations. All three provide the same core function — a permanently clinched external thread in sheet metal — with the specific variant chosen based on head clearance, available panel thickness, and corrosion resistance requirements. PSM’s dimensional data tables list the exact specifications for each variant.
PSM PFH Self-Clinching Studs are available in hardened steel with a zinc-plated finish, and in stainless steel for applications requiring higher corrosion resistance. The zinc-plated hardened steel option suits general industrial and indoor applications, while stainless steel is recommended for outdoor, washdown, marine, or corrosive environments where rust resistance is critical.
PFH Self-Clinching Studs are designed for ductile sheet metals — primarily mild steel, cold-rolled steel, and stainless steel sheet — that are softer than the hardened stud itself, allowing the material to flow into the locking groove during installation. The host sheet must meet a minimum thickness requirement specific to the stud size; refer to PSM’s dimensional data tables for exact figures.
Self-clinching studs avoid the heat distortion, weld spatter, and surface damage associated with weld studs. They can be installed after surface coating or painting without affecting the finish, and require only a controlled press force rather than welding equipment. This makes self-clinching studs a faster, cleaner, and more consistent option for high-volume sheet metal production.

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