Self-Locking Minarb
PSM Self-Locking Minarb (MINLOK) is a miniaturised Anchor® threaded fastener for sheet metal with an inbuilt all-metal self-locking feature. It combines the simplicity and reliability of a standard MINARB® with thread locking offering a minimum of five re-uses.
Advantages
- Provides excellent resistance to screws working loose
- Eliminates the need for locking washers
- Eliminates the need for the application of locking adhesives
- Suitable for high temperature applications
Design Guide
Hole Size & Tolerances
Holes may be punched or drilled. Maintain a tolerance of –0.00 + 0.10 mm to ensure proper fit and performance.
Installation Process
Use the correct riveting punch geometry as recommended in the product data. For best consistency, use a press rather than hand tools, although small quantities can be installed manually. Ensure the fastener is aligned properly and avoid applying side loads during installation.
Material & Finish
Standard material is mild steel. The finish is typically zinc-plated with clear trivalent passivation, plus a special lubricant. The pre-applied torque-control lubricant should not be removed, as it affects locking performance.
Applications & Use Cases
Self-Locking Minarb is ideal for sheet metal assemblies subject to vibration or repeated maintenance. Its built-in locking feature ensures reliable performance without secondary hardware such as lock washers or adhesives. Typical applications include:
- Electrical enclosures and switch panels
- HVAC units and ducting systems
- Instrument housings and metal cabinets
- Light-gauge assemblies where vibration resistance is essential
Technical Data
STANDARD MATERIAL– Mild Steel (S)
STANDARD FINISH – Zinc & Clear Trivalent Passivation plus special lubricant.
NOTE:
This product carries a pre-applied torque control
lubricant which should not be removed.
Dimensions
| INTERNAL THREAD SIZES |
DIA. OF SHANK A mm |
DIA. OF BODY B mm |
DEPTH OF BODY C mm |
REC HOLE SIZE -0.00 +0.10 mm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unified | ISO Metric | ||||
| 4 | 3 | 4.2 | 5.5 | 2.8 | 4.3 |
| 6-8 | 4 | 5.4 | 7.0 | 3.2 | 5.5 |
| 10 | 5 | 6.4 | 8.5 | 3.8 | 6.5 |
| 1/4 | 6 | 7.6 | 10.0 | 5.1 | 7.7 |
| 5/16 | 8 | 9.7 | 12.0 | 6.5 | 9.8 |
| SHANK CODE | 001 | 003 | 004 | 006 | 008 | 010 | 012 | 013 | 014 | 016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHEET THICKNESS | 0.5 - 0.6 | 0.7 - 0.8 | 0.9 - 1.0 | 1.1 - 1.3 | 1.4 - 1.6 | 1.7 - 1.9 | 2.0 - 2.2 | 2.3 - 2.5 | 2.6 - 2.8 | 2.9 - 3.1 |
How to Specify
| MINLOK | |
|---|---|
| PRODUCT CODE | MINLOK-M4-008 |
| THREAD CODE | MINLOK-M4-008 |
| SHANK CODE | MINLOK-M4-008 |
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Frequently Asked Questions About Self-Locking Minarb
What is a Self-Locking Minarb (MINLOK)?
Fasteners for special materials are hardened, precision-engineered fastening elements designed for host materials that standard screws and inserts cannot reliably serve — such as magnesium alloys, brittle die-cast alloys, engineering plastics, and soft metal castings. PSM’s range includes Precision Hardened Inserts (PHI), Precision Hardened Studs (PHS), and Hardened Steel Screw-Serts (SCT), each engineered for specific material and application challenges.
How does the self-locking feature of the MINLOK work?
The PSM Precision Hardened Insert (PHI) is a hardened steel threaded insert designed for installation into soft or fragile host materials — including magnesium alloys, aluminium die-castings, and engineering plastics — where standard thread engagement would be insufficient or cause material damage. The PHI provides a strong, durable threaded fixing point that significantly outlasts the host material’s own thread.
What is the difference between MINLOK and MINARB?
The PSM Precision Hardened Stud (PHS) is a hardened externally-threaded stud engineered for installation into soft die-cast alloys, magnesium, and plastics. It provides a permanently fixed threaded post with significantly higher hardness and pull-out resistance than a standard screw in the same host material. PHS is used where a fixed stud anchor point is required in a soft or low-strength substrate.
When should I use a MINLOK instead of a standard self-locking nut or nyloc?
The PSM Hardened Steel Screw-Sert (SCT) is a dual-function fastener that both self-forms a thread in the host material and provides a hardened internal thread for a mating screw — combining the speed of a direct screw fixing with the thread strength of a hardened insert. It is designed for die-cast alloys and engineering plastics where high thread retention is needed without a separate insert installation step.
What industries and applications use the MINLOK?
The MINLOK is widely used in applications where vibration, shock, or thermal cycling would cause a standard threaded fastener to loosen over time:
- Automotive & motorsport — body panels, engine bay brackets, and electronic control unit mounts subject to engine vibration
- Electronics & telecommunications — compact equipment enclosures where vibration from fans, motors, or transport could back off plain screws
- Industrial machinery & equipment — control panels and guards on machinery with continuous vibration
- Defence & aerospace — lightweight sub-assemblies requiring vibration-proof fastening in thin panels
- Railway & heavy transport — interior fittings and panel assemblies exposed to constant vibration loads
- HVAC & building services equipment — panel-mounted components subject to motor and compressor vibration