Plas-Studs
PSM Plas-Studs are spring steel fasteners designed for embedding into plastic or panel assemblies to provide captive threaded studs. They combine the resilience of spring steel with compatibility for thinner panels, enabling solid attachment points where standard inserts or nuts might be impractical. They are especially useful in panels or housings where a protruding threaded boss is needed without heavy hardware.
PL1 Series
For use in panels of 1.0mm minimum thickness
PL2 Series
For heavier loads and use in panels of 1.5mm minimum thickness
Material
Mild steel – zinc & clear passivated to BS 3382
N.B.
Dog point studs are also available on certain sizes – details available upon request.
When specifying, please state:
- Quantity
- Prefix (PL1 or PL2)
- Part No.
- Finish code (e.g. 5000 PL1-M5-16)
Plas-Studs Features & Benefits
- Provides a captive stud rather than relying on a nut—improving ease of assembly.
- Designed for relatively thin panel thicknesses (1.0 mm / 1.5 mm), making them ideal for lightweight or compact assemblies.
- The spring steel construction gives elastic retention and resistance to loosening under vibration or movement.
- The pre-applied finish protects against corrosion and ensures consistent contact.
Design & Technical Specifications
Panel Thickness & Series Selection
- >Use PL1 studs in panels that are at least 1.0 mm thick.
- Use PL2 when panels are 1.5 mm or thicker—especially when higher loading or durability is needed.
Dimensional Data & Tolerances
- The manufacturer provides full dimensional tables: stud length, thread size, shank diameter, and tip geometry.
- When ordering, you must specify the quantity, prefix (PL1 or PL2), part number, and finish code.
- A typical part code example is “5000 PL1-M5-16”, where M5 is the thread and 16 is length in mm.
Plas-Studs Dimensional Data & Sizes
Installation & Best Practices
- Insert the Plas-Stud into a preformed or molded hole aligned with the panel surface.
- Use a pressing operation to seat the stud until flush or slightly below the plastic surface, ensuring the stud is straight.
- The dog point tip (if used) helps guide the stud into alignment with mating parts.
- Avoid applying torque on the stud during insertion; the securing force should come from press fitting, not twisting.
Recommended Installation Torque
Enhance Your Assembly with Our Plas-Studs
Start browsing our products or request a quote today to find the ideal fastening solution for your application.
Frequently Asked Questions About Plas-Studs
What are Plas-Studs and what are they used for?
Plas-Studs (PL series) are spring steel fasteners designed to be pressed into plastic or thin panel assemblies to create a captive, protruding threaded stud — giving the assembly a fixed attachment point for a mating nut, clip, or component without the need for a through-bolt, separate stud, or heavy hardware. Unlike loose studs that must be held in position during assembly, a Plas-Stud is permanently retained in the panel by its spring steel body, which grips the panel material on installation. This makes Plas-Studs particularly useful in lightweight housings, plastic enclosures, and thin-panel assemblies where a reliable threaded boss or attachment boss is needed but conventional hardware would be too heavy, too bulky, or impractical to install.
What is the difference between PL1 and PL2 Plas-Studs?
The PL1 and PL2 series are both Plas-Stud variants but are designed for different panel thicknesses and load requirements:
- PL1 is designed for thinner panels with a minimum thickness of 1.0 mm. It is suited to lightweight assemblies where panel material is at the lower end of the thickness range.
- PL2 is designed for thicker or heavier-duty applications, requiring a minimum panel thickness of 1.5 mm. The PL2 is the choice when higher pull-out loads, greater torque resistance, or more demanding mechanical conditions are expected.
Select PL1 for thin, lightweight panel assemblies; select PL2 when the panel is 1.5 mm or thicker and the application demands higher load performance. When in doubt, always use the series that matches or exceeds your panel thickness — never install a PL2 stud in a panel thinner than 1.5 mm.
What materials and finishes are Plas-Studs available in?
PSM’s Plas-Studs are manufactured from mild steel with a zinc and clear passivate finish applied to BS 3382. The zinc passivate finish provides corrosion protection suitable for normal indoor environments and standard industrial applications. The mild steel body provides the spring elasticity needed to grip the panel on installation while the protruding stud itself delivers the hardness and thread integrity required for repeated nut assembly cycles. For applications requiring enhanced corrosion resistance beyond the standard zinc passivate finish — such as outdoor, marine, or high-humidity environments — contact PSM’s technical team to discuss alternative finish options or material specifications.
What is a dog point stud and is it available on Plas-Studs?
What thread sizes and stud lengths are available for Plas-Studs?
PSM’s PL1 and PL2 Plas-Studs are available in a range of metric thread sizes and stud lengths to suit common panel assembly requirements. The thread size and stud length (the dimension projecting above the panel surface for nut engagement) are encoded in the part number — for example, PL1-M5-16 indicates a PL1 series stud with an M5 thread and a 16 mm stud length. The dimensional data table on this page lists the full range of available configurations.
For a complete current list of available part numbers, thread sizes, stud lengths, and stock availability, use the PSM product search at psmfasteners.com or call PSM on +61 2 9026 8383 (Monday–Friday, 7:30am–4:30pm AEST).