Italy’s Special insert srl produces a selection of specialized fasteners specified by architects and builders to hold panels in place on building exteriors, interior walls, and ceilings. One of these, the Deform-Nut, is a mechanical fastener that has a collapsible chamber.

While similar in concept to a simple rivet, the Deform-Nut creates a male or female threaded attachment point allowing for a multitude of specialized applications. The Deform-Nut is available in closed and open back, a variety of metric and imperial threads, male or female types, aluminum, stainless steel or titanium and a variety of specialized models for specific applications.

What is the Deform-Nut TC/DM?

The patented Deform-Nut TC/DM, sold by Chemical Concepts in the U.S., is specifically designed for sandwich structured composites, which may have a surface layer of one material and an underlying panel of another material – for instance wood, with a fiberglass supporting panel. The specialized Deform-Nut TC/DM and a secondary screw combines mechanical anchoring and structural adhesive to provide strong load-bearing threads on hollow core materials that are otherwise very difficult to fasten with traditional fastening methods.

Unlike other methods, the Deform-nut is unique in that it is fixed mechanically to the skin of the panel, while also anchoring into the core structural element of the panel. Using this system, the anchor point is secured to the face of the panel, bonded to the back of the opposing side of the panel, and secured to the core. When properly installed, these anchors can reach pull-out forces of around 500 lbs. per anchor in tensile strength, and around 377 lbs. in shear strength depending on the specs of the panel used. The Deform-Nut TC/DM can be used in many composite material panels, including those made from resins, carbon fiber, aluminum, fiberglass, wood, foam, honeycomb, plastics, stainless steel and more.

Where are Deform-Nut TC/DM Used and Why?

The Deform-Nut TC/DM system is used in any application where a secure or removable connection is required on a sandwich composite panel. These types of composites are most commonly found in building facades, elevator interiors, aircrafts, buses, trains, boats, signage, and any application where the combination of high strength and light-weight is a desired characteristic.

One of the most popular applications in recent years is the use of honeycomb stone panels for building facades. In these applications, thinly cut stone is laminated using a structural adhesive to a light-weight honeycomb composite panel. The result appears to be thick dimensional stone but at a fraction of the weight, making them much easier to handle and install. The TC/DM is the perfect fixing system for these types of panels. 

Republished with permission from Monarch Metal’s blog. Monarch Metal produces a compatible fixture for mounting architectural panels.