TCH & TCHS Thin-Sheet Self-Clinching Studs (Non-Flush)
Non-flush self-clinching studs for very thin sheet — TCH heat-treated carbon steel and TCHS 300-series stainless — for panels from 0.020 in. (0.5 mm), unified #4-40 to #10-32 and metric M3 to M5, with controlled mounting holes +.003/-.000 and a full installation/performance table by thread code.
Last updated: 2026-11
Specifications
TCH and TCHS are self-clinching studs for panels too thin for standard flush-head clinching hardware: they install in sheet as thin as 0.020 in. (0.5 mm) and, by design, the head sits slightly above the panel surface instead of flush. Pressed in with a squeezing force, the stud becomes a captivated, non-rotating external thread in the panel — no weld, no insert, and the mating nut can be run on without holding the stud. TCH is heat-treated carbon steel (zinc clear); TCHS is 300-series stainless steel (passivated per ASTM A967). Threads are external 2A per ANSI B1.1 (6g per ANSI/ASME B1.13M for metric), and the panels are cold-rolled steel or 5052-H34 aluminum: TCH installs into panels of Rockwell B-80 or less, TCHS into HRB 70 or less. A typical designation reads TCH 632-12: carbon-steel stud, #6-32, 12 (x 1/16 in. length code). One installation caution is printed on the collected sheet and worth repeating: do not over-squeeze.
| Series | TCH (heat-treated carbon steel, zinc clear) — panels HRB 80 or less; TCHS (300-series stainless, passivated per ASTM A967) — HRB 70 or less; panel materials cold-rolled steel or 5052-H34 aluminum |
|---|---|
| Threads | External 2A per ANSI B1.1 (6g per ANSI/ASME B1.13M metric): #4-40 (code 440), #6-32 (632), #8-32 (832), #10-24 (1024), #10-32 (1032); M3 x 0.5 (M3), M4 x 0.7 (M4), M5 x 0.8 (M5) |
| Minimum sheet thickness | 0.020 in. unified; 0.5 mm metric — the stud installs into sheet well below the standard flush-series minimums |
| Head style | Non-flush: the head projects above the panel surface when installed (this is the design intent, not a defect) |
| Mounting hole (by thread) | #4-40: .111, #6-32: .137, #8-32: .163, #10-24 and #10-32: .189 — each +.003/-.000 in.; metric M3/M4/M5: 3.0/4.0/5.0 mm +.08/-.00 |
| Length ladders | Inch .250–1.50 in. (codes -4 to -24 by thread; ±.015 in.); metric 6–38 mm (codes -6 to -38; ±.4 mm). A dagger on some codes marks the source catalog's own stocking, not this offer |
| Performance (sampled, .025 in. steel panel) | #4-40: 1500 lbs installation force, 100 lbs pushout, 8 in.-lbs torque-out (max nut-tightening 5 in.-lbs); #6-32: 2500 / 110 / 16 (9 in.-lbs); #8-32: 2700 / 120 / 26 (17 in.-lbs); #10-24 and #10-32: 3000 / 130 / 28 (24 and 27 in.-lbs max tightening) |
| Performance (sampled, .020 in. aluminum panel) | #4-40: 1200 / 45 / 7; #6-32: 1500 / 50 / 8; #8-32: 2200 / 60 / 11; #10-24 and #10-32: 2500 / 65 / 14 — installation force / pushout lbs / torque-out in.-lbs; values are the stainless-stud basis (steel may be higher) |
| Installation caution | Printed on the collected sheet: "Do not over squeeze!" — squeeze only until the head seats against the panel |
| MOQ / lead time | Not owner-confirmed for this family — confirmed at quotation |
Materials
- Heat-treated carbon steel, zinc clear (TCH)
- 300-series stainless steel, passivated per ASTM A967 (TCHS)
Ordering & documentation
Documents
Shipments are backed by Mill Test Certificate (MTC), Dimensional Report, Salt Spray Test Report on request, with full batch traceability from raw material to finished product. Quality management follows the owner-confirmed compliance list: ISO 9001:2015, RoHS, REACH. Exact document sets are confirmed on the order.
Quotation
- The fastener family (TCH & TCHS Thin-Sheet Self-Clinching Studs (Non-Flush)) plus the standard designation from your drawing — DIN / ISO / JIS / ASTM / ANSI, or a drawing for custom parts.
- Size (diameter and length), thread type (metric or inch), property class or grade, and coating or finish.
- Quantity per size and your target delivery date.
- Destination country, and any required documents (for example a mill test certificate) so the quote includes them.
Sample & supply
Minimum order quantities and lead times for this family are confirmed at quotation — send your sizes, grades and quantities on the RFQ and the quote will carry a firm schedule. Sample availability is confirmed with the quotation.
Storage & shipping
Parts are packed for export and shipped factory-direct to buyers in Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East. Store fasteners dry and protected until installation, and keep coated parts in their packaging until use; specific packing and preservation requirements can be stated on the order and confirmed at quotation.
Frequently asked questions
When do I need TCH/TCHS instead of a standard flush self-clinching stud?
When the panel is thinner than the flush-head series can grip. TCH/TCHS install into sheet as thin as 0.020 in. (0.5 mm), where a flush clinch head would not find enough material to cold-flow into. The trade-off is cosmetic and functional at once: the head sits slightly proud of the panel by design, and the collected sheet's pushout/torque-out figures at that thickness (for example 110 lbs pushout and 16 in.-lbs torque-out for a #6-32 in 0.025 in. steel) are strong for the gauge. If your panel is at standard thickness and the head must sit flush, quote the FH/FHS series instead.
What do the performance figures assume?
The collected table states its values are based on stainless-steel studs, with steel-stud values potentially higher, per thread code at two named sheet conditions: 0.020 in. aluminum (HRB 28) and 0.025 in. steel (HRB 52). For example a #10-32 shows 3000 lbs installation force, 130 lbs pushout and 28 in.-lbs torque-out in the steel condition. Your panel and thickness move these numbers — ask for the row matching your exact sheet at quotation.
What should an RFQ for these self-clinching standoffs state?
State the series (CFSO steel, CFSOS stainless, or CFSOA aluminum), thread size (for example #10-32 or M4 x 0.7), body size (small or large), nominal length L, sheet material, thickness and hardness, and quantity per size — plus destination country. Commercial terms are confirmed at quotation.
Request a Quote
Get factory-direct pricing from the manufacturer.
What to include in your inquiry
- ✓ Standard and property class (e.g. DIN 912, ISO 4762, class 8.8) — or a drawing for custom parts.
- ✓ Sizes, lengths and thread type (metric or inch).
- ✓ Quantity per size and your target delivery date.
- ✓ Destination country, plus any coating or finish requirement.
- ✓ Any documents you need with the shipment (e.g. mill test certificate) so the quote includes them.
- ✓ Your inquiry goes straight to the factory team by email and gets a reply within 24 hours.
- ✓ Factory-direct pricing
- ✓ Standard and custom specifications
- ✓ Factory-direct export to buyers in Europe, Asia, the Americas and the Middle East
- ✓ Full fastener family support