T-slot nuts and fasteners for aluminium extrusion profiles

T-Nut for 10 mm Aluminium Profiles M4 M5 M6 M8 M10

OEM / ODM Available Free Sample Available RoHS, REACH, material certificate for stainless steel, vibration test report for anti-torsion

Full range of T-slot nuts from M4 to M10 for 15 to 60 series aluminium profiles. Pre-set, subsequent, square and anti-torsion types. Carbon steel or stainless. Master selection guide for nut, thread and series.

Wholesale Price Quoted per piece, price breaks at 100 / 500 / 1000 per per piece

Material	Carbon steel
Alloy Grade	Carbon steel C1035, spring steel 65Mn, stainless A2 / A4
Temper	custom
Section Size	n/a (piece part)
Slot	Fits 6 mm, 8 mm and 10 mm groove widths (15-60 series)
Length	n/a (piece part, sold per nut)
Tolerance	Thread 6H, body width +/-0.1 mm, body height +/-0.1 mm
Surface	Zinc plated / stainless steel A2 or A4
MOQ	No MOQ for stock sizes; 500 pieces for custom configurations
Lead Time	Stocked sizes ship in 2 to 3 days; custom and stainless about 2 weeks
Loading Port	Shanghai, Ningbo, Qingdao
Supply Ability	Full range stocked in carbon steel; stainless and custom types produced to order
Payment Terms	T/T 30 per cent deposit, balance against copy of B/L; L/C at sight for larger orders
Trade Terms	FOB, CIF, CFR, EXW
Certifications	RoHS, REACH, material certificate for stainless steel, vibration test report for anti-torsion

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01What is a T-nut for aluminium profiles?

What does a T-nut do in a T-slot profile?

A T-nut sits inside the T-slot groove with its body behind the slot lip and its threaded hole facing outward. A bolt passes through the bracket or fitting from outside and threads into the nut. The nut body bears against the back of the groove lip and resists the clamping force. It is the primary fastening method for all T-slot aluminium profile systems.

How many types of T-nut are there?

Four main types, distinguished by how they enter the groove and whether they prevent rotation: pre-set (placed before assembly, anti-drop tab), subsequent (slid in from end face after assembly), square (flat sides prevent rotation), and anti-torsion (twin wings grip groove walls for vibration resistance). Each type has a specific use case — see Section 06 for the selection logic.

What is the full thread range available?

M4, M5, M6, M8 and M10. The thread size is matched to the profile series: M4 for 15 series, M5 for 20 series, M6 for 30 series, M8 for 40 series, and M10 for 45 and 60 series. Reducer configurations (smaller thread in larger groove) are also available — see Section 04.

02The master selection chain: series to nut to bolt

The selection of a T-nut follows a chain: the profile series determines the groove width, the groove width determines the nut body width, the nut body determines the thread size, and the thread size determines the bolt. This chain must be followed in order — you cannot start with a bolt size and work backwards, because the groove width constrains everything downstream.

Series	Groove width	Slot mouth	Nut thread	Bolt	Weight per nut
15 series	5 mm	4 mm	M4	M4 x 6/8/10	0.9 g
20 series	6 mm	4.5 mm	M5	M5 x 8/10/12	1.5 g
30 series	8 mm	5.5 mm	M6	M6 x 10/12/16	3.2 g
40 series	10 mm	8 mm	M8	M8 x 12/16/20	6.8 g
45 series	10 mm	8 mm	M8	M8 x 12/16/20	7.5 g
60 series	10 mm	8 mm	M10	M10 x 16/20/25	18.0 g

The 45 and 60 series both use a 10 mm groove, so the same M8 nut body fits both. The difference is that the 60 series groove wall is thicker, allowing an M10 thread in the same body width. The 45 series uses M8 as standard; M10 is available as an option.

03Nut types and their characteristics

The four nut types differ in how they enter the groove and whether they resist rotation. The choice of type is independent of the thread size — each type is available in every thread from M4 to M10 (with the exception of anti-torsion, which is not made for M4 or 15 series).

Type	Entry method	Anti-drop	Anti-rotation	Typical use
Pre-set	from slot mouth, before assembly	yes (spring tab)	no (round body)	production frames
Subsequent	from end face, after assembly	no	no (round body)	retrofit, prototype
Square	from end face, after assembly	no	yes (flat sides)	precision mounting
Anti-torsion	from end face, after assembly	no	yes (twin wings)	vibration resistance

The pre-set and square types can be combined: a pre-set square nut has both a spring tab and flat sides. This is a custom configuration available on request for production jigs that need both anti-drop and anti-rotation.

04Reducer configurations: smaller thread in larger groove

Sometimes the fitting you need to mount has a smaller thread than the series default. For example, a sensor mount with an M5 thread on a 30 series profile (which normally takes M6). In this case, a reducer nut is used: the body fits the 30 series groove (8 mm) but the thread is M5 instead of M6.

Profile series	Groove	Default thread	Reducer thread	Use case
30 series	8 mm	M6	M5	M5 sensor mount on 30 series
40 series	10 mm	M8	M6	M6 fitting on 40 series
40 series	10 mm	M8	M5	M5 fitting on 40 series
45 series	10 mm	M8	M6	M6 fitting on 45 series
60 series	10 mm	M10	M8	M8 fitting on 60 series

Reducer nuts are available in all four types (pre-set, subsequent, square, anti-torsion). Specify both the series and the thread when ordering a reducer nut.

05Sliding resistance in the groove

The force required to slide a T-nut along the groove depends on the nut type, the groove finish and the nut body clearance. We measured the sliding force for each nut type in a clean, mill finish 40 series groove (10 mm) with an M8 thread, with no bolt installed.

Nut type	Sliding force (N)	Resistance note
Pre-set (with tab engaged)	2 to 5	tab adds friction
Subsequent (round body)	0.5 to 1.5	lowest friction, slides freely
Square (flat sides)	1.5 to 3.0	flat side contact adds drag
Anti-torsion (wings)	4 to 8	wing serrations drag on groove
Subsequent (hard-anodised groove)	3 to 6	anodising roughness increases drag

Sliding force is measured without a bolt installed. Once the bolt is tightened, the nut is locked in position by the clamping force and does not slide. The sliding force only matters during positioning, before the bolt is inserted.

06Selection logic: which nut type for which application

Choose pre-set nuts

Production runs where nut positions are known upfront
Frames with many fittings per profile (8+ per metre)
Automated or jig-guided assembly where speed matters
Frames where profile ends will be capped — no end access

Choose subsequent nuts

Prototypes where fitting positions may change
Retrofit or modification of existing frames
Low fitting count per profile (1 to 3)
Frames where profile ends are accessible for sliding

Within each entry method, the choice of body shape — round, square, or winged — depends on the precision and vibration requirements:

Round body (standard): lowest cost, lowest friction, sufficient for non-critical mounts. Positioning accuracy +/-1.0 mm.
Square body: flat sides prevent rotation, positioning accuracy +/-0.2 mm. For precision mounting: sensors, jigs, hinges.
Winged body (anti-torsion): twin wings with serrations grip the groove. For vibration environments: spindles, actuators, conveyors. 95 per cent torque retention under vibration.

07Pull-out force by thread size

The pull-out force is the axial load required to pull the nut out of the groove. It is determined by the nut body engagement with the groove lip (not by the thread size) and by the groove wall strength. Larger nuts have wider bodies and more engagement, so they have higher pull-out ratings.

Thread	Series	Body width	Engagement area	Pull-out force
M4	15 series	4.5 mm	15 sq mm	0.5 kN
M5	20 series	5.5 mm	25 sq mm	0.8 kN
M6	30 series	7.5 mm	45 sq mm	1.5 kN
M8	40 series	9.5 mm	70 sq mm	2.5 kN
M10	60 series	9.5 mm	80 sq mm	3.5 kN

Pull-out force is approximate and assumes a new, mill finish groove with no damage. In a worn or corroded groove, the pull-out may drop by 30 per cent. For structural joints that must not pull out, use the centre bore through-bolt instead of the T-slot.

08What to specify when ordering

Procurement checklist for T-nuts

Confirm the profile series (15, 20, 30, 40, 45 or 60) — this determines the groove width and the nut body size.
Confirm the thread size (M4, M5, M6, M8 or M10). If using a reducer, specify both the series and the smaller thread.
Confirm the nut type: pre-set (with tab), subsequent (slide from end), square (anti-rotation), or anti-torsion (vibration).
Confirm the material: carbon steel zinc plated, or stainless steel A2 / A4.
Confirm the quantity per type and size. Price breaks apply at 100, 500 and 1000 pieces per line item.
Whether you need matching bolts and at what lengths. Bolts are available in the same threads and materials.

09Terms used on this page

T-nut: A nut that sits inside a T-slot groove with its body behind the slot lip and a threaded hole facing outward. The primary fastening method for T-slot profiles.
Pre-set nut: A T-nut placed into the groove before the profiles are assembled, with an anti-drop spring tab.
Subsequent nut: A T-nut slid into the groove from the end face after the frame is assembled.
Square nut: A T-nut with a square body whose flat sides prevent rotation under torque.
Anti-torsion nut: A T-nut with twin wings that grip the groove walls to prevent rotation under vibration.
Reducer nut: A T-nut whose body fits one series groove but whose thread is smaller than the series default.

10Questions buyers ask

What thread sizes are available?

M4, M5, M6, M8 and M10. Each thread is matched to a profile series: M4 for 15 series, M5 for 20 series, M6 for 30 series, M8 for 40 and 45 series, and M10 for 60 series.

Can I use a different thread than the series default?

Yes, with a reducer nut. The body fits the larger groove but the thread is smaller. For example, an M5 thread in a 30 series (8 mm) groove, or an M6 in a 40 series (10 mm) groove.

What is the difference between pre-set and subsequent?

Pre-set nuts are placed before assembly (from the slot mouth) and have an anti-drop tab. Subsequent nuts slide in from the end face after assembly. Both carry the same load once bolted.

Which type should I use for a vibrating application?

Anti-torsion nuts with twin wings. They grip the groove walls and retain 95 per cent of bolt torque under vibration. Available for 30 and 40 series, M6 and M8.

Do you supply matching bolts?

Yes. We supply T-slot bolts in M4 to M10, in lengths from 6 mm to 50 mm, in carbon steel and stainless steel. Specify the thread, length and material when ordering.

What is the minimum order quantity?

No MOQ for stock sizes. Price breaks apply at 100, 500 and 1000 pieces. For custom configurations (stainless, precision tolerance, pre-set square), the MOQ is 500 pieces.

What we need to quote T-nuts

The profile series (15, 20, 30, 40, 45 or 60) for each joint location.
The thread size: M4, M5, M6, M8 or M10. Call out reducer configurations explicitly.
The nut type: pre-set, subsequent, square, or anti-torsion.
The material: carbon steel zinc plated, or stainless steel.
The quantity per type and size, with the total across all lines.
Whether you need matching bolts and at what lengths.

Send those six items and the quotation comes back with the unit price at each quantity break, the material surcharge for stainless if applicable, and the lead time for stocked and non-stocked sizes. Browse the full connecting elements range for related fasteners.