Insulation fasteners are small parts with a big job. They hold thermal and acoustic insulation on ducts, panels, equipment and enclosures. The wrong choice leads to sagging insulation, slow installs or rework.
The Davis Stud Welding insulation fastener range falls into four families: welded insulation pins, cup head weld pins, adhesive insulation hangers and lacing anchors. Here is how they compare.
Insulation Fasteners at a Glance
| Fastener | How it attaches | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation pins with washers | Pin is CD welded to bare metal, insulation is pressed on, and a self locking washer holds it | Bare steel, stainless or aluminum, with a CD stud welder on hand |
| Cup head weld pins | Pin and cap weld through the insulation in one step | Production work on ducts and panels |
| Insulation hangers | Base bonds to the surface with tape or adhesive, no welding | Surfaces or sites where welding is not practical |
| Lacing anchors | Pushed through an insulation blanket with the hooked head on the face and a washer behind; lacing wire ties the hooks together | Removable, reusable insulation blankets |
Insulation Pins and Self Locking Washers
Plain insulation pins, also called weld pins or CD insulation nails, are welded to the metal first. The insulation is then pressed over the pins, and a self locking washer pushed down each pin holds it tight. Because the pins go on before the insulation, each weld can be checked before it is covered.
Davis stocks CD insulation nails in mild steel with copper or galvanized plating, plus stainless steel and aluminum versions. Mild steel pins come in 10, 12 and 14 gauge and 3 mm diameters, with a wide range of standard lengths.
To finish the job, pair the pins with self locking washers in square or round shapes, including 316 stainless steel, or with domed capped speed washers in aluminum that cover the sharp pin end where appearance or safety matters.
A few tips:
- Match the pin to the base metal: aluminum pins for aluminum, stainless pins for stainless.
- Match the length to the insulation: the pin needs to pass through the full thickness so the washer can seat firmly. Excess pin can then be clipped off or bent over, or covered with a dome cap.
- Weld to clean, bare metal: paint, oil and heavy mill scale get in the way of a sound weld.
Cup Head Weld Pins
Cup head pins combine the pin and the cap in one piece. The insulation goes on first, then each pin is welded straight through it with a CD stud welder. There is no separate washer step, which suits high volume duct and panel work.
Davis carries cup head CD weld pins and 316 stainless cup head pins. For technique, see the advanced guide to welding cup head pins.
Insulation Hangers: Self Stick, Perforated Base and Nylon Anchors
Not every surface can take a weld. Insulation hangers, also called insulation anchors or stick pins, bond to the surface instead.
- The self stick insulation anchor has a 2 inch square metal base with adhesive tape on the back and a pin already attached.
- The perforated base insulation anchor has a galvanized steel base and a 12 gauge pin as standard. The holes in the base give adhesive a better grip.
- The nylon insulation anchor is moulded from nylon in a single piece. It does not conduct heat or cold and weighs less than a metal anchor.
Davis also supplies adhesives for mounting hangers. Adhesive needs a clean surface and time to cure before the insulation goes on, so on bare metal, welded pins are usually the faster option. Why Adhesives Slow Down Production looks at the cost of that wait in detail.
Lacing Anchors
Lacing anchors work differently from the other fasteners here, because they are not welded to the job. They are used to build removable, reusable insulation blankets. The pin is pushed through the front of the blanket so the hooked head sits snug against it, and a self locking washer locks it in place on the back. Lacing wire run through the hooks then laces the blanket closed around the equipment. Davis offers lacing anchors in mild steel and stainless steel, plus slim versions, in 12 and 14 gauge.
Six Questions to Choose the Right Insulation Fastener
- What is the surface? Clean steel, stainless or aluminum can take welded pins. Surfaces that cannot be welded call for hangers.
- Is a CD stud welder available? If not, Davis offers stud welder rentals, along with CD stud welding equipment and bundles to buy.
- Does the insulation go on before or after the fasteners? Before points to cup head pins. After points to insulation pins with washers, or to hangers.
- Will the insulation need to come off for maintenance? Removable blankets built with lacing anchors can be unlaced and refitted.
- How thick is the insulation? Pin length has to suit the full thickness.
- What is the environment? Damp, corrosive or washdown areas point toward stainless pins and washers.
Insulation Pin FAQ
What are insulation pins?
Metal pins that hold insulation to a surface. Most are CD welded and finished with a self locking washer or an attached cap.
What is the difference between insulation pins and insulation hangers?
Pins are welded to the metal. Hangers bond to the surface with tape or adhesive.
Can insulation pins be welded to aluminum?
Yes, using aluminum pins and a CD stud welder. Steel pins will not form a sound weld on aluminum.
What holds insulation on a plain weld pin?
A self locking washer pushed down over the pin.
Do cup head pins need washers?
No. The cap is part of the pin, so the job is done in one step.
Get the Right Insulation Fasteners
From weld pins and washers to hangers and lacing anchors, Davis Stud Welding can help match the fastener and the equipment to the job. Call 1 (855) 720-2977, contact the team or request a quote.