{"id":16710,"date":"2026-04-16T15:30:52","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T20:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.misumiusa.com\/?page_id=16710"},"modified":"2026-04-17T12:44:39","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T17:44:39","slug":"helicoil-vs-threaded-insert","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/helicoil-vs-threaded-insert\/","title":{"rendered":"Helicoil vs. Threaded Insert"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When internal threads wear out, strip, or need added reinforcement, two of the most common solutions are helicoils and threaded inserts. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. A helicoil is a type of helical wire insert designed to restore or strengthen threads inside a tapped hole, while threaded inserts more broadly include solid-bodied designs used to create durable internal threads in a range of materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>What is a Helicoil (Helical)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/what-is-a-helicoil\/\" title=\"\">helicoil<\/a> is a threaded insert made from a helical coil of metal wire, typically formed from stainless steel or another durable alloy. Once installed into a prepared hole, it creates a new internal thread that matches the original fastener size. Because of its spring-like helical shape, the insert can fit tightly into the surrounding material while still providing a precise thread form on the inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>What is a Threaded Insert?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A threaded insert is a metal or engineered insert that is installed into a part to create a usable internal thread for a screw or bolt. Unlike a helical wire insert, which is formed from coiled wire, a threaded insert is usually a solid piece with both internal and external features designed for retention. The outside of the insert may be threaded, knurled, barbed, or otherwise shaped so it stays anchored in the surrounding material after installation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<style>\n.threaded-inserts-cta {\n    display: inline-flex;\n    align-items: center;\n    padding: 12px 24px;\n    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #FFD700 0%, #FFC107 100%);\n    color: #003366;\n    text-decoration: none;\n    border-radius: 6px;\n    font-weight: 600;\n    font-size: 16px;\n    letter-spacing: 0.5px;\n    transition: all 0.3s ease;\n    box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(255, 215, 0, 0.3);\n    border: 2px solid #0066CC;\n    cursor: pointer;\n    text-transform: uppercase;\n}\n\n.threaded-inserts-cta:hover {\n    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #FFC107 0%, #FFB300 100%);\n    border-color: #004499;\n    transform: translateY(-2px);\n    box-shadow: 0 6px 16px rgba(255, 215, 0, 0.4);\n}\n\n.threaded-inserts-cta:active {\n    transform: translateY(0);\n    box-shadow: 0 2px 8px rgba(255, 215, 0, 0.3);\n}\n\n.cta-icon {\n    margin-right: 8px;\n    font-size: 18px;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/vona2\/mech_screw\/M3304000000\/M3304020000\/\" class=\"threaded-inserts-cta\">\n    <span class=\"cta-icon\">\u2699<\/span>\n    Browse Threaded Inserts\n<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Key Differences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap\">\n  <style>\n    .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap {\n      width: 100%;\n      margin: 24px 0;\n      font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;\n    }\n\n    .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap table {\n      width: 100%;\n      border-collapse: collapse;\n      table-layout: fixed;\n      border: 2px solid #005BAC;\n      background: #ffffff;\n      font-size: 15px;\n      color: #000000;\n    }\n\n    .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap th,\n    .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap td {\n      border: 1px solid #005BAC;\n      padding: 12px 14px;\n      text-align: left;\n      vertical-align: top;\n      line-height: 1.5;\n      word-wrap: break-word;\n    }\n\n    .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap thead th {\n      background: #005BAC;\n      color: #ffffff;\n      font-weight: 700;\n    }\n\n    .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap tbody tr:nth-child(even) {\n      background: #FFF8CC;\n    }\n\n    .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap tbody tr:hover {\n      background: #FFD700;\n      transition: background-color 0.25s ease;\n    }\n\n    .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap tbody td:first-child {\n      font-weight: 700;\n      background: #f5f5f5;\n      width: 22%;\n    }\n\n    .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap tbody tr:hover td:first-child {\n      background: #FFD700;\n    }\n\n    @media screen and (max-width: 768px) {\n      .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap table,\n      .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap thead,\n      .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap tbody,\n      .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap th,\n      .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap td,\n      .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap tr {\n        display: block;\n      }\n\n      .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap thead {\n        display: none;\n      }\n\n      .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap tr {\n        margin-bottom: 16px;\n        border: 2px solid #005BAC;\n      }\n\n      .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap td {\n        border: 1px solid #005BAC;\n        position: relative;\n        padding: 10px 12px;\n        width: 100% !important;\n      }\n\n      .misumi-helicoil-threadedinsert-table-wrap td:first-child {\n        background: #005BAC;\n        color: #ffffff;\n        font-weight: 700;\n      }\n    }\n  <\/style>\n\n  <table>\n    <thead>\n      <tr>\n        <th>Difference<\/th>\n        <th>Helicoils<\/th>\n        <th>Threaded Inserts<\/th>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/thead>\n    <tbody>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Construction<\/td>\n        <td>Made from a helical coil of wire that forms internal threads once installed.<\/td>\n        <td>Solid-bodied insert with internal and external features.<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Design Type<\/td>\n        <td>Wire-based thread reinforcement or repair solution.<\/td>\n        <td>Solid inserts in many styles and retention methods.<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Typical Use<\/td>\n        <td>Restore damaged threads or reinforce threads in softer metals.<\/td>\n        <td>Create strong, durable threads in metals, plastics, wood, and composites.<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Installation<\/td>\n        <td>Installed into a prepared and tapped hole, usually with a dedicated installation tool.<\/td>\n        <td>May be screwed in, pressed in, heat-set, molded in, or locked in depending on the insert type.<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Strength<\/td>\n        <td>Improves thread wear resistance and load distribution, especially in lightweight materials.<\/td>\n        <td>Provides greater pull-out resistance and thread durability in demanding applications.<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Space Requirements<\/td>\n        <td>Works well where wall thickness and installation space are limited.<\/td>\n        <td>Some designs require more surrounding material and installation depth.<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Material Compatibility<\/td>\n        <td>Metal parts, especially aluminum and similar alloys.<\/td>\n        <td>Wide range of materials, including plastic, wood, and composite parts.<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Repair vs. Original Design<\/td>\n        <td>Repair and metal thread reinforcement.<\/td>\n        <td>Both original product design and repair, depending on the application.<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n      <tr>\n        <td>Reusability<\/td>\n        <td>Handles repeated fastener use better than bare parent material.<\/td>\n        <td>Selected where long-term thread life and repeated assembly are important.<\/td>\n      <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody>\n  <\/table>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2>When To Use Each<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Helicoils<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Best for repairing damaged threads in metal parts<\/li><li>Commonly used in aluminum and other softer metals<\/li><li>Helpful when the original fastener size needs to stay the same<\/li><li>Good where space is limited around the hole<\/li><li>Often chosen for thread reinforcement using a helical wire insert design<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Threaded Inserts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Best for creating stronger, more permanent internal threads<\/li><li>Commonly used in plastic, wood, composites, and softer metals<\/li><li>Better for applications with frequent assembly and disassembly<\/li><li>Useful when higher pull-out resistance and long-term durability are needed<\/li><li>Often preferred when the material does not hold threads well on its own<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Parting Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/\">MISUMI USA<\/a>&nbsp;carries a wide range of&nbsp;Inserts, including \u2013 threaded inserts, <a href=\"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/vona2\/mech_screw\/M3304000000\/M3304010000\/\" title=\"\">tangless inserts<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/vona2\/mech_screw\/M3304000000\/M3304040000\/\" title=\"\">insert tools<\/a>, helicals, and more. If you have any questions about fastening concerns for your next project or fix, please feel free to contact our&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/service\/info\/help-center\/product-support.html\">product experts, and engineers<\/a>. For more insights about thread inserts\/helicals, and other manufacturing related articles be sure to check out our blog, and articles like \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/what-is-a-helicoil\/\" title=\"\">What Is a Helicoil and When Should You Use One?<\/a>, 7 Tips for Using Helicals, 5 Facts About Helicals, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Author:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/author\/sbredemann\/\">Scott Bredemann<\/a>&nbsp;| Updated: 4\/16\/2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>Disclaimer:<br><\/strong>The content on this webpage is for informational purposes only. MISUMI makes no guarantees, expressed or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or validity of the information. Performance parameters, tolerances, designs, materials, or processes should not be assumed to reflect third-party suppliers\u2019 or manufacturers\u2019 deliverables within MISUMI\u2019s network. Buyers are responsible for specifying their part requirements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When internal threads wear out, strip, or need added reinforcement, two of the most common solutions are helicoils and threaded inserts. While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same thing. A helicoil is a type of helical wire insert designed to restore or strengthen threads inside a tapped hole, while threaded inserts more broadly include solid-bodied [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":70,"featured_media":16719,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16710"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/70"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16710"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16710\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16728,"href":"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/16710\/revisions\/16728"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16710"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}