{"id":16735,"date":"2026-04-19T22:51:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T03:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.misumiusa.com\/?page_id=16735"},"modified":"2026-04-19T22:51:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T03:51:13","slug":"6-quick-facts-about-helical-coils","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/us.misumi-ec.com\/blog\/6-quick-facts-about-helical-coils\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Quick Facts About Helical Coils"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Author: Scott Bredemann<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Updated<\/strong>: 4\/17\/2026 | Read Time<\/strong>: 5mins<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Helical coils are one of those components many people have seen but may not know much about. They are commonly used to restore damaged threads, reinforce weaker materials, and help threaded holes hold up better over time. These quick facts take a closer look at what helical coils are and what makes them more interesting than they first appear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#1 They Can Save a Throw Away Part<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A stripped threaded hole does not always mean the part is done for. In many cases, a helical coil can restore the threads and make the component usable again without replacing the entire piece. That is a big advantage when the damaged part is expensive, hard to source, or built into a larger assembly where one failed thread can create a much bigger repair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#2 Stronger Than the Original Threads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is especially true in softer metals like aluminum, where factory-cut threads can wear or strip more easily over time. Once installed, the coil provides a more durable threaded surface that is better suited for repeated fastening and removal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#3 They Go by Several Names in the Industry<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Depending on the shop, supplier, or application, you may hear them called helicoils, helical inserts, coil inserts, or thread repair inserts. That overlap in terminology can be confusing, especially since people sometimes use the names loosely even when they are not talking about the exact same type of insert.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#4 Their Wire Design Is What Makes Them Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It is not a solid sleeve, but a carefully formed piece of wire wound into a coil shape. Once installed, that spring-like design lets it grip the tapped hole while creating strong, consistent internal threads inside it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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#5 A Brand Name Became Industry Shorthand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHeli-Coil\u201d did not begin as a generic term at all. It started as a product name tied to the early development of helical coil inserts, which date back to the 1930s and gained recognition as industries looked for stronger threads in lighter materials. Over time, the name became so familiar that many people began using \u201cHeli-Coil\u201d as shorthand for the entire product type, even when they were not referring to that specific brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

#6 Their Early History Is Tied to Aircraft Design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The early history of helical coils is closely tied to aviation. In the 1930s, manufacturers needed a way to create stronger, more reliable threads in lighter materials used for aircraft parts and engines. Helical coils helped solve that problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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