Exploring the World of Rivets: Types, Materials, and Applications in Manufacturing

Many components and structures are put together to make up a complete part. Using some essential tools can arrange these components. One of the heroes in the manufacturing industry is rivets. Different types of rivets are available for use based on their design requirements and properties.

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These rivets offer fastening capabilities for both light and heavy-duty applications. This makes them valuable for several applications, ranging from aircraft to submarines and sheet-metal assemblies. They are also beneficial for supporting tensile and shear loads.

This article will guide you through the various types of rivets and their uses. Let's get right to it!

An Overview of Rivets

What is a Rivet? 

In simple terms, a rivet is a mechanical fastener with a head and tail at opposite sides. It has a head, a smooth cylindrical body, and a metallic pin-like tail.

Rivets are usually made of aluminum or steel, but other materials are also used. These fasteners are not tightened like bolts and nuts. Unique installing methods with rivets ensure permanent parts assembly or connection.
How Do Rivets Work?

Rivets play a crucial role in machine and structure construction. You can install rivets through drilling, punching, or placing them in a hole and deforming the tail. The most popular riveting process involves drilling a hole in parts to be riveted because it is simpler and more accessible.

The rivet fits into a drilled hole that is slightly larger than its diameter to secure it. Once installed, the tail comes out at the other end and is deformed. By pounding or smashing the tail of the rivet, it flattens the material, causing the tail to unfold or spread. It spreads out to about one and a half times the original size.

In other words, by pounding or pulling, you can create a dumbbell-sized rivet, breaking off the tail flatter on one end and creating a new head on the other. The tail takes the shape of a dumbbell, and the joint is riveted.

Disadvantages of Rivets

Like any method or tool, riveting has its disadvantages:

Riveting is more time-consuming and labor-intensive than welding, requiring additional work such as layouts and hole drilling.

The labor cost of rivet joints is relatively high.

Rivet joints are heavier compared to welded joints due to the use of rivets and strap plates.

Riveting process generates noise from hammer blows.

Riveting does not guarantee a tight and leak-proof joint.

Rivet joints are generally heavier than brazed or welded joints.

Materials Used for Rivets

Various metals are used in manufacturing rivets, including steel, copper, brass, aluminum, and stainless steel. Designers and manufacturers choose these materials based on their specific needs.

Steel

Steel with low carbon properties is suitable for rivet applications because it fits well and is highly flexible. High carbon steel rivets require more material and have reduced moldability.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel rivets are hard, strong, and resistant to corrosion. They are commonly used in industries like locomotive, aircraft, and power production.

Aluminum

Aluminum is known for its lightweight and malleability. It offers strong corrosion resistance and is easy to form into complex part configurations.

Brass

Brass is flexible and has excellent resistance to tarnish and good strength. Brass rivets are ideal for gas appliances because they do not create sparks.

Copper

Copper is flexible and incredibly conductive to heat and electricity. Copper rivets are often preferred in water and electrical appliances.

Different Types of Rivets

There are several different types of rivets, but they can be broadly divided into the following categories:

Solid Rivets: The Most Common Rivets

Solid rivets are simple, dependable, and the oldest form of joining materials. They consist of a solid shaft with a head on one end that is punched in. The other end is deformed using a rivet gun or hammer. Solid rivets are often used in structural parts of aircraft.

Blind Rivets: Also Named Pop Rivets

Blind rivets, also known as hollow or pop rivets, are tubular fasteners with a mandrel through their center. They are inserted into drilled holes in parts to be joined. The blind end of the rivets expands, causing the mandrel to snap off. Blind rivets can be installed from one side of the part and are suitable when the rear end of a joint is difficult to access.

Tubular Rivets: With a Hollow End

Tubular rivets have a manufactured head on one side and a hollow end on the other. The hollow end protrudes through the pieces being joined. Tubular rivets are popular in commercial applications due to their extensive cold forming requirements.

Split Rivets: Home Repair Rivets

Split rivets, also known as bifurcated rivets, are used for joining softer materials like leather, plastic, and wood. They have split or sawed bodies and sharp ends to make holes in the materials themselves.

Flush Rivets: Also Called Countersink Rivets

Flush rivets, also countersunk rivets, are used on external surfaces to ensure a good appearance and eliminate aerodynamic drag. They use countersunk holes and heads and are commonly used in aerospace applications.

Self-Piercing Rivets: Great Column Strength

Self-piercing rivets have a bevel drill or chamfered poke at their end, eliminating the need for pre-drilling or punching holes. They pass through the top layer of material while leaving the bottom layer half pierced, creating a gas-tight or water joint.

Friction Lock Rivets: Similar to Expanding Bolts

Friction lock rivets are made in a cupola or countersunk way. They function similarly to expanding bolts and have shafts that snap below the surfaces when there is enough tension. Friction lock rivets are commonly used in the aerospace field for light aircraft repairs.

What are Rivets Used For?

Rivets are primarily used to securely fasten two or more metallic or wooden materials. They provide a stronger joint compared to screws of the same diameter.

Here are some common uses of rivets:

Aircraft construction: Rivets are essential in joining solid and heavy materials together, ensuring strength and alignment.

Jewelry making: Riveting is a cold joining technique used by jewelry manufacturers to connect metal pieces without soldering.

Home building: Rivets are used in fiberglass roofing, construction of gutters, window blinds, wind guards, doors, and hanger straps.

 provides CNC machining metal rivets and custom precision CNC machining services for prototyping and production. With our expertise and fast lead times, we deliver quality results for your applications.

To summarize, different types of rivets are available for various applications. It is important to select the appropriate rivet material and type based on your specific needs.

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