Different Types of Rivets and Their Common Uses
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Rivets are close “connecting bridges” in components and structures and are widely used in industry, people’s livelihoods, and various important fields.
Although rivet nuts are small, they play a very important role in connection, so rivets are also called “heroes of manufacturing”.
From aerospace to office machines, electronics, and sports field equipment, it can be said that the rivet nut has now become an effective and stable mechanical connection method.
In this article, Googletech engineers will guide you through the various types of rivets and their common uses.
What Is Rivet?
A rivetis a metal rod-shaped part with a cap at one end.After penetrating the connected components, the other end is punched and pressed out from the outer end of the rod to compress and fix the components.
A rivnut is a type of fastenerconsisting of a head and a shank.It is used to fasten and connect two parts (or components) through holes to make them as a whole.
This form of connection is called rivet connection, or riveting for short. It belongs to the non-detachable connection. If two parts that are joined together are to be separated, the rivet bolt on the parts must be broken.
The difference between rivets and screws:Rivets deform by themselves, generally one end becomes larger, connecting two (or more than two) parts together. After riveting, if we want to split the part, we must break the rivet nut.
The screwis screwed into the body of the part through the thread to connect the parts. Therefore, if you want to disassemble the part, you only need to unscrew the screw. The screw is not damaged and can be used repeatedly.
In general:The screws are easy to adjust during use, and the rivets are not easy to adjust. Screws are movable fasteners and rivet screws are fixed fasteners.
Rivet:In riveting, the parts that are riveted are connected by their own deformation or interference. There are many types of rivets, and they are informal.
History:The earliest rivets were small pegs made of wood or bone, and the earliest metal deformations were probably the ancestors of the rivets we know today.
There is no doubt that riveting is the oldest known method of joining metals, going back as far as the earliest use of malleable metals, eg: Bronze Age Egyptians riveted the six wooden sectors of the outer lines of a slotted wheel with rivets Fastened together after the Greeks had successfully cast the large statue in bronze, the parts were riveted together with rivets.
In 1916, when H. V. White of the British Aircraft Manufacturing Company first obtained a patent for a blind rivet that can be riveted on one side, people hardly expected that this kind of rivet screw would be so widely used today.
How Do Rivets Work?
A rivet connection is a non-removable static connection that uses rivets to connect two or more elements (usually plates or profiles) together, referred to as riveting. There are two types of rivets: hollow and solid. The most commonly used riveting is the solid rivet joint. The solid rivet connection is mostly used for the connection of metal parts with a large force, and the hollow rivet connection is used for the connection of thin plates or non-metal parts with less force.
There are two types of riveting:Cold riveting and hot riveting. The tightness of hot riveting is good, but there is a gap between the rivet rod and the nail hole, which cannot participate in the force transmission. When cold riveting, the nail rod is upsetting, the account is full of nail holes, and there is no gap between the nail rod and the nail hole.
Materials Used For Rivets
What are rivets made of? The material of rivets can be aluminum, iron, stainless steel, copper, and other materials, and different materials have different advantages and disadvantages.
Aluminum rivetshave low density and are lightweight, but long-term exposure to aluminum to humid air produces white aluminum oxide.
Copper rivetsare soft and ductile, but not as strong as stainless steel and are easily oxidized.
Iron rivetshave a high tensile force but are easy to rust.
Steelhas low-carbon properties, and it can be used to engage parts well after being made into rivets. In addition, compared with high-carbon steel rivets, low-carbon steel rivets have higher flexibility and adaptability. Of course, the cost of high-carbon steel rivets is also higher than that of low-carbon steel rivets.
Stainless steel rivetsare resistant to oxidation and can remain rust-free in wet and acid-base conditions, while ordinary steel plates are prone to rust.
Stainless steel rivets have good hardness and can improve the service life of parts. These deep-processed rivets are often used in important fields, such as automobiles, trains, electricity production, and other industries closely related to people’s livelihoods.
Generally speaking, rivets made of stainless steel are more suitable. However, there are differences between semi-stainless steel rivets and all-stainless steel rivets. The stainless steel material of stainless steel rivets is generally 304 stainless steel, which is divided into closed rivets and open rivets. The combination of these two types of rivets is subdivided into nail rods and nail shells.
The semi-stainless steel rivet refers to the shell of the nail being 304 stainless steel, and the nail rod being iron; The full stainless steel rivet is the nail rod, and the nail and shell are made of 304 stainless steel.
More specifically, rivnut is punched in a cold heading machine with materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, iron, brass, and red copper.
In order to prevent corrosion and oxidation, rivet nuts are generally surface-treated. The usual surface treatment methods are nickel plating, zinc plating, chrome plating, and painting.
Types Of Rivets And Their Applications
Commonly used rivets are R-type rivets, fan rivets, blind rivets (blind rivets), flat head rivets, snap head rivets, aircraft rivets, semi-hollow rivets, solid rivets, copper rivets, countersunk rivets, hollow rivets, these are usually using their own deformation to connect the riveted parts. Generally less than 8 mm with cold riveting, larger than this size with hot riveting. Following we are going to introduce the rivet types and uses more specifically.
Fan Rivets:The fan rivet nut is specially designed for manual installation. It can be pulled in through the hole of the panel or the bottom frame. It is made of elastomer material and has good toughness. Fan rivets are mainly used for fixing electronic computer case fans, heat sinks, and chips, with anti-vibration and noise reduction.
Blind Rivets:What is a blind rivet? The Blind rivet screw is a new type of riveting fastener that is very convenient for riveting. The types of blind rivets can show their unique advantages in a relatively small space or in an environment where there is no rivet gun or a rivet gun cannot be used. Two or more connected parts can be riveted successfully by hitting the mandrel on one side with a hammer or other utensils. Blind rivets can be divided into flat head rivets and countersunk rivets according to the shape of the spike cap brim.
Blind rivetsare the most common type of rivets. They are used in a wide variety of applications, including automotive, aerospace, and construction. Blind rivets are available in a variety of materials, including aluminum, steel, and stainless steel.
Solid Rivets:Solid rivet nuts are another common type of rivets. Unlike blind rivets, solid rivets must be inserted from the back side of the workpiece. Solid rivets are available in a variety of materials, including aluminum, steel, and stainless steel.
Pulling Rivets:The types of pulling rivet bolts can be roughly divided into open type, closed type, double drum type, and single drum type series. The following is a brief introduction to their respective models:
Countersunk Blind Rivets:The riveting of riveting parts with a smooth and beautiful appearance is required for the riveted surface.
Multigrip Type Blind Rivets:During riveting, the mandrel pulls the end of the special rivet body into a double drum shape, clamps the two structural parts to be riveted, and can reduce the pressure acting on the surface of the structural parts. Mainly used for riveting various thin structural parts in vehicles, ships, construction, machinery, electronics, and other industries.
Brim Blind Rivets:Compared with ordinary blind rivets, the diameter of the aluminum cap of the rivet is significantly larger. When the special rivet is riveted with the connector, it has a larger contact area and a stronger supporting surface, which can enhance the torque strength and can withstand higher Radial pull. It is suitable for fastening soft and fragile surface materials and extra-large holes. The increased diameter of the brim has special protection applications for soft materials.
Sealed Type Blind Rivets:Designed to wrap around the mandrel head after riveting, it is ideal for many applications where waterproofing is required. With high shear force, anti-vibration, and anti-high pressure.
All-Aluminum Blind Rivets:The nail body of the rivet nut is also made of high-quality aluminum wire, which is beautiful and durable after riveting and will never rust. Compared with ordinary blind rivets, the rivet has a lower riveting strength and is suitable for connecting parts with relatively soft materials.
Open Stainless Steel Rivets:This special rivet is the best choice for high tensile force requirements and corrosion resistance.
Flat head rivet: Mainly used for riveting metal sheets or non-metallic materials such as leather, canvas, and wood.
Semi-Tubular Rivets:Semi-tubular rivets are similar to solid rivets, but they have a tubular body that is partially filled with the material being joined. Semi-tubular rivets are available in a variety of materials, including aluminum, steel, and stainless steel.
Hollow Rivets:Lightweight, weak nailhead, used for riveting of non-metallic materials with little load.
Drive-Pin Rivetshave a short mandrel protruding from the head. Once the drive pin rivet is inserted into the hole, its mandrel can be manipulated with a hammer. Drive pin rivets are used more in construction because they are aesthetically pleasing and do not require drilling. It is important to note, however, that drive pin rivets have less clamping force than many other types of rivets.
The Drive Rivetis another type of single-sided riveting rivet bolt, which is also called the type of pop rivet. When riveting, the rivet head is tapped with a hammer to expose the mandrel, so that it is flush with the end face of the nail head, that is, the riveting operation is completed.
Drive Pins:Drive pins are a type of fastener that is driven into the workpiece using a hammer or other tool. Drive pins are available in a variety of materials, including aluminum, steel, and stainless steel.
Tubular Rivet Type
Tubular rivets are very common in commercial use and are also very popular with businesses. This type of rivet has strong toughness and is a typical low-strength metal. The current mainstream tubular rivet types include the following:
Compression Tubular Rivets:Compression tubular rivets have two parts with an interference fit during tightening. In commercial use, especially when soft materials are fastened, it will protect the appearance of the material from being affected, showing good aesthetics.
Full Tubular Rivets:Compared with half tubular rivets, the biggest feature of full tubular rivets is that the holes must be drilled deeper to operate. They penetrate softer materials such as plastics and fabrics more easily.
Split Rivets:Split rivets are mainly used in the home improvement industry, so they are also called bifurcated rivets. They are the best choice for joining leather goods, plastics, and wood.
Specification Table For Blind Rivets
| Rivet Size | Cap | Rivet Gun Size | Scope |
| 2. 4*4 | 2.5mm | 2.4 | 1–2mm |
| 2. “5 | 2.5mm | 2.4 | 2–3 mm |
| 2.4*6 | 2.5mrn | 2.4 | 3–4mm |
| 2. 9*4 | 3.0mm | 3.2 | 0–1mm |
| 2. 9*5 | 3.0mm | 3.2 | 1-2nlm |
| 2. 9*6 | 3.0mm | 3.2 | 2–3mm |
| 2. 9*7 | 3.0mm | 3.2 | 3–4mm |
| 2. 9*8 | 3.0mm | 3.2 | 4–5mm |
| 2. 9*10 | 3.0mm | 3.2 | 6–8mm |
| 3. 2*4 | 3.3mm | 3.2 | 0-1mm |
| 3. 2*5 | 3.3mm | 3.2 | 1-2 mm |
| 3. 2*6 | 3.3mm | 3.2 | 2–3mm |
| 3. 2*7 | 3.3mm | 3.2 | 3–4mm |
| 3. 2*8 | 3.3mm | 3.2 | 4–5 mm |
| 3. 2*10 | 3.3mm | 3.2 | 6–8mm |
| 3. 2*12 | 3.3mm | 3.2 | 8-9mm |
| 3. 2*14 | 3.3mm | 3.2 | 10-11 mn |
| 3. 2*16 | 3.3mm | 3.2 | 12-13nm |
| 3. 2*19 | 3.3mm | 3.2 | 14–16nm |
| 4*5 | 4.1-4. 2mm | 4 | 0–1mm |
| 4*6 | 4.1-4. 2mm | 4 | 1-2 mm |
| 4*8 | 4.1-4. 2mm | 4 | 3-4mm |
| 4*10 | 4.1-4. 2mm | 4 | 5–6mm |
| 4*12 | 4.1-4. 2mm | 4 | 7–8mm |
| 4*14 | 4.1-4. 2mm | 4 | 9-10mm |
| 4*16 | 4.1-4. 2mm | 4 | 11-12mm |
| 4*18 | 4.1-4. 2mm | 4 | 13-14nm |
| 4*20 | 4.1-4. 2mm | 4 | 15-16nm |
| 4*25 | 4.1-4. 2mm | 4 | 18-2lnm |
| 5*8(4. 8*8） | 4.1-4. 2mm | 4.8 | 2–3 mm |
| 5*10(4. 8*10） | 5.0-5.2mm | 4.8 | 4–5mm |
| 5*12(4.8*12） | 5.0-5.2mm | 4.8 | 6–7 mm |
| 5*14(4. 8*14） | 5.0-5.2mm | 4.8 | 8–9mm |
| 5*16(4. 8*16） | 5.0-5.2mm | 4.8 | 10-11mm |
| 5*18(4. 8*18） | 5.0-5.2mm | 4.8 | 12-13nn |
| 5*20(4. 8*20） | 5.0-5.2mm | 4.8 | 14-15nm |
| 5*25(4.8*25） | 5.0-5.2mm | 4.8 | 18-20nm |
| 6*10 | 6.1-6.2mm | 6 | 3–4 mm |
| 6*16 | 6.1-6.2mm | 6 | 8-10 mm |
| 6. 4*14 | 6.1-6.2mm | 6.4 | 6–8 mm |
Blind Rivets Drawings & Size Table.pdf
Common Used Rivet Specification Chart.pdf
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Each Type Of Rivet
There are many different types of rivets, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Solid rivetsare the most common type of rivets. However, they cannot be removed once they are installed.
Pop rivetsare another common type of rivet. They are easy to install and can be removed if necessary. However, they are not as strong as solid rivets and can come loose over time.
Blind rivetsare used when it is not possible to access the back side of the workpiece. They are easy to install but difficult to remove.
Button head rivetshave a small head that is flush with the surface of the workpiece. They are easy to install but difficult to remove.
Aircraft rivetsare very strong and can be used on thin materials. However, they are difficult to install and require special tools.
Rivet nutsare used when it is not possible to access the back side of the workpiece. They are easy to install but difficult to remove.
Paint rivetsare used to cover up holes in the workpiece. They are easy to install but difficult to remove.
When choosing a type of rivet, it is important to consider the application and the materials being used. Solid rivets are the strongest but cannot be removed. Pop rivets are easier to install and remove but are not as strong. Blind rivets are used when access to the back side of the workpiece is not possible. Button head rivets have a small head that is flush with the surface of the workpiece. Aircraft rivets are very strong but difficult to install. Rivet nuts are used when access to the back side of the workpiece is not possible. Paint rivets are used to cover up holes in the workpiece.
Application Scope Of Rivets
Rivets on Aircraft:Aircraft as a common vehicle, its robustness is an important proof of safety. The materials used in aircraft are strong, durable, and resistant to corrosion, and good materials require good tools to hold them together. At present, riveting, welding, and bolts basically meet the requirements of aircraft parts assembly.
Jewelry Industry:Professional jewelers apply the riveting process as a cold chain technology to jewelry. Jewelers can bond jewelry to metal by riveting. Therefore, the application of riveting technology is extremely extensive in the jewelry industry.
Connecting Parts:The initial application of rivets is in the field of people’s livelihood, and there are many traces of riveting in traditional wooden furniture. Cabinets, dining cabinets, wooden shelves, storage cabinets, and solid wood chairs. This furniture is all riveted craftsmanship. Rivets are used as joints to join various wood materials.
Precautions For Rivets
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Check the rivet finished products need to check:The diameter of the rivet body, the length of the rivet body, the thickness of the rivet body cap, the diameter of the cap, the total length of the mandrel, the exposed side of the mandrel, the size of the nail cap, and the outer diameter after assembly can be considered. In the actual inspection, the weak links of the product can be measured, such as tensile force, shear resistance, and core pull-out resistance.
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The key is to pay attention to the rivets, if the rivets are insufficient, whether they are riveted in place; or because the cap of the mandrel is too large, the mouth of the rivet body cannot be pulled down; and there are jump heads, that is, the mandrel is too low or broken. The size is too small etc.
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Rivet Material:Aluminum, iron, stainless steel, alloy, etc.
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The total thickness of the workpiece is generally 45%–65% of the length of the rivet, preferably not higher than 60%. In addition, the length of the workpiece is too short. If the length of the rivet is too long, the head of the rivet will be too large, and the nail rod will be easily bent; if the length of the rivet is too short, the thickness of the pier will be insufficient, and the forming of the nail head will be incomplete, which will affect the strength and tightness. It is not good if the rivet length is too long or too short. Only the right length can achieve the best riveting effect.
Conclusion:
In the end, what is Rivet used for, and how to choose rivets of different materials should be selected according to different needs. Googletech Co, Ltdis a professional rivet manufacturer integrating design, production, and sales. Our products include all kinds of stainless steel rivets, riveting guns, and related fasteners, such as open-end rivets, closed rivets, drum rivets, drawing rivets, and light rivets, lantern rivets. Welcome new and old customers to visit our company for exchange and cooperation.
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