Types of Rivets and Their Uses

Rivets are one of the most classic fasteners used in mechanical applications, their permanency and firmness make them different from other fastening components. To suit varying requirements, there is a wide range of rivets are designed for different styles. What are the different types of rivets and their uses? Here are introductions to each category of the rivet with details involving their construction, installation, and applications.

What Is a Rivet and How Does a Rivet Work?

A rivet is a type of mechanical fastener that used to connect or assembly parts permanently through unique installing methods. It’s consists of a smooth cylindrical shaft connected with a head on one end, the head has a larger diameter than the shaft. How does a rivet work? Put the rivet into a drilled hole in the material being fastened, make the smaller end deformed using external impact to flatten this end and secure it tightly. Once the rivet is installed, it will not fall off unless it is deliberately destroyed. A rivet is also a CNC machining part that can be processed with aluminum, copper and more materials.

What are the different types of rivets and their applications? Commonly used rivets including solid rivets, tubular rivets, blind rivets, drive rivets, split rivets, etc. Here we list the major rivets types and their appearance for better identification.

– Solid rivets: also known as round rivets, solid rivets are one of the oldest fasteners, have the most basic construction: a shaft and a head, which is deformed with a hammer or rivet gun. A rivet compression or crimping tool can also deform this type of rivet. Solid rivets are driven using a hydraulically, pneumatically, or electromagnetically actuated squeezing tool or even a handheld hammer. Solid rivets are suitable for the applications where require high reliability and safety, including aircraft structural parts (aluminum alloy rivet, titanium alloy rivet, nickel-based alloy rivet), bridges, cranes, building frames (steel rivet) and modern reproductions of medieval armor, jewelry and metal fashion.

– Tubular rivets: also known as semi-tubular rivets, its structure is similar to solid rivets, the difference is tubular rivets have a partial hole at the tip. The design of the hole is for reducing the amount of force required by rolling the tubular portion outward. So the needed force to apply a tubular rivet is about 1/4 of that to apply a solid rivet. The typical applications of tubular rivets are lighting, brakes, ladders, binders, HVAC duct work, mechanical products, and electronics. The available materials are ranging from steel, stainless, to aluminum, brass, and copper.

– Blind rivets: also known as pop rivets, are tubular fasteners consist of a rivet and a mandrel through the center. Blind rivets can be installed without access to the back side of the item being riveted. The rivet assembly is inserted into a tight hole through the material to be joined and a riveter or special tool is used to draw the mandrel through the rivet, the compression force between the head of the mandrel and the tool expands the diameter of the tube, then locking the sheets being fastened. Blind rivets can be divided into standard blind rivets, self-drilling blind rivets, self-tapping blind rivets, speed fastening blind rivets. Blind rivets can be used for different purposes at home applications, attaching nameplates, signs, hinges, door knobs, handles, and ceiling decorations, as well as woodworking and industrial applications.

– Drive rivets: a form of blind rivets that with a short mandrel from the head, where different from many blind rivets is that the mandrel of drive rivet is hammered into the rivet body to expand the shank and make it grip the hole wall. Drive rivets are used to secure panels and other similar architectural features to masonry walls, it does not need through-holes. Drive rivets are best for any purposes in which the hole does not penetrate the entire sheet or panel.

– Split rivets: also known as bifurcated rivets, are a type of self-piercing rivet, split rivets have unique designs, they have split bodies or pairs of legs on smaller ends. The best uses for split rivets are soft materials, including plastic, wood, or leather.

There are more forms of rivets are available. For example, the flush rivets, also known as countersunk rivets, primarily used on external metal surfaces where need good appearance and elimination of unnecessary aerodynamic drag. Their typical uses are the exterior of the aircraft. And friction rivets, Oscar rivets, self-piercing rivets, etc. Junying CNC milling services and CNC turning services are capable of producing high-quality custom metal rivets and other precision machined components for your needs.

Types of Rivets and Their Uses – Rivets Definition, Types and Applications | CNCLATHING

What Is a Rivet and How Does a Rivet Work?

Types of Rivets and Their Uses

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