Looking for a Reliable Rivet Supplier?
Choosing the right rivet often means ensuring your products are hassle-free for customers. Whether you're working on motor body construction, security fences, or any other projects, purchasing rivets from a specialist fastening company that understands rivets and their functionality makes perfect sense. For quick and efficient rivet selection, we now offer an all-in-one link on our website's top menu bar. Rivet Dept is dedicated exclusively to everything related to rivets, including rivet tools and rivet-related articles. We cover essentials like versatile multi-grip rivets to specialized tri-fold rivets and heavy-duty industrial-strength Huck rivets. So, for all your rivet needs—from selecting the right type to rivet testing services—Rivet Department is your one-stop destination.
Before diving deeper into this article, let's touch base with the basics. What exactly is a rivet? Essentially, a rivet consists of two components: a tube and a pin. The pin is usually longer than the tube and designed to be pulled up through the tube during installation, causing it to expand. As the body expands, it secures the material between the two ends. At a predetermined point, the pin used to pull up the body breaks off and falls away. The key advantage of a rivet is that it is fast and easy to use, durable, and cost-effective. Rivets work well for joining various materials, including thin sheets of metal, composites, and more.
- One-sided assembly allows for rapid installations since access to the back isn't required.
- Highly resilient, forming a permanently secured mechanical joint.
- Easy to use with air, cordless, or manual rivet tools requiring minimal effort and training.
- Design flexibility with a wide range of types and materials suitable for most applications.
- Simple inspection and maintenance without expensive equipment for quality checks.
What Are the Main Types of Rivets?
Here we list different subcategories of rivets along with some specialized heavy-duty structural rivets. While there are many types of rivets like semi-tubular, split, and solid rivets, this article focuses solely on blind rivets. Your rivet selection should depend on the application you think is necessary, whether it's lightweight gutter installation or heavy-duty truck fabrication. There are numerous terms for the same rivet type, and in this article, we’ve included the different descriptions in the titles.
General Rivet Types
Open End Rivet (Pop Rivet or Blind Rivet)
Open end rivets mean the rivet body is hollow, i.e., "open end tube (body)." This is the most common and least expensive rivet. Available in a variety of materials, including steel & aluminum, all steel, all aluminum, stainless & steel, all stainless, nickel & copper. This rivet also has the widest range of head styles, such as dome head, truss, or large flange and countersunk.
Closed End Rivets (Sealed Rivets)
Sealed rivets or closed end rivets have a cup-shaped end that prevents water ingress from within the body of the rivet, though not between the outside of the body and the material. Many customers buy sealed rivets thinking they are 100% waterproof, but this perception is not entirely accurate. Compared to an open-end rivet of the same size and material, a closed-end rivet offers better shear and tensile strength.
Multi-Grip Rivet
Multi-Grip rivets are a strong and highly flexible option due to their extended material grip range. The multi-grip is our strongest standard rivet choice; for many, this rivet helps reduce stock options as one multi-grip rivet can replace several different sized open-end rivets. This helps reduce costs and minimize operator errors. Compared to an open-end rivet of the same size and material, a multi-grip rivet provides greater shear and tensile strength.
Tri-Folding Rivet
Aluminum tri-folding rivets are split or slotted body rivets designed for assembling lightweight materials like fiberglass, plastics, thin steel sheets, and composite materials. This rivet forms a propeller-shaped anchor connection on the blind side of the material without damaging it. Tri-folding rivets are installed using the same type of rivet gun that installs all other standard rivets.
Peel Rivet
Peel rivets are also ideal for joining softer materials such as wood, plastic, rubber, fiberglass, and laminates. Upon installation, the rivet body splits into petals that bend outward, similar to peeling a banana. The petals bend out and contact the blind side of the material, creating a large anchor head.
Grooved Rivet
Grooved rivets are designed to be installed within a hole as they infuse themselves into the material, making them ideal for soft materials such as wood, plastics, and other fibrous materials. When set correctly, the annular rings around the body will expand and embed into the surrounding material. This means the rivet does not require an open hole to work as it sets itself within the material.
Structural Rivet. Heavy Duty Rivets
Huck Rivet Magna-Lok. (Monobolt®).
Huck Magna-Lok® is a versatile structural rivet ideal for multiple material grip ranges. This rivet has Huck’s unique internal locking mechanism that provides high resistance to vibration and moisture. Fast and easy to install using conventional Huck brand guns or a structural rivet gun. Aerobolt is Australia's number one Huck distributor with the complete range of structural rivets and structural rivet tools.
Orlock® Rivet. (High Strength Rivets, Orlock® Rivets).
Orlock®, High Strength Rivets, and other standard grip bulb forming rivets like Orlock® rivets feature a double-locking system that secures the material on both sides of the panel for great strength, providing a vibration and weather-resistant joint. It has a non-protruding blind-side bulb that spreads the load while avoiding pull-through. Easy to install via a Huck gun and other structural rivet tools as a standard rivet gun is not built to install structural rivets. This type is also known as Allok® rivet, Hemlok® rivet, or Ornit® rivet.
Bulb-Tite Rivet (Huck-Tite, Tri-Bulb).
These rivets differ from others due to their slot body that creates a propeller-shaped blind-side anchor that combines with a washer to provide a weatherproof joint. Bulb-Tite®, Huck-Tite, and many other tri-folding split-body rivets spread their clamping force through the anchor blades while providing excellent pull-through resistance, making them an ideal choice for lightweight panel applications, humid conditions, or where water might be an issue.
How Do I Select the Right Rivet?
Rivet selection is straightforward. Consider the rivet material, rivet diameter size, and thickness of the material being riveted.
Rivet Material
The rivet is categorized by the material of the body and then the material of the pin. For example, you might see “aluminum/steel,†which means an aluminum body with a steel pin. These fasteners typically come in steel, stainless steel, or aluminum or in combinations of these materials.
Rivet material type provides a good guide to their strength. As a general rule; an aluminum body with an aluminum pin is not very strong; an aluminum body with a steel pin is a little stronger; a steel body with a steel pin is stronger still; and stainless-steel body with either steel or stainless-steel pin are the strongest. Use steel rivets for heavy-duty applications and aluminum rivets for lightweight jobs. Ensure the rivet material is compatible with the material being joined to avoid galvanic corrosion. Avoid using aluminum and stainless steel together; we recommend keeping the material like-for-like for maximum life. Stainless with stainless, aluminum with aluminum, etc. When reviewing material, also consider environmental factors, such as extreme temperatures or salt sprays. See the table below as a general guide.
Pop Rivet Diameter & Hole Size
Rivet diameter selection is guided by the material gauge; for instance, use small diameter rivets with lightweight fascia covers and larger diameter rivets in the fabrication of toolboxes. The larger the diameter, the stronger the rivet, as a general rule, the rivet diameter should be about three times the thickness of the thickest piece of joined material.
Drill hole size is also important. If the rivet’s diameter is too small for its hole, the fastener will fail. Referring to the hole diameters before drilling is an easy way to avoid issues later.
Refer to the table below covering diameters and corresponding hole sizes.
Rivet Material Grip Range
The material grip range refers to the material thickness or the depth the rivet can be effectively installed. For example, if two 1.5 mm plates/items need to be riveted, a blind rivet with a material grip range between 2-5 mm is required. Best practice means that the middle grip range of a rivet should be what you aim for, then minimum followed by the maximum. This assists in achieving correct shear and tensile strength while ensuring the longevity of the rivet. Note that the grip range is not the length of the rivet, as many people mistakenly believe the length is the amount of material the rivet will pull up.
WARNING: If you are below the minimum grip range, the rivet will be loose, and if you are over the maximum, the rivet may not set correctly. Either way, the joint will be compromised.
Listed below we have a table listing standard blind rivet material grip ranges and their corresponding grip code.
Rivet Head Type
The rivet head helps hold the material together and enhances its appearance. A dome head is shaped like a small part of a ball that sits prominently above the material, while the large flange or truss head is a shallower broader profile. The large flange or truss head has double the bearing area of the dome head, making it ideal when fastening rubber, plastics, or fiberglass as the head has greater coverage. The countersunk option provides a flush neat finish, subject to countersinking a hole first, allowing the head to sit level with the surrounding material. The image below covers the typical head types plus a few specialized rivet type profiles.
Pop Rivet vs Blind Rivet
This is a common customer inquiry. The answer is simple: there is no difference between a pop rivet and a blind rivet. These are different terms for the same item. A blind rivet means you do not need access to the other side of the material, or you can't see the other side of the material. Also known as pop rivets because this is the name of the original rivet company—Pop® and this is the sound rivets make upon installation.
Frequently Asked Pop Rivet Questions
How Do I Order Rivets?
There are number of different types of rivet code formats. At Aerobolt, we use the same product code as Marson® Rivets, a division of Howmet Aerospace. Rivet code begins with the "body material," followed by the "head type," "body diameter" dash, and then "grip range" (both of which are representative numbers, rather than actual measurements). The code concludes with the pin material.
In the above product code example (in the red box), beginning from left to right we have:
A = Aluminum body material. Other options include (S = Steel, SS = Stainless, etc.).
B = Button / Dome Head. Or you can select (T/LF = Truss/Large Flange, C = Countersunk).
6 = 4.8mm (3/16") body diameter. Other options are; 4 = 3.2mm (1/8"), 5 = 4.0mm (5/32"), 8 = 6.4mm (1/4").
6 = 7.9 - 9.5mm this is the material grip range. See grip codes number table in previous section.
S = Steel pin/mandrel material. The other options are (SS = Stainless, A = Aluminum, etc.).
How Do I Remove a Pop Rivet?
Rivet removal is straightforward with the right tools. This requires the destruction of the rivet, and the best method is to drill it. You will need a drill, drill bit, long-nose pliers, and safety accessories such as glasses and gloves.
Steps: Use your safety glasses and gloves before starting the drilling process. Place the drill bit against the rivet's center pin and drill through the body at a low but steady speed. Once drilling is completed, pull the rivet off with your long-nose pliers. How easy was that!
How Do I Install a Rivet?
To install a rivet is simple with practice, pre-drilling of holes is required. Load rivet’s pin tail section into rivet gun. Insert rivet’s body into hole and activate gun. Upon activation the head of the rivet is pushed against the outer surface of the tool, while the tool pulls up the central pin. As a result, the bottom portion of the rivet compresses and expands on the blind side. This expansion increases until it reaches approximately one and a half times the size of the original diameter, resulting in a larger surface in which the two materials are effectively fastened together.
How Does a Pop Rivet Work?
How rivets work is ingenious. Essentially, a rivet is composed of two components, a metal tube (body) and a pin (mandrel). The pin is normally longer than the tube and designed to be pulled up through the tube while enlarging it in the process. This results in the expanded tube clamping the material between the two ends of the tube. See the image below to better understand how a rivet works.
Which Is the Best Rivet Gun?
Selecting the correct rivet gun depends on several factors that relate to your specific requirements. The rivet gun section is covered in the blog; Ultimate Guide to Rivet Guns.
Which Is the Strongest Rivet?
Structural blind rivets are the strongest option on the market due to the unique combination of internal pin retention and locking mechanism that creates their inner strength. Aerobolt has the complete Huck Structural Rivet range, including the original multi-grip rivet "Magna-Lok," the Huck Rivet "Magna-Bulb" with its superior installation values, and the hybrid of the two "Hucklok Rivet." The strongest structural rivet option is the Huck Rivet "Magna-Bulb." Refer to the table below to compare a range of structural rivet test lab results.
Can I Get Colored Pop Rivets?
Yes, painted rivets are available. They cost a little extra compared to the mill (raw) finish and are available in a wide range of colors. Refer to the Colorbond® color chart for your selection.
When Is It Better to Use a Rivet Rather Than a Bolt and Nut?
Bolts and nuts offer a useful combination of strength and convenience and are an ideal solution in static applications where movement is minimal. The disadvantage of these fasteners is their poor resistance to vibration, meaning over time they will loosen and lose their grip. Huck bolts and Huck's structural rivets overcome this issue, so in this instance, the right answer is in the application.
Who Invented the Pop Rivet?
In 1934, the George Tucker Eyelet Company was approached by an aircraft manufacturer to develop a fastener that could be set from just one side of the material. This led to the world-famous POP® rivet—named for the "popping" sound it makes during installation. Pop® is now owned by Stanley Black & Decker.
Why Are Rivets Used on Airplanes?
Rivets are preferred for the construction of airplanes because they can withstand extreme stress. They are said to withstand extreme stress without breaking and hardly succumb to damage. They are used in aerospace manufacturing because it simplifies both production and maintenance. Another reason why rivets are used is that the aluminum materials used are intolerant to heat.
Can You Assist Me With Rivet Selection?
Sure, the Aerobolt team can assist with rivet selection and so much more. We are one of Sydney's leading rivet suppliers with a comprehensive range of general rivets plus industrial-strength structural rivets and a wide range of rivet guns. You can reach out to us by either telephoning us on 02 9755 3747 or emailing us via the contact us page.
Do You Deliver Rivets Throughout Australia?
Yes, we can deliver Australia-wide through our network of courier companies. In Sydney, we offer our customers same-day delivery if you order before 10:00 am or next-day delivery. Deliveries to regional New South Wales or major Australian cities such as Melbourne, Brisbane, including regional South Eastern Australia are either next-day delivery or a two-day turnaround.
Rivet Supplies Summary
Rivets offer superior fastening capabilities for both heavy-duty and light fabrication applications. They are found in the metal roofing and guttering that protect our homes, to the air conditioners that make us more comfortable, to the cars we drive, the planes we fly, and the ships we sail. Wherever there is a construction site or a fabrication workshop, there is bound to be a rivet in use.
At the conclusion of this blog, it is evident that rivets are an important option in numerous building and manufacturing sectors. Regardless of the rivet type or rivet label required for your project, be assured with a bit of planning your project will end up as a successful one. Here at Aerobolt, we have a comprehensive range of rivet products and can assist in your application, simply call us on 02 9755 3747 or contact us for all your riveting requirements.
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