Threaded rivets (Figure 3 labeled E) are blind rivets with internally threaded, hollow shafts. These types of rivets help create a gas/water-tight joint. SPRs are cold-forged in a semi-tubular shape, and the end geometry has a groove that aids the rivet in piercing the material to be joined. Self-piercing rivets, or SPRs, (Figure 3 labeled D), do not need pre-punched holes, unlike other rivet types. Friction lock rivetĪlso known as a self-plugging rivet, friction lock rivets (Figure 3 labeled C) are a type of blind rivet which use the internal pressure of a stem that is drawn through a hollow sleeve which expands the shaft and uses pressure within the shaft to join materials and plug the hole behind it. The mandrel snaps off at a ‘necked’ point where the mandrel is weakest, leaving it more or less flush with the head of the rivet. The mandrel deforms the rivet’s body and allows the riveter to fasten the materials with access to only one side of the surface. They are also known as ‘pop rivets’ and use a rivet gun to pull a mandrel through the hollow shaft of the rivet after being inserted through the hole joining two surfaces. Blind rivet (pop rivet)īlind rivets (Figure 1) are suitable when one side of the joint cannot be seen or accessed. Split rivets are commonly used in basic repair works at home, and they are not used in critical applications.

The rivet has a sharp end, and the added surface area keeps the rivet from pulling back through softer materials such as leather, wood, and plastic. Split rivetĪ split rivet (Figure 3 labeled B) has a divided shaft to create more surface area after it has been passed through the joint. The tail of a solid rivet is deformed using a rivet gun or hammer to keep it in place. Solid rivetĪ solid rivet (Figure 3 labeled A) consists of a solid shaft with a head at one end. Here are some of the different kinds of rivets and how they work. Different types of rivetsĪ large variety of rivets is available due to the many different materials that need joining. But, contrary to welded connections, rivets resist vibrations and secure joints better.įigure 2: Using a rivet gun for riveting aluminum parts together. Rivets are designed for permanent joints similar to welding or structural adhesives. The rivet shaft prevents any radial movements. The permanently formed heads at both ends prevent the rivet from detaching from the drilled hole. The original head of the rivet is called the ‘factory head,’ and the deformed end is called the ‘buck-tail.’Ī rivet can support tension on each end of the structure. The deformation smashes the tail, making it flatter, resulting in a dumbbell-shaped rivet. The tail then expands to around 1.5 times the original diameter of the shaft, holding the rivet in place between both materials. The tail is then upset or bucked (deformed) by mechanical force using a hammer or rivet gun. The rivet is inserted between both holes.

How do rivets work?įirst, a hole is drilled or punched in the materials to be connected. The mandrel allows the riveter to deform the tail of the rivet without striking it directly. The shafts are hollow with another internal piece called a mandrel.

Rivets are used to join large structural pieces and small electronic assemblies. The tapered end of the shaft is called the rivet’s tail. A rivet consists of a head at one end and a cylindrical body at the other end, called its shaft. View our online selection of pneumatic rivet guns!Ī rivet is a popular mechanical fastener to join two or more materials.

Milwaukee self piercing rivet gun