A snap head rivet, often a solid rivet, is a traditional type of fastener installed by hammering while hot to create a strong, permanent joint on structural items like boilers and ships.
A pop rivet, or blind rivet, is a modern fastener with a mandrel that is pulled by a tool to expand the rivet body, creating a strong bond from one side only before the mandrel breaks off.
Snap Head Rivet
- Type: A solid rivet, meaning it is a one-piece fastener designed to be inserted through holes in materials and then deformed to hold them together.
- Installation: Traditionally, these were large iron rivets that were heated until red hot, then inserted through two materials and hammered over to create the finished, strong joint.
- Application: Used for heavy-duty applications requiring a very strong and permanent connection, such as the structural work in boiler-making, shipbuilding, and bridge construction.
- Finish: Often creates a neat finish by having the head of the rivet deformed to a specific shape (like a round or countersunk head), providing a smooth surface after installation.
Pop Rivet
- Type: A modern "blind rivet" with two parts: a rivet body and a central mandrel.
- Installation: Requires a special rivet gun or tool to pull the mandrel. As the mandrel is pulled, it expands the body of the rivet, clamping the two materials together. The tool then snaps the mandrel off at a predetermined break point.
- Application: Ideal for joining thin materials or situations where there is only access to one side of the workpiece. Common in applications like automotive bodywork, sheet metal fabrication, and DIY projects.
- Finish: Creates a permanent fixture with the mandrel breaking off cleanly after installation.
