The 3 primary types of rivets are Solid Rivets, Blind Rivets, and Tubular Rivets, though other important types include Split Rivets and Self-Piercing Rivets.
Solid rivets are a single piece of material with a head and a tail that is deformed for a high-strength, permanent bond.
Blind rivets, or pop rivets, have a mandrel that allows them to be installed from one side of the material.
Tubular rivets have a hollow shank and are used in lightweight applications where the connection doesn't need extreme strength.
1. Solid Rivets
- Description: These are a single piece of metal with a pre-formed head and a tail.
- How it works: The tail of the rivet is deformed by hammering or a pneumatic tool to permanently secure the parts together.
- Applications: Solid rivets create strong, reliable, and load-bearing connections, suitable for heavy machinery and infrastructure projects.
2. Blind Rivets (Pop Rivets)
- Description: These consist of a tubular body and a central mandrel, or stem.
- How it works: When installed with a special tool, the mandrel is pulled through the rivet, deforming the rivet's tail to create a permanent joint.
- Applications: Designed for situations where only one side of the workpiece is accessible, such as gutter installation.
3. Tubular Rivets
- Description: Similar to solid rivets, but their shank has a hollow end.
- How it works: The hollow tail is splayed or deformed to fasten two components together.
- Applications: Typically used for lightweight applications such as furniture or consumer goods, not suitable for load-bearing structures.
Other Notable Types
- Split Rivets (Bifurcated Rivets): With a shaft split into two legs, these are used for joining softer materials like leather or plastic.
- Self-Piercing Rivets: These pierce through thin materials without the need for a pre-drilled hole, forming a strong, efficient bond.
