Looking for a reliable rivet supplier? Choosing the right rivet can make a significant difference in ensuring your products are user-friendly and durable. Whether you're working on constructing motor bodies, installing security fences, or handling any other projects, sourcing rivets from a specialist fastening company that truly understands rivets and their functionality is essential. For quick and efficient rivet selection, we’ve made it easier with an all-in-one link located on the top menu bar of our website. Rivet Dept is your go-to destination for everything related to rivets, from rivet tools to rivet articles. We cover a wide range of rivets, from the versatile multi-grip rivets to the specialized tri-fold rivets, and even heavy-duty industrial-strength Huck rivets. So, for all your riveting needs—from selecting the right type of rivet to availing rivet testing services—Rivet Dept is the only place you’ll ever need.
Before we dive deeper into this article, let’s revisit 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 is designed to be pulled through the tube during installation, expanding it in the process. As the body expands, it secures the material between the two ends. The pin breaks off at a predetermined point, dropping away. The key advantage of a rivet lies in its ease of use, durability, and affordability. Rivets work exceptionally well for joining various materials, including thin sheet metals, composites, and more.
Here are some of the standout benefits of using rivets:
- One-sided assembly makes installation faster since there’s no need for access to the rear.
- Highly resilient, forming a permanent and mechanically activated joint.
- Easy to operate with air, cordless, or manual rivet tools that require minimal effort and training.
- Design flexibility with a wide variety of types and materials to fit most applications.
- Simple inspection and maintenance without the need for expensive quality control equipment.
Now, let’s explore the main types of rivets. In this article, we'll focus primarily on blind rivets, which are the most commonly used. However, there are other types like semi-tubular, split rivets, and solid rivets. Your rivet selection should depend on the specific application you're working on, whether it’s lightweight guttering or heavy-duty truck fabrication. There are numerous terms for the same rivet type, and we’ve included the different descriptions in the titles for clarity.
**General Rivet Types**
**Open-End Rivet (Pop Rivet or Blind Rivet)**
Open-end rivets, also known as blind rivets, have a hollow body. This is the most common and least expensive type of rivet. Available in a variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, all steel, all aluminum, stainless steel, and combinations thereof. This rivet also offers the widest range of head styles, such as dome head, truss, or large flange and countersunk heads.
**Closed-End Rivets (Sealed Rivets)**
Closed-end rivets, or sealed rivets, feature a cup-shaped end that prevents water ingress from inside the body of the rivet but not between the outside of the body and the material. Many customers assume these rivets are 100% waterproof, but this isn’t entirely accurate. Compared to open-end rivets of the same size and material, closed-end rivets provide better shear and tensile strength.
**Multi-Grip Rivet**
Multi-grip rivets are a robust and flexible option due to their extensive material grip range. These rivets are our strongest standard choice, and many find that one multi-grip rivet can replace multiple sizes of open-end rivets, reducing costs and minimizing operator errors. Compared to open-end rivets of the same size and material, multi-grip rivets offer greater shear and tensile strength.
**Tri-Folding Rivet**
Aluminum tri-folding rivets are split or slotted body rivets designed for the assembly of lightweight materials such as fiberglass, plastics, thin steel sheets, and composite materials. This rivet forms a propeller-like anchor connection on the blind side of the material without causing damage. Tri-folding rivets are installed using the same type of rivet gun as standard rivets.
**Peel Rivet**
Peel rivets are ideal for joining softer materials such as wood, plastic, rubber, fiberglass, and laminates. During installation, the rivet body splits into petals that bend outward, similar to peeling a banana. The petals bend outward 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 perfect for soft materials like wood, plastics, and other fibrous materials. When set correctly, the annular rings around the body expand and embed into the surrounding material, eliminating the need for an open hole.
**Structural Rivets (Heavy-Duty Rivets)**
**Huck Rivet Magna-Lok (Monobolt®)**
Huck Magna-Lok® is a versatile structural rivet ideal for multiple material grip ranges. It features Huck’s unique internal locking mechanism that provides high resistance to vibration and moisture. Installation is fast and easy using conventional Huck brand guns or structural rivet guns. Aerobolt is Australia’s top distributor of Huck products, offering the complete range of structural rivets and 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. Installation is straightforward using a Huck gun or other structural rivet tools, as standard rivet guns are not designed for 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 shape blind-side anchor combined 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 ideal for lightweight panel applications, humid conditions, or where water might be an issue.
**How Do I Select the Right Rivet?**
Selecting the right rivet is straightforward. Consider the rivet material, diameter, and the thickness of the materials being joined.
**Rivet Material**
Rivets are categorized by the material of the body and the pin. For instance, “aluminum/steel†means an aluminum body with a steel pin. These fasteners typically come in steel, stainless steel, or aluminum, or combinations thereof. The strength of a rivet is generally proportional to its material type: aluminum/aluminum is not very strong; aluminum/steel is stronger; steel/steel is stronger still; and stainless steel pins are the strongest. Use steel rivets for heavy-duty applications and aluminum rivets for lighter tasks. Ensure the rivet material is compatible with the materials being joined to prevent galvanic corrosion.
**Rivet Diameter & Hole Size**
The diameter of a rivet should match the material gauge; smaller rivets for lightweight covers and larger ones for toolboxes. As a rule, the rivet diameter should be about three times the thickness of the thickest joined material. Drill hole size is equally important; if the rivet diameter is too small, it will fail. Always refer to the hole diameters before drilling to avoid future issues.
**Rivet Material Grip Range**
The material grip range refers to the thickness or depth the rivet can be effectively installed. For example, if two 1.5 mm plates are to be riveted, a blind rivet with a material grip range between 2-5 mm is required. Best practice suggests aiming for the middle grip range, followed by the minimum and maximum. This ensures proper shear and tensile strength while prolonging the rivet's lifespan. Note that the grip range is not the rivet's length, as many mistakenly believe.
**Rivet Head Type**
The rivet head helps hold materials together and improves appearance. Dome heads sit prominently above the material, while large flange or truss heads have a broader profile. Large flange or truss heads have double the bearing area of dome heads, making them ideal for fastening rubber, plastics, or fiberglass. Countersunk heads provide a flush finish when countersunk holes are used. The image below shows typical head types and specialized rivet profiles.
**Pop Rivet vs Blind Rivet**
A common question is whether there’s a difference between pop rivets and blind rivets. There isn’t. These are different terms for the same item. A blind rivet means you don’t need access to the other side of the material, and the term “pop†comes from the sound the rivet makes during installation.
**Frequently Asked Questions**
**How Do I Order Rivets?**
Rivet codes vary depending on the manufacturer. At Aerobolt, we follow the same product code as Marson® Rivets, a division of Howmet Aerospace. The code begins with the body material, followed by the head type, body diameter, dash, and grip range, concluding with the pin material.
**How Do I Remove a Pop Rivet?**
Removing a rivet is straightforward with the right tools. Drilling is the best method. You’ll need a drill, drill bit, long-nose pliers, and safety gear. Start by drilling the center pin, then pull the rivet off with pliers.
**How Do I Install a Rivet?**
Installing a rivet is simple with practice. Pre-drilling is necessary. Load the pin tail into the rivet gun, insert the rivet body into the hole, and activate the gun. The head pushes against the tool while pulling up the pin, compressing the rivet and expanding it on the blind side.
**How Does a Pop Rivet Work?**
Rivets work ingeniously. Composed of a metal tube (body) and pin (mandrel), the pin is longer than the tube and is pulled through it during installation, expanding it. This expands the tube, clamping the material between the two ends.
**Which Is the Best Rivet Gun?**
Choosing the right rivet gun depends on your specific needs. More details are available in our Ultimate Guide to Rivet Guns.
**Which Is the Strongest Rivet?**
Structural blind rivets are the strongest on the market due to their internal pin retention and locking mechanisms. Aerobolt offers the complete Huck Structural Rivet range, including Magna-Lok, Magna-Bulb, and Hucklok rivets. The strongest is the Magna-Bulb rivet.
**Can I Get Colored Pop Rivets?**
Yes, painted rivets are available in various colors, costing slightly more than mill-finished rivets.
**When Is It Better to Use a Rivet Rather Than a Bolt and Nut?**
Bolts and nuts are ideal for static applications but lack resistance to vibration. Huck bolts and structural rivets overcome this issue.
**Who Invented the Pop Rivet?**
The POP® rivet was invented in 1934 by the George Tucker Eyelet Company.
**Why Are Rivets Used on Airplanes?**
Rivets are preferred for airplane construction due to their ability to withstand extreme stress and resistance to damage.
**Can You Assist Me With Rivet Selection?**
Absolutely. Our team can help with rivet selection and more. Contact us at 02 9755 3747 or via our contact page.
**Do You Deliver Rivets Throughout Australia?**
Yes, we deliver nationwide through courier networks. In Sydney, orders placed before 10:00 AM receive same-day delivery.
**Rivet Supplies Summary**
Rivets are vital in construction and manufacturing, from roofing to aerospace. At Aerobolt, we offer a comprehensive range of rivets and can assist with your applications. Call us at 02 9755 3747 or contact us for all your riveting needs.
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