Rivet

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Complex Riveted Joint A103 379-5667

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Round Head Rivet

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Golden Gate Bridge Rivet 1937

Rivet refers to a permanent mechanical fastener. Before being installed, a rivet consists of a smooth cylindrical shaft with a head on one end. The end opposite the head is called the tail. Rivets are used to join two plates of metal or other material together through a pre-drilled hole. They are secured by deforming the tail, which creates a second head at the tail end and clamps the two materials together. Rivets are a very old and reliable technology, having been found in archaeological findings dating back to the Bronze Age.

Types of Rivets

There are several types of rivets, each designed for specific applications, including:

• Solid Rivets: The oldest and simplest type, which is used in situations requiring reliability and safety, such as in the construction of aircraft and bridges.
• Blind Rivets: Also known as pop rivets, these are used when access to the joint is only available from one side. They are commonly used in the construction of aircraft and electronics.
• Semi-tubular Rivets: These have a partially hollow shaft and are used when there's a need for less force to apply them, making them suitable for softer materials.
• Drive Rivets: A type of blind rivet that is hammered in, securing itself.
• Flush Rivets: Also known as countersunk rivets, these are used when a smooth finish is required.

Installation

The installation of a rivet typically involves aligning the materials to be joined, drilling a hole through these materials, inserting the rivet, and then deforming the tail of the rivet. For solid rivets, this is usually done using a hammer or a rivet gun, while blind rivets can be installed with a special tool that pulls the mandrel through the body of the rivet, expanding it and then snapping off the excess mandrel.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Rivets offer several advantages over other types of fasteners, such as screws and bolts. They are very strong, do not require access to both sides of the assembly, and do not loosen over time. However, they also have some disadvantages. They are more permanent and require drilling, which can introduce stress points and weaken the material. Removing rivets can also be difficult and may damage the materials being joined.

Applications

Rivets have a wide range of applications, from the construction of simple household items to critical applications in aerospace and structural engineering. They are particularly valued in situations where reliability and safety are paramount, such as in the construction of aircraft, bridges, and high-pressure vessels.

History

The use of rivets can be traced back to the Bronze Age, making them one of the oldest types of fasteners. They were widely used in the construction of tools, weapons, and armor. With the advent of the Industrial Revolution, rivets became essential in the construction of metal structures, including ships, bridges, and later, aircraft. The development of welding and adhesive bonding has reduced the use of rivets in some applications, but they remain an important and reliable fastening method in many areas.

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