What are rivets and riveting?

Rivets refer to mechanical fasteners widely used in different industries to join two plates of steel, aluminium, or copper. They have a smooth cylindrical body with a head and a tail at both ends. A rivet is placed inside a pre-drilled hole, with the tail set using a riveting tool, expanding and fastening the rivet in place. Riveting is primarily used in applications where strong fixing is required, and where failure due to loosening must be avoided.

Types of rivets and riveting

There are different types of rivets available in the market. Each type of rivet has different shapes, comes in different sizes, and has different riveting functions. Some of the more common types of rivets include:

• Blind rivets: Also called drive rivets, blind rivets possess a mandrel along their centre. They can be installed from one side and offer a suitable option for fastening metal plates where access to both sides is limited.
• Tubular rivets: These types of rivets have a characteristic shank hole along their shaft. Tubular rivets come in different varieties of head styles, including flat, oval, button, and countersunk.
• Snap rivets: These are pre-assembled rivets that need to be pushed in the drilled hole and are ideal for faster and neater riveting.
• Solid rivets: These types of rivets are powerful fasteners that can handle severe conditions. Also called the original rivet, they are water-resistant, have minimum vibration, and are immune to tampering.
• Rivet nuts: These are used for seamless and strong permanent riveting in fragile metal sheets. 

Importance of rivets and riveting

Rivets & riveting offers impeccable fasteners & fixings solutions. They can be used quite flexibly across different industrial applications and can effortlessly uphold fragile connections. This makes them ideal for both light and heavy-duty applications, including:

• Fine metalwork
• Building and construction
• Transportation & infrastructure
• Aviation & automotive
• Woodworking & decorative