Types and uses of Rivets

The rivet, also known by the name of rivet or pop rivet, is a fixing element whose function is, like the screw, to join two pieces permanently. It is a mechanical seal that is made up of a cylindrical tube that has a head in its lower part whose diameter is greater than the rest of the tube. rivet so that when inserted into a hole it can fit, in order to join two different pieces, whether or not they are of the same material. Currently, its use is of vital importance as an assembly technique due, in part, to the development of automation techniques that manage to make the joining process cheaper.

Parts of a rivet or rivet

• Cylindrical-shaped body called cane, stem or spike.
• Head in the form of a spherical cap and whose diameter is greater than the body of the rivet.

Types of rivets or rivets

• rivets Of compression.
• rivets blind that can be: with stretching mandrel, with guided pin, threaded and those that are chemically expanded.
• punch rivets, which a hammer is used for installation.

The rivet or rivet It is used to join two or more pieces in a fixed and permanent way, even made of different materials. The fields in which the most used riveted as fixing method are: automotive, household appliances, furniture, hardware, military industry, laminated metals, etc.

How is a rivet or rivet used?

For the placement of the rivets first a hole is made or a perforator or also known as a drill, which is a device used to make a hole and then the cylindrical body must be inserted into the hole. This must have the appropriate dimensions so that it protrudes, then deforming the protruding part until it forms a new head. Sometimes the placement of the rivets it is carried out cold for diameters of eight millimeters; and hot for diameters greater than ten millimeters. The proper tool for setting rivets is the riveter.

If you want to use a method for joining one or more pieces, whether or not they are made of the same material, we present the advantages of the rivet compared to other fixing elements such as screws or nails.

• It is considered as a cheap and automatable joining method.
• It is useful for joining different materials as well as for two or more pieces.
• There is a wide variety of models and materials of rivets, which allows more aesthetic finishes than with screwed joints.
• It allows blind joints, that is, the joint when only the external face of one of the pieces is accessible.

Recommendations when using a rivet

• The resistance achievable with a rivet is less than what can be achieved with a screw.
• The joint is not removable, which makes maintenance difficult. Beyond this, removing it is simple (a perforator or drill with a high-speed steel bit or drill must be used, whose outer diameter must be equal to that of the rivet), although once we remove it, we must use a rivet new.
• It is not suitable for thick pieces.
• This accessory is not reusable like the screw. It is only used once.

We must bear in mind that when we want to join two surfaces and we are going to acquire the rivets necessary, the thickness of both surfaces must be taken into account (since depending on the thickness, the rivet head must be longer), the diameter of the hole, and the materials to be joined, since depending on the type of material, they must be use rivets softer or not.