Rivets: The Go-To Fastener With Endless Uses(springs set Hulda)
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So what exactly are rivets and what makes them such a universally relied upon fastener? Rivets are mechanical fasteners that consist of two components - a smooth cylindrical 'shank' that is inserted through the materials being joined, and a 'head' that is forged onto or buckled around the shank on the opposite side to secure it in place. The resulting riveted joint is permanent and incredibly strong due to the mechanical cold forming process.
Rivets come in a vast range of shapes, sizes and materials to accommodate different applications and material types. Let's take a look at some of the most common uses for rivets and where they really shine as a fastening solution.
Aircraft and Aerospace Applications
The aerospace industry is one of the biggest users of rivets. In aircraft construction, rivets are considered superior to other mechanical fasteners due to their vibration resistant properties. The integrity of riveted joints is crucial for structural components like the fuselage and wings, where failure could be catastrophic.
Aluminum and titanium are frequently riveted materials in aircraft assembly. Rivets allow for efficient securing of aluminum sheeting to the aircraft skeleton. Titanium offers increased strength over aluminum, so is ideal for high stress areas like landing gear and engine components. Lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum rivets are the preferred choice for aluminum assemblies, while heavy duty titanium and steel rivets are used in titanium components.
Rivets also facilitate inspection and repairs. Damaged rivets can be easily identified and drilled out for replacement. Aircraft technicians heavily rely on rivets for ongoing maintenance and repairs over the lifespan of an aircraft.
High Strength Structural Applications
Beyond aerospace, rivets deliver high shear strength for joining structural steel components. Steel construction often involves joining thick materials under tension, so high strength structural rivets are required. This includes applications like:
- Steel framed buildings
- Bridges
- Cranes, lifting equipment and overhead rails
- Support structures for heavy machinery
- Structural scaffolds
- Trusses
- Offshore oil platforms
- Transmission towers
- Rail tracks
Structural steel rivets are available with shear strengths up to around 100,000 psi for demanding applications. Stainless steel and carbon steel are common material choices. The rivets have high clamping force to avoid separation under load. Dome head and countersunk head styles allow for flush finishes. Using rivets eliminates the need for welding in the field, which is often subject to weather delays and can affect the integrity of treated steel. The mechanical cold forming of rivets provides consistent results without heat effects.
Marine and Shipbuilding
The extensive use of rivets in boat building and ship construction dates back centuries. Traditional boat building relied on iron and copper rivets to assemble wooden hulls. Today, steel and aluminum boats and ships continue to be constructed with rivets due to their vibration resistance and watertight abilities.
Marine rivets are specially designed to withstand extreme ocean environments. Stainless steel and aluminum rivets provide good corrosion resistance when exposed to saltwater. Monel rivets offer superior corrosion resistance for critical applications. The mechanical grip of the rivet head secures plates firmly to form a water-tight seal around the shank. This prevents leaks as the vessel twists and flexes through the water.
Rivets also allow for easy maintenance and repairs of worn or damaged hull plates over time. Damaged rivets can be drilled out and replaced while a vessel is in service. Riveted construction appeals to shipbuilders because it is relatively fast and eliminates on-site welding.
Automotive Manufacturing
Riveting remains integral to modern automotive manufacturing. While welding dominates automotive assembly, rivets are still widely used to affix metal panels and hardware. The auto industry utilizes blind rivets that can be quickly installed from one side without access behind the joint.
Rivets offer an alternative fastening method to welding for specific auto components. This includes:
- Door skins riveted to the door skeleton for precise alignment and reduced heat distortion.
- Roof panels riveted to the car body for smooth, consistent joints.
- Trunk lids, hoods and liftgates joined with rivets for easy removal and replacement.
- Bumper reinforcements and brackets riveted in place.
- Interior panels, roof liners and other non-structural components.
Blind aluminum and steel rivets provide the ideal balance of strength, precision and efficiency for automotive assembly lines. Riveting also allows manufacturers to control quality better than welding, since every rivet install is consistent. The auto industry makes wide use of self-piercing rivets that pierce through sheet metal and mechanically join in a single action step. Overall, rivets remain integral to automotive manufacturing.
Construction and Building Projects
Rivets continue to assemble all kinds of construction projects and building components. In residential construction, aluminum rivets offer a convenient way to hang gutters, secure flashing, attach siding and external hardware. Pop rivets allow for easy riveting without the need for tools.
Meanwhile, commercial building construction relies on heavy duty structural rivets. This includes:
- Structural steel framing for large commercial buildings.
- Prefabricated roofing and wall panels joined by rows of rivets.
- Metal storage racks rivet assembled for durability.
- Safety railings, ladders and caged structures riveted into place.
- Signs, lighting fixtures and mechanical equipment anchored with rivets.
Rivets also assemble cranes and gantries used during construction projects. Overall, rivets provide a trusted fastening method across nearly any building construction application.
Product and Equipment Manufacturing
Beyond primary construction, rivets play an invaluable role in finished products across countless industries. Any application that requires permanent, reliable fastening is a candidate for riveting. Common examples include:
- Appliances like ovens, dishwashers and refrigerators.
- Electronics cases like computers, tvs, radios.
- Machinery like compressors, pumps and agricultural equipment.
- Medical equipment assemblies.
- Storage tanks, process equipment, HVAC ducting.
- Trailers, carts, racks.
- Motorcycle and bicycle frames.
Product design engineers continue to specify rivets for the strength, durability, vibration resistance and ease of installation they provide during manufacturing. The cold mechanical process also avoids heat distortion issues associated with welding. Riveting allows for efficient joining of metal product components that flows smoothly on production lines.
Maintenance & Repair Applications
One of the prime advantages of rivets is that they allow for non-destructive disassembly. This makes rivets ideal for equipment and products that require periodic maintenance, repair or part replacement.
Examples include:
- Factory equipment like conveyors, presses and CNC machines.
- Infrastructure like pipelines, oil rigs and power transmission towers.
- Rail tracks that need ongoing inspection and part replacement.
- Buses, heavy trucks and trailers that see constant wear and tear.
Damaged or worn out rivets can be drilled out and replaced while equipment remains in service. This facilitates maintenance workflows and avoids costly equipment downtime. The ability to access internal parts by removing rivets is invaluable for maintenance across industrial sectors.
Rivet Innovation Continues
While traditional solid shank rivets are still widely used, new rivet innovations have also emerged. This includes:
- Blind rivets for fast fastening without backside access.
- Self-piercing rivets that pierce and fasten in one step.
- Structural adhesive rivets that bond panels together.
- Large head rivets that spread force over wider areas.
- Colored head rivets for aesthetics and identification.
- Countersunk head rivets for flush finishes.
- Low profile rivets to avoid obstructing moving parts.
- High strength rivets made of advanced alloys.
The rise of robotic automation has also streamlined large-scale riveting operations. Robots can precisely place thousands of rivets in automotive and aerospace assemblies.
While joining technologies continue to emerge, the unique benefits of rivets ensure they remain a trusted fastening solution across innumerable applications. Rivets are here to stay as a core manufacturing component. CNC Milling CNC Machining