How To Choose The Right Rivet For The Application?

Step Rivet selection is easy, you need to consider material, size, and material holding range before making your final selection.

Material

Make sure the rivet material is compatible with the material being joined to avoid galvanic corrosion. As a rule, avoid using both aluminum and stainless steel, we recommend leaving the metal as-is for the longest lifespan. Stainless steel and stainless steel, aluminum and aluminum, etc.

Diameter and aperture

The size of the rivet diameter and drill size is critical to success. If the diameter of the rivet is too small for its hole, the clearance may cause the installation to fail. Referencing the hole diameter before drilling is an easy way to avoid problems later.

The material holds range

The material holding range refers to the thickness or depth of material that the rivet can effectively install. For example, if two 1.5 mm sheets/items need to be riveted, blind rivets with a material holding range of 2-5 mm are required. Best practice dictates that mid-grip range rivets should be used instead of min/max sizes. This helps achieve the correct shear and tensile strength while ensuring the longevity of the rivet. Note that the grip range is not the length of the rivet, as many people mistakenly believe that the length is the amount of material the rivet will pull up.

Head shape

Rivet head types help hold materials together and enhance their appearance. The dome head sits proudly above the material, while the large flange or truss head has a shallower and wider head profile ideal for thin or soft material items like rubber or fiberglass. The countersink option provides a flush clean surface by countersinking first so the head is flush with the surrounding material. The images below cover typical head types as well as some specialized rivet-type profiles.