Szegecsek

Szegecsek are a class of permanent mechanical fasteners used to join two or more parts, typically metal plates, by forming a rivet head on one side and deforming the opposite end to create a second head. They provide a strong, load-distributing joint without relying on threading or heat-based processes.

Historically, rivets have been used since ancient times in ships, bridges, and various metal structures. The development of more specialized rivet types in the 19th and 20th centuries, including galvanized and stainless varieties, expanded their applications in construction, aerospace, and heavy industry. Today, szegecsek come in several families designed for different installation methods, environments, and materials.

Common types include solid rivets, semi-tubular rivets, and blind rivets (pop rivets). Solid rivets are driven from one side and bucked from the other, creating a secure joint. Blind rivets can be installed from one side only, using a specialized tool and a bucking mandrel, which makes them suitable when access to the opposite side is limited. Drive rivets and countersunk variants offer flush finishes in specific design contexts.

Materials used for szegecsek range from steel and stainless steel to aluminum, copper, and titanium, selected for strength, corrosion resistance, and weight considerations. The choice of material and rivet type depends on the materials being joined, the load conditions, and environmental factors.

In modern practice, szegecsek are common in aerospace, automotive, shipbuilding, architectural metalwork, and general fabrication. While alternative joining methods exist, rivets provide durable joints that can accommodate dissimilar metals and favorable fatigue characteristics in many applications.