riveting

Riveting is a permanent mechanical fastening process in which a rivet—a short cylindrical shaft with a head on one end—is placed through aligned holes in two pieces of material and the tail is deformed to form a second head, creating a strong, lasting joint. Riveted connections are valued for their simplicity and their ability to join materials without heat.

Rivet types include solid rivets, blind rivets (pop rivets), and semi-tubular or tubular variants. Solid rivets require access to both sides for setting; blind rivets are installed from one side using a tool that pulls a mandrel to flare the body.

Materials range from steel and aluminum to copper and titanium, chosen for strength, corrosion resistance, and weight. Installation involves drilling holes, inserting the rivet, and deforming the tail with a hammer, rivet gun, or bucking bar for solid rivets or a mandrel tool for blind rivets. Proper setting yields a formed head and a flush or slightly domed surface.

Applications include aerospace, ships, bridges, autos, and building construction. Advantages include fast assembly, no welding heat-affected zone, and the ability to join dissimilar metals; limitations include the need for access on at least one side (or both sides for solid rivets), potential for fatigue at the joint, and the permanence of the connection. Standards are provided by organizations such as ISO, ASTM, and SAE.