Looking for a One-Stop Shop for Rivets?
Have you ever faced a production halt due to a shortage of rivets? At Aerobolt, we follow the three Rs in riveting supplies—Reliable, Responsive, and Rapid Delivery. We ensure your orders are handled promptly without the hassle of constant follow-ups. Our trustworthy service acknowledges and processes orders swiftly, and we ship most orders within hours of receiving your purchase order. With extensive inventory and variety, we cater to businesses using Huck rivets, pop rivets, and other structural blind rivets in the manufacture of goods.
Whether you're looking for standard Open-End Rivets or specialized Tri-Fold or Peel rivets, Aerobolt has got you covered. We also supply genuine Huck structural rivets like the ¼†Magna-Lok® rivets and the rare 5/16†countersunk Allok® rivets. As an official Huck distributor, we source directly from the manufacturer. For all your riveting needs, including rivet range, inventory, air rivet guns, manual rivet tools, cordless riveters, and rivet testing services, Aerobolt is your go-to source.
One crucial factor when evaluating any rivet supplier is their ability to fulfill orders for all rivet types and sizes. Whether you need Huck rivets like the Magna-Lok, trust Aerobolt to deliver the genuine article. We are the only award-winning authorized Huck® distributor, serving industries ranging from repairing the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge to truck body manufacturing. In this rivet blog, we’ll provide a beginner’s guide to rivet types, how they work, and more. Let’s start by exploring the benefits of blind rivets.
What Are the Advantages of Blind Rivets?
The primary benefit of a pop rivet lies in its speed, ease of use, and affordability. Pop rivets are effective for joining various materials, including thin sheet metals and composites.
- Quick installation since access to the rear is unnecessary.
- Highly resilient, forming a permanent joint resistant to vibration.
- Easy to use with air, cordless, or manual rivet tools requiring minimal effort and training.
- Design flexibility with a wide range of types and materials suitable for most applications.
- Simple inspection and maintenance without expensive equipment.
What Are the Main Types of Pop Rivets?
Here, we list different subcategories of pop rivets and some specialized industrial-strength structural rivets. While there are other types like semi-tubular and solid rivets, this blog focuses on blind pop rivets, which are the most common type on the market. When selecting a pop rivet, base your decision on the application requirements, whether for lightweight guttering or heavy-duty truck fabrication.
General Purpose Pop Rivet Types:
Open End Pop Rivet (Pop Rivet or Blind Rivet)
Open-end rivets have a hollow body, making them the most common and least expensive. Available in various materials such as steel, aluminum, stainless steel, and combinations thereof. They also offer the widest range of head styles, including dome head, truss, large flange, and countersunk.
Sealed Rivets (Closed End Rivets)
Sealed or closed-end rivets have a cup-shaped end that prevents water ingress inside the body but not between the body and the material. Many customers mistakenly believe these are fully waterproof, but this isn't entirely true. Closed-end rivets provide better shear and tensile strength compared to open-end rivets of the same size and material.
Multi-Grip Rivet
Multi-Grip rivets are strong and versatile, offering an extended material grip range. This rivet reduces the need for multiple sizes, minimizing costs and operator errors. Compared to open-end rivets of the same size and material, Multi-Grip rivets provide greater shear and tensile strength.
Tri-Fold Rivet
Aluminum tri-fold rivets are split or slotted body rivets designed for lightweight materials like fiberglass, plastics, thin steel sheets, and composites. They form a propeller-like anchor connection on the blind side without damaging the material.
Peel Rivet
Peel rivets are ideal for softer materials like wood, plastic, rubber, fiberglass, and laminates. Upon installation, the rivet body splits into petals that bend outward, resembling peeling a banana. The petals bend out and contact the blind side of the material, creating a large anchor head.
Groove Rivet
Groove rivets are designed to be installed within a hole, embedding themselves into the material, making them ideal for soft materials like wood, plastics, and other fibrous materials. When set correctly, the annular rings around the body expand and embed into the surrounding material, eliminating the need for an open hole.
Structural Pop Rivet. Heavy Duty Rivets.
Huck Rivet MagnaLok
Huck Magna-Lok® is a versatile structural rivet suitable for multiple material grip ranges. Its unique internal locking mechanism provides high resistance to vibration and moisture. Easily installed using conventional Huck brand guns or structural rivet guns. Aerobolt is Australia's leading Huck distributor, offering the full range of structural rivets and tools.
Allok® Rivet (High Strength Rivets, Orlock® Rivets)
Orlock®, High Strength Rivets, and other standard material grip range bulb-forming rivets feature a double-locking system securing the material on both sides of the panel for great strength. They provide a vibration and weather-resistant joint with a non-protruding blind-side bulb spreading the load while avoiding pull-through. Installed via a Huck gun or other structural rivet tools, as standard rivet guns cannot handle structural rivets.
Bulb-Tite® Rivet (Huck-Tite, Tri-Bulb)
These rivets differ due to their slot body forming a propeller-like blind-side anchor combined with a washer for a weatherproof joint. Bulb-Tite®, Huck-Tite, and other tri-folding split-body rivets spread their clamping force through the anchor blades, providing excellent pull-through resistance, making them ideal for lightweight panel applications, humid conditions, or where water is a concern.
How Do I Select the Right Pop Rivet?
Selecting the right rivet involves considering the rivet material, diameter size, and the thickness of the material being joined.
Pop Rivet Material
Rivets are categorized by the body material and pin material. For instance, "aluminum/steel" means an aluminum body with a steel pin. These fasteners typically come in steel, stainless steel, or aluminum, or combinations thereof.
Material type provides a good guide to strength. Generally, aluminum body with aluminum pin is not very strong; aluminum body with steel pin is stronger; steel body with steel pin is stronger still; and stainless steel body with either steel or stainless steel pin is the strongest. Use steel rivets for heavy-duty applications and aluminum rivets for lighter jobs.
Ensure compatibility between rivet and joined material to avoid galvanic corrosion. Avoid combining aluminum and stainless steel; keep metal types similar for maximum lifespan. Refer to the compatibility table below.
Pop Rivet Diameter & Hole Size
Selecting rivet diameter depends on material gauge. Use smaller rivets for lightweight work and larger ones for heavy-duty applications. Generally, rivet diameter should be about three times the thickness of the thickest piece of joined material.
Drill hole size is critical. Too small a diameter for the hole will cause the fastener to fail to clamp the material. Checking hole diameters before drilling avoids future issues.
Refer to the table below for diameters and corresponding hole sizes.
Pop Rivet's Material Grip Range
Material grip range refers to the thickness or depth the rivet can be effectively installed. For example, riveting two 1.5 mm plates requires a blind rivet with a material grip range between 2-5 mm. Best practice suggests aiming for the middle grip range, followed by the minimum and maximum ranges. Middle assists in achieving correct shear and tensile strength while ensuring rivet longevity.
Below is a table listing standard blind rivet material grip ranges and their corresponding grip codes.
Pop Rivet Head Type
Rivet head holds materials together and enhances appearance. Dome heads resemble a small portion of a ball, while large flange or truss heads have a shallower, broader profile. Large flange or truss heads have double the bearing area of dome heads, making them ideal for fastening rubber, plastics, or fiberglass. Countersunk options provide a flush, neat finish if countersinking a hole first.
Pop Rivet Versus Blind Rivet
A common customer query is the difference between Pop® rivet, pop rivet, and blind rivet. The answer is there’s little difference; these are different labels for the same item. A blind rivet means no access to the other side of the material or you can't see the other side. Known as pop rivets because of the original rivet company name, Pop®, and the sound made during installation.
FAQ. Frequently Asked Pop Rivet Questions.
How Do I Order Pop Rivets?
There are various rivet code formats. Aerobolt uses the same product code as Marson® Rivets, a division of Howmet Aerospace. Codes begin with body material, followed by head type, body diameter, dash, grip range (representative numbers), and pin material.
In the example above, starting from left to right:
A = Aluminum body material; other options include S = Steel, SS = Stainless, etc.
B = Button/Dome Head; other options include T/LF = Truss/Large Flange, C = Countersunk
6 = 4.8mm (3/16") body diameter; other options are 4 = 3.2mm (1/8"), 5 = 4.0mm (5/32"), 8 = 6.4mm (1/4").
6 = 7.9 - 9.5mm, material grip range; see grip codes table earlier.
S = Steel pin/mandrel material; other options include SS = Stainless, A = Aluminum, etc.
How Do I Remove a Pop Rivet?
Removing a rivet is straightforward with the right tools. Destruction of the rivet is necessary, and drilling is the best method. Required tools include a drill, drill bit, long-nose pliers, and safety gear like glasses and gloves.
Steps: Wear safety glasses and gloves before drilling. Place the drill bit against the rivet's center pin and drill through the body at a low but steady speed. After drilling, pull the rivet off with long-nose pliers. Easy!
How Do I Install a Pop Rivet?
Installing a rivet is simple with practice. Pre-drilling of holes is required. Load the rivet’s pin tail section into the rivet gun. Insert the rivet body into the hole and activate the gun. Upon activation, the head of the rivet pushes against the outer surface of the tool, pulling up the central pin. The bottom portion of the rivet compresses and expands on the blind side. Expansion increases until it reaches approximately one and a half times the original diameter, resulting in a larger surface area to effectively fasten the two materials.
How Does a Pop Rivet Work?
Rivets work ingeniously. Essentially, a rivet consists of two components: a metal tube (body) and a pin (mandrel). The pin is longer than the tube and designed to be pulled up through the tube while enlarging it. This results in the expanded tube clamping the material between the two ends of the tube. Refer to the image below for a better understanding.
Which Is the Strongest Rivet?
Structural blind rivets are the strongest option on the market due to their unique combination of internal pin retention and locking mechanisms. Aerobolt offers the complete Huck Structural Rivet range, including the original multi-grip rivet "Magna-Lok," the superior "Magna-Bulb," and the hybrid "Hucklok Rivet." The strongest structural rivet option is the "Magna-Bulb." Refer to the table below for a comparison of structural rivet results.
Can I Get Colored Pop Rivets?
Yes, painted rivets are available. They cost slightly more than mill (raw) finish and come in a wide range of colors. Refer to the Colorbond® color chart for your selection.
Why Have My Pop Rivets Failed?
Several reasons could cause rivet failure, such as a faulty rivet from an unreliable supplier or an installation issue. We offer a wide range of technical services, including rivet test lab services. We’ve partnered with a NATA-approved lab for laboratory rivet testing services. If you experience a rivet failure, let us know the rivet label, size, and material depth so we can review your application or send your rivets to the NATA-approved lab for testing.
When Is It Better to Use a Rivet Rather Than a Bolt and Nut?
Bolts and nuts offer a useful combination of strength and convenience, ideal for static applications where movement is minimal. However, they have poor resistance to vibration, causing them to loosen over time. Huck bolts and structural rivets have solved the loosening issue, so the right answer depends on the application.
Who Invented the Pop Rivet?
In 1934, the George Tucker Eyelet Co. was tasked by an aircraft manufacturer to develop a fastener that could be set from one side of the material. This led to the world-famous POP® rivet, named for the "popping" sound it makes during installation, now owned by Stanley Black & Decker.
What's the Difference Between a Pop Rivet and a Blind Rivet?
This is a common question. The short answer is there’s no difference. Pop® rivets, pop rivets, and blind rivets are different labels for the same item. A blind rivet means you don’t need access to the other side of the material or can't see it. Also known as pop rivets because of the original rivet company name, Pop®, and the sound they make when installed.
Why Are Rivets Used on Airplanes?
Rivets are preferred for airplane construction due to their ability to withstand extreme stress. They resist breaking under extreme stress and rarely succumb to damage. Used in aerospace manufacturing for simplicity in production and maintenance. Additionally, aluminum materials used are intolerant to heat.
Can You Assist Me with Pop Rivet Selection?
Of course, the Aerobolt team can assist with rivet selection and much more. As one of Sydney's leading rivet suppliers, we offer a comprehensive range of general rivets and industrial-strength structural rivets along with a wide range of rivet guns. Reach out to us by calling 02 9755 3747 or email via the contact us page.
Do You Deliver Pop Rivets Throughout Australia?
Yes, we can deliver nationwide through our network of courier companies. In Sydney, we offer same-day delivery if you order before 10:00 AM or next-day delivery. Regional New South Wales and major cities like Melbourne, Brisbane, and regional Southeastern Australia receive next-day or two-day delivery.
Pop Rivet Summary.
Rivets offer excellent fastening capabilities for both heavy-duty and light fabrication applications. From metal roofing to air conditioners, cars, planes, and ships, rivets are indispensable in construction and manufacturing. At Aerobolt, we have a comprehensive range of rivet products and can assist with your application. Call us on 02 9755 3747 or contact us for all your riveting needs.
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