What are the different types of solid rivet?

5th March 2020

	What are the different types of solid rivet?


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			Solid rivets consist of a head and a cylindrical body.

			They are manufactured from a variety of metals and several different shapes of head are available, including round, flat, countersunk and pan.

			The types of head can be selected for either aesthetic appeal or functional requirements. Functional requirements can include: Head flushness (whether the head is level or flush [in line] with the surface of the material) Fatigue strength and shear strength Large bearing surface (underside of the head)

			Fatigue strength is how weak the rivet becomes from continuous applied loads.

			Shear strength is how well a rivet stands up to shearing action when the two pieces it’s holding together try to move in different directions.

			Solid rivets are used in a range of industries, including locomotive, aircraft, ship, automotive and boiler manufacturing.

			Flat head solid rivet
			This type of solid rivet comes with a flat head, providing a large bearing surface (underside of the head) which makes it ideal for the riveting thick or very hard materials. Flat head rivets have a high resistance to fatigue.

			Round head solid rivet
			The round head solid rivet contains enough bearing surface (underside of the head) for it to be used to fasten a variety of materials.

			Pan head solid rivet
			This head style comes with a tapered head that forms a flat (pan) top. The pan head rivet has a high resistance to fatigue.

			Countersunk head solid rivet
			Countersunk head solid rivets are ideal for materials that need a flat surface with nothing protruding. The top of the rivet will sit at the same level as the surface as long as the hole drilled is countersunk to the precise depth of the rivet head.

			Solid rivets are recommended to join metal to metal. However, they can be used to join any material you desire. This all depends on the type of material you are joining and whether you are looking for aesthetic appeal. For more information on deciding what rivet to use see Which type of rivet should you choose?

			Each type of rivet normally has excellent shear strength. However, this all depends on the material they are produced from and how well the rivets are installed. The second head needs to be formed properly or this could weaken the joint making it more vulnerable to damage. To find out how to install a solid rivet correctly see How to install a solid rivet?