Solid Rivets

A solid rivet has a manufactured head on one end and a solid shank on the other end. The shank of the rivet can be produced with a straight cut-off or a chamfered cut-off end. A die point can be manufactured into the shank end to aid alignment during assembly. Common head styles are oval, truss, round, button, universal, pan, countersunk and flat.

Solid rivets are the strongest rivets used in fastened joints. Secondary heat treatment (anneal) to the rivet can make the rivet more ductile prior to clinching in certain applications. Rivets can be hardened for some applications to improve strength and durability. Rivet plating and coating options are selected dependent on the application. Many solid rivets are ordered with a plain finish as they are painted after assembly.

Common materials used for solid rivets:

• Steel
• Stainless steel
• Aluminum
• Brass
• Copper

To fasten the rivet, the end of the shank is impacted, pressed or spun after the rivet has been inserted into a work-piece. A solid head is formed (upset) to create the clinched head of the rivet. When impact or press clinched, the force required to form the clinched head of the rivet swells the entire shank of the rivet to completely fill the work-piece hole. Swelling of the shank occurs most by the clinched head end of the rivet. Spun/orbital/radial rivet clinches require less tonnage to form than impact or pressed rivets; therefore, do not have the same shank swelling capability. Pre-punched or drilled work-piece holes are required for use on most solid rivet applications.