What Exactly is a Rivet?

A rivet is a mechanical, permanent fastener. Prior to installation, a rivet consists of a polished cylindrical shaft with a head at one end. The opposite of the cranium is the tail.

When the rivet is installed, it is inserted into a pierced or drilled hole and the tail is disturbed or bucked (i.e., distorted) so that it expands to approximately 1.5 times the diameter of the original shaft, thereby securing the rivet. In other words, the hammering or tugging creates a new "head" on the tail end by compressing the "tail" material, resulting in a rivet resembling a dumbbell.

To distinguish the two extremities of the rivet, the factory head is called the factory head and the deformed end is called the shop head or buck-tail. Due to the fact that each end of an inserted rivet is essentially a head, it can withstand tensional forces. Nonetheless, it is considerably more resistant to shear tensions (loading perpendicular to the axis of the shaft).

Avlock aims to understand customers businesses so that they can advise them on the best possible use of fasteners and equipment in their production processes and in the assembly of their products. For a no obligation quote and free demonstration, contact Avlock International today.

0861 AVLOCK (0861 285 625) or email query@avlock.co.za