Rivets for fasteners

How to firmly lock the board with rivets that can be fixed with just one pull or tap? Rivets belong to non threaded permanent fastening connectors, which are completely different from bolts pre tightened by threads. They rely on metal plastic deformation to achieve permanent locking, and cannot be disassembled without damage after riveting.
1、 The principle of rivet fastening connection
The core principle of rivet fastening connection is to cause plastic deformation of the rivet through external force (pulling force/hammering impact force), clamp the plate in both directions, and lock it with friction force and mechanical limit, which belongs to the non removable permanent connection method.
The essence of permanent connection that cannot be removed: rivet deformation is irreversible plastic deformation, and the rivet head wraps around the plate as a whole. If you want to separate it, you can only saw off the rivet and drill off the rivet head, which cannot be loosened without damage. Therefore, it is defined as a permanent connection.
2、 Classification of rivets
1. Core pulling rivets
Single side operation, lightweight tools, fast installation speed. By pulling the internal core rod with a riveting gun, the nail tail expands and bulges to form a rivet head. The core rod eventually breaks at the set neck position, achieving quick installation on one side. Belonging to lightweight riveting, it is not suitable for heavy-duty steel structures, thick plates, and high load conditions.
Open core rivets
After the core rod is pulled off, there is a through-hole at the tail of the nail tube, which is low-cost and lightweight. Suitable for indoor computer cases, light steel keel, advertising signs and other scenarios without waterproof requirements.
Sealed (waterproof) pop rivets
The nail head is sealed as a whole, and after riveting, the holes in the board are completely sealed to isolate water vapor and dust; The tensile and shear bearing capacity is higher than that of the open end design. Suitable for outdoor cabinets, kitchen and bathroom equipment, and outdoor curtain wall panels.
2. Solid rivets
The overall solid structure has high load-bearing capacity, stable waterproof sealing performance, and long service life; Double sided operation, with one side pressing against the rivet head and the other side using a rivet gun/hammer to strike the nail tail, causing the nail tail to thicken and form a compressed head, mechanically locking, and having strong overall rigidity. Suitable for steel structure bridges, heavy machinery frames, ship steel plates, etc.
Half round head solid rivet
Large contact surface and strong pressure bearing capacity.
Countersunk solid rivet
After riveting, the surface should be flat without any protrusions and should not interfere with sliding parts.
Flat headed solid rivet
Flat splicing of thin sheets.
3. Core rivet
Single sided installation, only use a hammer to strike the internal core rod to expand the tail of the nail tube and complete riveting, suitable for high-altitude and easy on-site assembly. Low bearing capacity, only static light load, not suitable for vibration conditions.
4. Hollow rivets
Hollow rivet
The rod fully penetrates the hollow, and after riveting, it can pass through components such as wires and pins, making it lightweight overall.
Semi-tubular rivet
Lightweight rivets with hollow tail, soft deformation, no tearing of thin or soft materials; Lightweight, not suitable for load-bearing and vibration conditions.
5. Other
Expansion type rivets, ring groove rivets, etc.
3、 How to choose
1. Space
Operating space: Rivets are available in single-sided and double-sided construction types.
Material and thickness of the connected component: such as soft substrates (leather, plastic, fiberglass board, thin copper sheet), semi hollow tubular rivets can be used; Thick steel plate, high-strength alloy steel substrate, solid rivets, and ring groove rivets are preferred.
2. Scene
Load and vibration conditions
Ordinary static light loads (advertising signs, interior decoration) can use open core rivets, punch core rivets, and semi hollow tubular rivets.
For moderate loads and slight alternating vibrations, closed core rivets and multi drum rivets can be selected. The closed structure enhances overall rigidity and disperses local stress with multiple bulges.
Under heavy load and long-term vibration conditions, solid rivets and ring groove rivets can be used, which have strong bearing capacity and excellent anti vibration performance.
Appearance and assembly interference requirements: There should be no protrusions on the surface, and high flatness is required. Use countersunk rivets.
3. Environment
Ordinary dry environment: no need for sealed structure, cost control;
Outdoor outdoor, humid, corrosive environment: enclosed, stainless steel, solid.
Different rivet sleeves and locking structures directly determine the bearing capacity, sealing performance, and vibration resistance, and the selection must match the working load. Reference can be made to the corresponding national standards for fasteners, and small-scale tensile tests can be conducted in advance for key load-bearing scenarios to verify whether the actual anchorage bearing capacity meets the standards.