When choosing which type of rivet to use, the factors you need to consider are:
Materials you are joining
One of the biggest factors when using a rivet is the type of material you are joining.
Whether it is metal, plastic or wood you need to know which rivet is suitable for that specific application.
The rivets you use need to be strong enough to hold the material that is being fastened together.
For heavier and tougher materials such as steel, you will want to use rivets that are durable.
Softer materials such as plastic and wood can be joined with rivets made from softer materials such as aluminium or copper.
Type of application
Choosing which type of rivets you need will also depend on the application the rivets are being used for.
Whether the rivets will come into contact with water, are used with an electrical appliance or simply hold two or more pieces of material together, will help decide which type of rivets are most suitable for you.
If you are fastening material that is going to experience constant movement, you will need rivets that have high shear strength.
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.
Rivets that have high shear strength are produced from tougher materials such as high carbon steel, stainless steel or steel.
If the material is not going to be experiencing constant movement and is in a fixed position then you can use rivets that are less durable.
Rivet material
The material the rivets are made from is very important as its properties can give your joint a big advantage.
The material you are joining will help you decide the best rivet material for the job.
Joining materials such as metal to metal will require rivets that have similar properties, for example any type of steel rivet would be suitable for joining steel.
This is because steel and steel rivets would have the same or similar properties, making them durable, long lasting, and proving enough strength to keep the joint fastened.
Whatever material you are joining you will want to choose the rivets with the correct properties to give your joint sufficient strength.
However, it is not just strength you need to consider when joining…
Applications that require rivets to be made from a certain material are another important factor.
For example, if you are working with electrical appliances, you may want to use copper, brass or aluminium, as they are all excellent electrical conductors.
Blind side
Blind side describes the opposite side of a piece of work that can not be seen or accessed. This is another factor that will decide which type of rivets you will need.
If the work can not be accessed then your only option is to use blind rivets, as they only need access to one side to be installed, unlike solid rivets.
Aesthetic appeal
Aesthetic appeal can be important when fastening certain objects. For example, an object that will be in the public eye needs to look attractive as well as having strong joints.
Both solid and blind rivets come with designs that make them suitable for certain applications.
Different head styles are available for both solid and blind rivets which can provide different looks for a joint.