We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Materials

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

How Do I Choose the Best Steel Rivet?

By Alex Newth
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 6,810
Share

Choosing the best steel rivet for a particular project can be difficult, because there are many different rivets available. One place to start the selection process is size, because the size of the rivet is important to ensuring it can correctly fit into the structure. There are two types of steel rivets, blind and solid, and both are good for different reasons. A rivet can come with different heads that either secure the rivet better or keep the rivet from being visible. Depending on how the steel is alloyed, there may be different mechanical properties attributed to the rivet.

When choosing the size of the steel rivet, you should look into both the diameter and the length. Most projects require you to drill holes through the metal before riveting, so you should make sure the rivet is the same diameter as the hole. In terms of length, the rivet should be just long enough to go through the two or more layers of metal involved in your project. If the rivet is too long, then it will not be secure; if it is too short, then it will not properly lock in place.

Blind and solid rivets are available on the market, and both have different properties. The former normally is best if you are riveting by yourself, because only one person is needed to use this type of steel rivet, but this rivet also has a higher chance of falling out of place. Solid rivets are more secure, but two people are needed when using them.

There are many different rivet heads from which to choose when getting a steel rivet. If the head is larger, it normally will provide more support. Higher heads offer good support, but they are more susceptible to wind resistance on planes and similar objects. Countersunk heads are flush and normally are best if wind resistance is a problem or if you do not want people to see the rivets.

Steel is the joining of iron and carbon, but there are many ways of alloying steel by changing the amount of iron and carbon or adding metals such as nickel or zinc. When choosing a certain steel for a steel rivet, you should think about how much heat the rivet will encounter and how durable and tough the steel needs to be. Some steels may be incompatible with others; if your project is using a sensitive type of steel, then it may be a good idea to choose a rivet that uses the same alloy.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/how-do-i-choose-the-best-steel-rivet.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.