Rivet

Rivet: A permanent mechanical fastener which attaches two or more pieces together. A rivet has a “head” end which is formed in the factory and a “bucked” or tail end which is formed when the joint is fabricated. Rivets typically perform in shear stress situations but can also perform satisfactorily in tension/tensile and bending stress situations.

Rivet Head: The head of the rivet is the end of the rivet which is produced by the rivet manufacturer. The usual shape of the rivet head is a dome.

Rivet Shank: The smooth cylindrical portion of the rivet between the factory “headed” end and the “field” bucked end. They cylindrical portion of the rivet usually passes through holes in the items being riveted together. The rivet shank can be sold or tubular or a combination of both.

Semi-Tubular Rivet: A rivet normally has a solid shank. However, in a semi-tubular rivet the field end appears “drilled out” and has been formed in the shape of a hollow tube.