PRAIRIE RIVET

American-Made Solid Rivets: Precision & Quality Manufacturing

Prairie Rivet manufactures a variety of solid rivets, including stainless steel, copper, aluminum, brass, monel, and steel rivets. Solid rivets have a history of being among the simplest and most reliable types of permanent fasteners. They are commonly used in aircraft and structural appliances like bridges and buildings where reliability and safety are essential.

How solid rivets work: This type of rivet consists of a solid shaft, called the shank, with a head on one end. Once installed, the headless end of a solid rivet is manipulated and compacted with a hammer, rivet gun or other form of compression to hold it in place.

Both ends of this type of fastener must be accessible for installation. Pre-punched or drilled holes, on the part(s) or piece of equipment the rivet is being applied to, are required for use on most solid rivet applications. During manufacturing, virtually no scrap is produced in the process.

Solid Rivet Head Styles

Prairie Rivet manufactures solid rivets with a variety of head styles:

Oval Head Rivets

Truss Head Rivets

Flat Head Rivets

Common Materials Used For Solid Rivets

Steel
Stainless Steel

Aluminum
Brass

Copper
Monel

Why Use Solid Rivets?

High-speed assembly
Ease of joint inspection
Easily adapted for automation
High shear strength values
Inexpensive alternative to threaded fasteners
Little to no scrap is produced during the manufacturing process
Permanent fastener that cannot be removed unless one of the ends of the rivet is sheared off

Most Commonly Used Solid Rivets

Wire Range: .084 to .242

Technical Specifications for Solid Rivets

Diagram of a solid rivet illustrating dimensions and head style.

Head Style	Body Diameter	Head Diameter	Head Thickness (+/-.005)	Max Length	Radius
Oval	.084 - .089	.144 - .150	.023	1	.010
Truss	.084 - .089	.155 - .160	023	1	.012
Truss	.094 - .099	.182 - .192	029	1	.012
Oval	.118 - .123	.213 - .223	.034	2	.015
Truss	.118 - .123	.229 - .239	.042	2	.020
Oval	.140 - .145	.277 - .284	.034	2	.015
Truss	.140 - .145	.307 - .317	.042	2	.020
Oval	.180 - .185	.307 - .317	.062	2	.025
Truss	.180 - .185	.370 - 380	.062	2	.025
Oval	.242 - .247	.432 - .442	.098	2	.030
Truss	.242 - .247	.495 - .505	.098	2	. 030

Ready To Start Your Next Rivet Order?

Order the solid rivets you need, request a quote, or contact us to talk with a member of our Prairie Rivet team to learn more. We will be happy to assist you.

Solid Rivet Applications

Solid rivets are essential fasteners in a wide array of industries due to their strength, permanence, and reliability. Their primary function is to join two or more materials together, creating a robust and lasting connection that can withstand significant stress and vibration. This makes them a preferred choice for applications where failure is not an option, ensuring the integrity and safety of the assembled product.

Industries such as aerospace, automotive, construction, and heavy machinery extensively utilize solid rivets. In aerospace, they are critical for aircraft assembly, holding together structural components where weight and strength are paramount. The construction sector relies on them for bridges, buildings, and other infrastructure projects, benefiting from their durability and resistance to environmental factors. Automotive manufacturing also employs solid rivets for chassis and body assembly, contributing to vehicle safety and longevity.

Solid Rivet Installation Process

The installation of solid rivets is a straightforward yet precise process that ensures a secure and permanent joint. It typically involves placing the rivet through pre-drilled or punched holes in the materials to be joined, followed by deforming the tail end of the rivet to create a second head. This deformation process, often achieved through riveting tools, expands the rivet shank and securely locks the components together.

The basic steps for installing a solid rivet include selecting the appropriate rivet size and material for the application, inserting the rivet through the aligned holes of the workpieces, and then using a rivet gun or hammer and bucking bar to form the shop head. The tail of the rivet is upset, creating a permanent mechanical bond. Proper alignment and consistent force application are key to achieving a strong and reliable connection.

Types of Solid Rivet Head Styles

Solid rivets are available in a variety of head styles, each designed to suit specific aesthetic requirements, functional needs, and installation constraints. The head style influences the rivet's bearing surface area, its protrusion above the material, and its overall appearance, making the choice of head style an important consideration in fastener selection.

Common head styles include Oval, which offers a slightly rounded, finished appearance and is suitable for many general applications; Truss, which features a low-profile, wide head that distributes load over a larger area and is ideal for thin materials; and Countersunk (or Flush), designed to sit flush with the surface of the material for a smooth finish, often used in aerospace and automotive applications where aerodynamics or aesthetics are critical.

Benefits of Using Solid Rivets

Solid rivets offer a compelling set of advantages that make them a preferred fastening solution across numerous demanding industries. Their inherent strength, permanence, and cost-effectiveness contribute significantly to the reliability and longevity of assembled products, making them a cornerstone of robust engineering and manufacturing.

Key benefits include high shear and tensile strength, ensuring the integrity of joints under stress. They are a permanent fastening solution, providing a secure connection that resists loosening from vibration. Furthermore, solid rivets are an economical choice compared to threaded fasteners, often requiring less complex tooling and producing minimal scrap during manufacturing. Their ease of installation and suitability for automation also contribute to efficient assembly processes.