Riveting

Rivets are a non-detachable form of fastening device, used extensively on aircraft, to secure the items of components built up from sheet metal. They are cheaper, lighter in weight, ideal for forming liquid-tight joints and are more rapidly fastened than bolts. However, they are not really suitable for tensile loads and a riveted assembly cannot be readily dismantled. Rivets, basically fall into following two classes.

• Solid rivets
• Hollow or tubular rivets

Rivets are supplied with one head already formed and the tail being formed by hand-operated or machine tools.