Everything you need to know about threaded rivets

Nowadays, there are many methods by which different metal parts are connected. It is important to remember that it is far from always possible to use a welding machine; in some situations, its use will be simply inappropriate. That is why a lot of materials are published on the network for those who are interested in everything there is to know about threaded rivets. First of all, it is necessary to focus on the versatility of these devices, the scope of which is practically unlimited. This is due to the performance of this type of rivets.

Initially, it is worth recalling that until relatively recently it was rivets that were one of the most common types of hardware products. Today, despite the active introduction of advanced technologies and innovative technical solutions, the relevance of such fasteners remains in many modern areas. The design features and the operating principle of threaded rivets deserve special attention. It is important to consider - regardless of the variety, they work the same way.

At its core, all rivets are bush-head fasteners. On the other hand, there is a head that is closed during the assembly process. If we compare the more familiar to many exhaust and considered fasteners, it will become clear that the latter differ, first of all, in the presence of a threaded element. In this case, we are talking about a compact design in the form of a sleeve (rod), which has a cylindrical or hexagonal shape. Its upper part is equipped with a support flange, and the lower one has a thread.

Considering the features of threaded rivets, it is necessary to pay special attention to the following clear advantages of this type of fasteners.

• Maximum ease of use.
• The strength of the joints created, including, if necessary, the installation of structures from fragile elements. This refers, for example, to thin sheet iron, even a slight deformation of which during the assembly process is unacceptable.
• Possibility of high-quality one-sided fixation. This moment is most relevant in situations where the total thickness of the fastened parts exceeds the length of the hardware product. In this case, threaded rivets are able to provide a reliable installation without sacrificing the performance of the structure.
• Retention of fastening strength for a long time.
• Complete absence of chemical and mechanical aggressiveness.
• Preservation of the paint and varnish coating of the surfaces of the parts to be joined.
• Possibility of permanent connection of structural elements made of different materials.
• Absence of any mechanical stresses.
• Possibility of multiple dismantling with re-installation of fasteners.

Presently more and more preference is given to welded seams, seams or glues. However, despite all the indisputable advantages of this kind of connections, in some situations the only rational solution is the use of rivets with a threaded element. In addition to all of the above, it should be noted that such devices are capable of withstanding significant thermal loads.

Also, threaded rivets do not cause structural changes in the mounted parts, which cannot be said about the same welding. This point is very important when joining different materials. And do not forget that the described hardware products, if necessary, ensure the preservation of the mobility of structural elements.

Naturally, there are certain disadvantages of such rivets, which include the following important points.

• At the preparatory stage, it is required to carry out the most accurate marking and make holes of the corresponding diameters.
• In the overwhelming majority of cases, there is no tightness of the created seams. In some situations, the solution may be to install rubber gaskets or gaskets made of other materials.
• The performance of work is accompanied by a fairly noticeable noise.

At the momentt in the corresponding segment of the modern hardware market, a wide range of considered fixtures is presented. There are rivet bolts, versions with cylindrical flanges, blind and other threaded rivets. On the one hand, this allows in each case to select the most suitable rivets, taking into account all relevant criteria. At the same time, such a variety becomes the cause of certain difficulties in choosing.

First of all, we are talking about the material from which the rivets are made, the latter can be:

• steel;
• made of "stainless steel";
• copper;
• made of aluminum alloy.

In this case, we are not talking about devices with an external thread. There are two versions of rivets with an internal thread.

• Nuts with thread from M4 to M8, designed for non-separable connection. It is more expedient to install in the absence of access to the reverse side of the parts.
• Screw threads from M3 to M16, with the help of which a dismountable connection is created.

In addition to the material of manufacture and features of the thread, the described fasteners are divided into types, taking into account the characteristics of the head. There are two categories of models.

1. With flat heads - used on small surfaces.
2. Countersunk heads - installed when it is necessary to create minimally visible connections.

Taking into account this parameter, all fasteners on sale can be divided into the following three types.

1. Smooth, which are recommended for use when it is necessary to connect structural elements made of soft and brittle materials.
2. Corrugated - threaded rivets, designed for installation work related to the fastening of harder materials. This surface treatment minimizes the possibility of the leg turning.
3. Hexagonal - another category of products designed for durable materials. The profile in this case almost completely excludes the possibility of turning the rivet during its installation and fixation.

Taking into account the peculiarities of this part of the hardware, it should be noted that there are rivets with the following types of collars.

• Cylindrical.
• Secret.
• Reduced.

The choice in favor of models with a countersunk or reduced shoulder is made if it is required to minimize the gap between the parts to be connected as much as possible. It is also necessary to remember several important points in the context of the preparation of parts and the nuances of the installation work. In accordance with current rules and regulations, before installing any type of rivets, the countersinking of the mounting holes is always carried out.

Now on the market you can find almost any threaded rivets, including models for plastic, as well as designed for use when installing a rivet. Taking into account the purpose, the following types of models can be distinguished:

• with increased electrical conductivity;
• with a force that provides the possibility of stretching or indentation;
• designed to create the most tight connections;
• having oversized heads;
• with inch thread;
• with special marks on the surface, designed for quick visual identification;
• with high quality and effective vibration isolation.

Above, attention was already focused on the variety of materials used in the production of the described hardware. However, it is worth describing in more detail the most common versions of threaded rivets. And in this case we are talking about the following important points.

• For universal fasteners and for making standard connections, carbon steel is generally used.
• The choice in favor of "stainless steel" is justified in situations where it is required to create joints of structural elements operated at high temperatures and in conditions of high humidity.
• The main differences between aluminum rivets are, above all, outstanding anti-corrosion properties and minimal weight.
• Bronze will be the best solution if you need to use fasteners made of materials with minimal sparking rates.

In addition to everything already listed, it is worth noting that in some cases neoprene is used as a raw material. Products made from this polymer are self-aligning. In such cases, there is no need to use special tools and equipment.

The selection of the optimal size of a threaded rivet depends on several important factors. These include the type of hardware product, as well as the total thickness of the fastened elements of a particular design. With the same thread parameters, the length will be determined by the type of fastener.

It is important to take into account that most models are available in two versions - normal (standard) and extended. For example, A conventional stainless steel rivet can be of the following sizes.

• Thread - from M4 to M10.
• Length - from 11 to 24 mm.
• Rivet and hole diameter - from 6 to 13 mm.
• The diameter of the collar is from 9 to 17 mm.

At the stage of selecting rivets, it is strongly recommended to use the appropriate tables, which indicate all their key parameters. Now you can easily find all the necessary information on specialized resources.

In principle, threaded rivets can be used in virtually any connection. but they are most relevant in cases where, after assembly, there will be no full access to the reverse side of the articulated structural parts. They, like other types of rivets, are most often used when joining elements made of sheet materials.Such hardware products are distinguished by maximum ease of installation, which does not require a large arsenal of special equipment.

Very often it will be much easier to install such a rivet than to thread or weld. It is also important to take into account that individual models provide the possibility of an additional, maximally strong connection using bolts or screws of the corresponding diameter. The scope of application of the described devices is determined, first of all, by their type and material of manufacture.

So, installation of nut rivets is advisable in confined spaces. At the same time, the use of hexagonal models will help prevent the risk of twisting during installation. In addition, manufacturers offer rivets for assembling structures designed for specific operating conditions.

Taking into account the principle of installation, threaded rivets can be called in many respects identical to their pull-out counterparts. In this case, the algorithm of actions during the execution of work includes several main stages. We are talking about preparing the surfaces to be joined, drilling holes of the appropriate diameter and directly installing the fasteners. It is important to remember that the quality of the seam formed is determined, among other things, by the row. Taking into account the requirements, a multi-row scheme with a chain or staggered arrangement of elements can be used.

To simplify the assembly process as much as possible and reduce time costs, special devices are used - riveters. This tool can be equipped with manual, pneumatic and hydraulic drives.

Analyzing the possibility of using threaded rivets, it should be borne in mind that the durability of such connections is determined by the outer diameter of the installed hardware. And in this case we are talking about a direct proportional relationship. In other words, the larger the rivet, the stronger the seam and the higher its resistance to various loads. In addition, the list of factors affecting the quality of joints in a given situation includes the absence of corrugation and wall thickness. However, these characteristics in parallel are reflected in the convenience of performing all the works provided for by the technology.

For threaded rivets, see the video below.