Electronic Stainless Steel Oval Drive Rivet

Electronic: The electronics and computer industries are users of various rivets such as semi-tubular rivets and special soft-set blind rivets for PCB’s, and other electrical components such as relays and switches. Rapid Rivet is Your Rivet Specialist. We are a Master Stocking Distributor of rivets, rivet nuts, threaded inserts, and tooling. We have a large and varied inventory to meet your needs. No automated telephone answering system here at Rapid Rivet. Speak directly to a knowledgeable salesperson who will assist you in selecting the rivet you require. We pride ourselves in our ability to give you a fast and competitive quotation. Many items are in stock, and next day delivery is available when requested. Most items are available with manufacturer’s certifications and test reports. We also can offer bar coding, unit packaging, and will set parts and shipments up for long-term release dates.

Stainless Steel: Stainless Steels are part of a family of iron based (ferrous) alloys, each having a chromium content of not less than 12 percent.  Chromium does not corrode; therefore stainless steel has a high degree of resistance to corrosion.  The higher the chromium content in the stainless steel, the greater the degree of resistance to corrosion.  In addition to iron and chromium, stainless steel also contains varying amounts of nickel.  Nickel gives the stainless steel even higher resistance to corrosion, and makes the stainless steel stronger, especially at high or low temperatures.  The reason why stainless steel does not rust, is its ability to spontaneously form a thin invisible oxide film coating on the exposed surfaces, which when formed, prevents further corrosion from taking place.  Stainless steel is an expensive material, but less expensive than the nickel alloy materials (monel, etc.).  It is stronger than steel, and monel.  It is always annealed.  It is almost never plated, as it needs no additional protection from corrosion.  There are many different alloys of stainless steel; the types most commonly used for rivets are: A-286, 302HQ, 304L, 305, 316, 347, & 430.  There are a wide variety of uses for stainless steel including: hardware, cookware, cutlery, surgical instruments, appliances, and as a structural material in buildings, and in the automotive and aerospace industry.

Oval:  Oval Head.  Term used in semi-tubular rivets, referring to a protruding head with an oval cross-section that is about twice the diameter of the body of the rivet.

Steel:  (Also called Mild Steel and Low Carbon Steel)  This is the most common material for use in fasteners.  Steel is an alloy consisting of mostly iron, and a small percentage of carbon, (between 0.05 – 1.1%) It is the least expensive metal.  It is strong, has good workability, and can be produced in a wide variety of forms.  Its chief disadvantage is its susceptibility to corrosion (rust) in an un-plated, unprotected form.  Its other drawback, in aerospace applications, is that steel is about three times heavier than aluminum, while not offering any great advantage in strength.  Steel is magnetic.  Most mild steel used for rivets is heat treated, although there are some exceptions.  Most steel rivets will have some form of protective finish or coating when delivered from the mill (factory) to prevent corrosion.  Most steel for commercial applications will be plated zinc with a clear chromate.  Most steel for military or aerospace applications will be plated cadmium with a yellow chromate.  

Drive: A drive rivet is a form of blind rivet. The body of the drive rivet is hollowed-out out and a pin sits in the hollowed-out portion. This pin protrudes past the head of the rivet, and is designed so it can be driven into the body of the rivet, with an ordinary hammer. The end of the shank is divided into quarters, or thirds, to allow it to be deformed. As the pin is hammered into place, it forces the ends of the rivet to splay outwards, pulling and clinching the material into place.

Drive Rivet:  A drive rivet is a form of blind rivet. The main virtue of this rivet is that it can be installed without special tooling. It can also be used in blind-hole applications, in wood or low-density materials.