Rivets

Industrial Rivet Selection — Quick Reference

Rivets = PERMANENT mechanical fastener joining materials by DEFORMING body or MANDREL through aligned holes. AU fabrication + sheet metal + trade + automotive panel work. Match rivet to material + thickness + access.

Critical: Match rivet GRIP RANGE to total material thickness. Rivet body diameter = pilot hole +0.1mm typical. Use blind rivet only where one-side access. For higher loads use structural rivet or proper bolted joint. Brands: Avdel, Pferd. Companion: rivet tools, rivet kits, types of rivets guide.

Industrial Rivets for Australian Fabrication, Sheet Metal and Trade Work

Rivets are the permanent mechanical fastener that joins two materials by deforming a body or mandrel through aligned holes — clean, fast, and stronger than most alternatives for sheet metal and panel work. AIMS Industrial supplies industrial rivets across the styles, sizes, and materials Australian fabricators, sheet metal workshops, and trade users need, with bulk pack quantities for production and trade pack sizes for service work.

The rivet types we stock

• Blind rivets (pop rivets) — installed from one side using a riveter; the everyday choice for sheet metal and panel work
• Solid rivets — traditional rivets installed by upsetting both ends; used in structural and heritage applications
• Structural rivets — heavy-duty blind rivets for higher-load applications
• Sealed (closed-end) rivets — for water-tight and dust-tight joints
• Multi-grip rivets — wider grip range than standard, useful when joint thickness varies

Head styles

• Standard dome head — the everyday choice for general fastening
• Large flange dome head — for thin, fragile, or oversized-hole substrates where a wider bearing surface is needed
• Countersunk head — for flush installations where the head must sit below the surface

Materials

• Aluminium body / steel mandrel — the everyday choice, economical and corrosion-resistant in indoor applications
• All-aluminium — for soft or aluminium substrates where the steel mandrel could cause galvanic corrosion
• Steel body / steel mandrel — stronger joint, suits heavier substrates
• Stainless steel (304 or 316) — for marine, food-grade, and corrosive environments
• Copper and brass — for decorative and electrical applications

Sizing — diameter and grip range

Rivet sizing has two dimensions: the diameter (matched to the hole, typically 4mm or 5mm for general work) and the grip range (the combined material thickness the rivet can fasten). The grip range is given as min-max, typically expressed in millimetres. Choose a rivet whose grip range covers the combined material thickness with a small margin. Choosing a rivet with a grip range that's too short means the rivet body extends too far beyond the hole and produces a weak joint; too long means the body collapses irregularly.

Pack quantities

• Bulk packs (1000-3000 per pack) — for production fabrication and high-volume trade work
• Trade packs (250-500 per pack) — for general workshop and trade use
• Service pack (50-100 per pack) — for occasional use and service van inventory

Tools you'll need

Blind rivets require a riveter to install. Hand riveters work for occasional use; for daily-use trade work, an air riveter or battery-powered riveter is significantly faster. Match the riveter capacity to the largest rivet size you'll install — undersized riveters can't develop the force needed for larger or stainless rivets.

Companion ranges at AIMS

Rivets sit alongside our broader fastener and tool range — see rivet assortment kits, large flange rivets, countersunk rivets, and air riveter tools for the related products.

Need help with rivet sizing, material selection, or bulk pricing? contact our team — we'll match by application, substrate, and quantity.