Rivets and Lockbolts (aka Lockbolt Rivets) are two of the most common permanent mechanical fasteners in the modern manufacturing and assembly industry. Both can achieve a secure connection, although they have significant differences in their use, structural strength, installation methods, maintenance cycles, and overall costs. Lockbolts are ideal for high-stress / high-loads environments offering greater strength and reliability while rivets are more commonly used as connectors for general joining needs in lighter applications where ease of installation is a priority.The choice between lockbolts and rivets depends on the specific material properties and  application requirements, including strength, installation conditions, and cost considerations.

A Lockbolt typically consists of a pin and a collar. It achieves mechanical interlocking between metals by pressing the locking ring into the groove of the staple using hydraulic or pneumatic tools. This structure offers extremely high shear and tensile strength, and the connection will not loosen or fail due to fatigue. Compared to a traditional rivet, a lockbolt is generally more stable in installation and has an appr. 30-40% higher strength . Commonly used in high-load scenarios such as railways, aviation, bridges, and heavy machinery.

A Rivet is typically composed of a head on one end, a body and a cylindrical stem (also termed as mandrel or tail) on another,resembling a metal pin. It achieves permanent connection by deforming or breaking the core shaft. During installation, the rivet is inserted into a pre-drilled hole,  the tail is deformed by pounding or smashing, locking the rivet at the workpiece. This connection method does not require threads, and it has the advantages of being lightweight, fast to install, and low in cost. Rivets are widely used in fields such as automobiles, aviation, home appliances, metal structures and light industry manufacturing. Some structural rivets can withstand high shear and tensile loads.

Riveted joints can be created with a variety of different rivet configurations, including single, double and zig-zag formations. 

Different types of rivets outlined below are used depending on the requirements of the intended application, Ssolid shank rivets, the oldest and ancestor of all other rivets, high-strength structural steel rivets and semi-tubular rivets (also known as tubular rivets) similar to solid rivets, except they have a partial hole (opposite the head) at the tip, blind rivets (also known as hollow or POP rivets) are used when only one side of the joint is accessible, Oscar rivets are similar to blind rivets, with splits along the hollow shaft, and self-piercing rivets which do not need a drill or punched hole as the end includes a chamfered poke to pierce materials to be joined.

Listings in this section include a wide range of rivets and lockbolts, in different configurations, in aluminum, steel, stainless steel or other materials, finishes and sizes in inch or metric systems together with related application tools. They are offered as OEM parts of their manufacturers' product lines and included in respecive product presentations. Leading manufacturers include HIGH SHEAR, HOWMET, PCC CHERRY, STANLEY, MONOGRAM and others. In many cases, rivets and lockbolts manufactured in accordance with military, aerospace or industry standards can be supplied as part of our own branded (AVIATIONEU NEW ERA) product portfolio. Sourced from quality suppliers they are intended as cost-effective alternatives to respective OEM parts.

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Disclaimer

The information supplied in individual product presentations is based on published data from the manufacturers/ distributors and/or other sources and it is believed to be accurate. However, such information is furnished upon the express condition that the prospective buyers shall make their own assessment to determine the product suitability for their particular application/purpose. AVIATIONEU GROUP companies cannot be held responsible for the validity and accuracy of the appearing information and product specifications. In the case of chemicals, please also refer to their  technical data sheets, labels and material safety data sheets (as applicable) before using them.