Rivet facts for kids
A rivet is a special kind of metal fastener. It's like a strong pin used to join two or more pieces of metal together. For a long time, riveting was the main way to build huge metal structures. Think of big ships, tall bridges, and many other complex metal objects. This method became popular during the early Industrial Revolution. While we use other ways to join metal today, you can still see examples of rivets everywhere!
Contents
How Rivets Work
The main idea behind a rivet is simple but clever. First, a metal pin, called a slug, is heated until it's red-hot. Then, it's put through holes in the metal pieces that need to be joined.
Next, a powerful tool, often an automatic jackhammer, pounds one end of the hot rivet. This pounding makes the hot metal spread out. It forms a bulb or a mushroom shape on the inside. This new shape holds the two metal sheets tightly together.
The process of riveting was very noisy, especially when building large structures like ships. As the hot rivet cools down, it shrinks a little. This shrinking pulls the two ends of the rivet even closer. This creates a very strong and tight joint.
Riveting as a Skill
Being a riveter was a skilled job. It often involved a team of four people working together. Two workers would heat the rivets until they were red-hot. Then, they would quickly pass them to the other two workers. These two would then hammer the rivets into place.
Because it needed many skilled workers, riveting was an expensive process. Even when machines helped with heating the rivets, it still required a lot of effort.
Checking Rivets
It was easy to check if a rivet was properly installed. Workers would simply tap the rivet with a hammer. A rivet that was set tightly in its hole would make a clear, ringing sound. If the rivet was loose, it would make a different, duller sound. This simple test helped ensure everything was strong and safe.
Rivets Today
Over time, new ways of joining metal were invented. Today, welding and high-strength bolts have mostly replaced riveting. Welding uses heat to melt and join metal pieces directly. High-strength bolts are very strong screws that hold metal together.
However, rivets are still very important in some areas. They are especially used where things need to be both light and very strong. A great example is in building aircraft. Airplanes use rivets because they provide a reliable and lightweight connection.
Examples of Riveted Structures
Images for kids
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Sophisticated riveted joint on a railway bridge
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A typical technical drawing of a universal head solid rivet
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Riveting team working on the cockpit shell of a C-47 transport at the plant of North American Aviation. The woman on the left operates an air hammer, while the man on the right holds a bucking bar.
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An original structural steel rivet from the Golden Gate Bridge (1937). Removed and replaced c. 2000 during work to reinforce the structure to resist seismic loads
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A typical technical drawing of an oval head semi-tubular rivet
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Three aluminium blind rivets: 1/8", 3/32", and 1/16"
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Animation of a rivet being tightened (necked area of mandrel not shown)
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Speed in the Workshops – Speed in the Air, March 1944 Geo Tucker Eyelet Co. advert for pop rivets, featuring Spitfire aircraft
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Pop rivet gun with rivet inserted
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Oscar rivet shown with mandrel (dashed lines depict flare/flange after installation)
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Installing rivets on M3 tank hull
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A riveted buffer beam on a steam locomotive
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A riveted truss bridge over the Orange River
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Detail of a 1941 riveted ship hull, with the rivets clearly visible
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Impact method for solid rivet and semitubular rivets
See also
In Spanish: Remache para niños
