In most manufacturing environments, fastener selection is not a matter of preference. It is driven by what the design and the assembly process require.
Both solid rivets and semi-tubular rivets are well-established fastening solutions. Each has a defined role, and both are widely used across industries.
The distinction between them becomes important not because of features or materials, but because installation mechanics, equipment limits, and material behavior place real constraints on how a joint can be formed.
The Real Difference: Installation Energy and Deformation Control
The fundamental distinction between solid and semi-tubular rivets is how much material must be displaced during installation. Solid rivets require the deformation of a fully solid shank, demanding higher installation force and robust tooling.
Semi-tubular rivets reduce the amount of material that must be upset during installation by introducing a controlled hollow at the tail end.
Where Semi-Tubular Rivets Are Specified by Necessity
Semi-tubular rivets are typically specified when installation constraints drive the design, such as limited-force equipment, high-speed automation, or sensitive materials.
Strength Is Not Debated – It Is Designed Around
It is well understood that a semi-tubular rivet will not match the shear strength of a solid rivet of the same diameter. This difference is accounted for during joint design.
Print-Driven Reality: When Rivets Are Not Off-the-Shelf
At that point, the rivet becomes a print-specified component, and the sourcing discussion shifts from selection to feasibility.
Manufacturing Process and Quantity Considerations
Cold heading is commonly used for medium- to high-volume rivets where geometry and material are compatible with forming limits.
Machining may be the practical choice for lower volumes, complex geometries, or materials that do not lend themselves to forming.
In cold heading operations, forming dies are considered perishable production tooling, are not customer-owned, and are typically absorbed into production economics rather than charged as a separate tooling item.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Solid vs. Semi-Tubular Rivets
| Consideration | Solid Rivets | Semi-Tubular Rivets |
| Installation force | High | Lower |
| Material deformation | Full solid shank | Partial hollow collapse |
| Typical applications | High-load, structural joints | High-speed, controlled installation |
| Shear strength | Higher | Lower (designed accordingly) |
| Equipment requirements | Robust tooling | Reduced-force tooling |
How G-Fast Fits Into Print-Driven Rivet Applications
G-Fast reviews customer drawings for manufacturability, feasibility, and cost efficiency. We work strictly from approved customer prints and do not provide design services. If your application requires rivets outside standard inventory, submit your print for review to begin the evaluation process.
