Diameter of Rivet Hole

The diameter of a rivet hole plays a crucial role in the strength of a riveted joint. The hole should be drilled to the correct size so that the rivet can be inserted snugly, but not so tight that it deforms the rivet. It is recommended to keep the following points in mind while drilling the hole for a rivet:

Nominal Diameter of Rivet

The nominal diameter of a rivet is the diameter of the shank, excluding the head. It is the size specified for ordering rivets. For example, a 1/4" rivet has a shank diameter of 1/4".

Diameter of Rivet Hole

The diameter of the hole should be slightly larger than the diameter of the rivet shank to allow for easy insertion and to prevent deformation of the rivet. The recommended size of the hole is typically 1.5 to 2 mm larger than the nominal diameter of the rivet.

Reason for Larger Hole

The larger hole size serves multiple purposes, such as:

- It allows for a small amount of movement of the rivet in the hole, which helps to distribute the load evenly across the joint.
- It ensures that the rivet is not deformed when inserted, which can weaken the joint.
- It allows for expansion and contraction of the joint due to changes in temperature, which can cause the rivet to loosen or the metal to crack if the hole is too small.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the diameter of a rivet hole should be greater than the nominal diameter of the rivet by about 1.5 to 2 mm to ensure a strong and durable joint.