What is a push-in rivet?
Also called push rivets or snap rivets, these fasteners have round heads and are easy to install in wood, metals or other plastics. Most can be applied without the need for tools. In this guide, we’ll look at the different types of these versatile fasteners to help you decide if they’re right for your design. We’ll cover:
What are push-in rivets used for?
Typically, push-in rivets are plastic for the degree of flexibility and vibration resistance these materials offer. These fasteners are typically used in panels and control boards/panels across multiple industries, including automotive, electronics, furniture, domestic appliances and sometimes, even the construction industry. They’re suitable for when you only have access to one side of the components that you’re fastening.
You can learn about other rivets in How to choose your plastic rivets: a guide.
How to use push-in rivets
Like all rivets, their purpose is to fasten two components together. While typical rivets are designed as a permanent fixing, many push-in rivets are easy to remove and reuse again, making them ideal for accessing panels.
The clue to how they work is in the name: you simply push it through your pre-drilled hole. Some push rivets rely on the pressure from your finger to secure your components. Others have legs that expand when pushed in, locking the components in place. That said, there are so many different types of plastic push-in rivets, and they all work a little differently as you’ll see below.
Types of push-in rivets
Push-in rivets are generally easy to install. Plastic rivets provide good electrical insulation properties, as well as resistance to vibration, abrasion and corrosion. Below is a range of push rivets you should get to know:
Nylon rivets push-in – snap
Two-piece push-in rivets come assembled and ready to install. When pushed through a panel hole, the legs expand and firmly lock the components in place. These push-in rivets, or snap rivets, are fast to install, economical, and require no tools. Available in black or white:
- Nylon 6, operating temp. range: -40°F to 239°F, UL94 V-2
- Nylon 6/6, operating temp. range: -40°F to 185°F, UL94 V-2
- Nylon 66/6, operating temp. range: -40°F to 248°F, UL94 V-0
Available in tan:
- Heat-resistant nylon 4/6, operating temp. range: -40°F to 266°F, UL94 V-0
Push-in rivets – knob head
Economical and reusable plastic push-in rivets, ideal for applications that require regular maintenance. The knob-shaped rivet head is easy to grasp, improving operator comfort. Easy and effective push-pull design enables the rivet to snap in and out of the application up to 25 times for fast assembly and removal. Available in:
- Nylon 6, operating temp. range: -40°F to 239°F, UL94 V-2
Countersunk push-in rivets
Tamper-resistant design ensures the rivet head sits flush to the surface. The lack of protrusion also means the head won’t snag clothes or skin. Suitable for sliding-track applications. Available in black or white:
- Nylon 6 operating temp. range: -40°F to 239°F, UL94 V-2
Push-in rivets nylon – tough rivet
Strong, economical and reliable, these vibration-resistant rivets are designed to stay tough in their structure. The pre-driven pin enables quick installation by hand or with an automatic tool. They can be easily removed by pulling the pin from the grommet and reused. Suitable for lightweight applications requiring a push-in, front-mounted (blind-side fixing) fastener. Available in:
- Nylon 6/6, UL94 V-2
- Nylon 6/6, UL94 HB
Push-in rivet – fir tree
Push-in rivets with ribbed shank secures a range of materials: wood, metal, foam, rubber and plastics. The shanks are angled to slide into an assembly with ease, and prevent pull out. When the fir-tree rivets are pushed into a hole, the flexible ribs deflect and spring back to lock securely in place. Available in:
- Nylon 6/6, operating temp. range: -40°F to 185°F, UL94 V-2 or UL94 V-0
Drive rivets
The hollow body increases flexibility during insertion and removal, making it easy to install and remove. The grommet expands as the pin is inserted, providing a snug fit. A multi-purpose rivet, ideal for front-mounting without the need for tools. Available in black or natural:
- Nylon 6/6, operating temp. range: -40°F to 230°F
- Acetal
Push-in rivets – round/square hole
The pin feature enables easy finger-pressure installation. This versatile rivet that can be mounted in round, square or rectangular holes. Tip: Use square-hole mounting for anti-rotation applications. The pin and a grommet can be supplied assembled or pre-assembled. To remove these rivets, simply retract the pin, and then the body.
Available in:
- Nylon 6/6, UL94 V-2
Push-in rivets – heat sink
Heat-sink rivets are spring mounted to processor chips on circuit boards. The metal spring provides a continuous pressure to the heat sink to improve conductivity until thermal adhesive cures.
Available in two styles: one can be installed by hand and the other is applied to circuit boards with a Phillips head screwdriver.
- Heat-stablized nylon 6/6, operating temp. range: -40°F to 257°F, UL94 V-2
Spring material:
- Tool-free version: chrome-plated steel
- Tool-required version: stainless steel
Push-in rivets – folding leg
Pushing the pin into the rivet body causes the legs to expand outwards, which allows it to get a firm grip on the components being fastened. This expansion enables the rivet to cover a larger surface area, but as a result it gives the components a weaker tensile strength.
This makes these rivets more suited to thinner applications, such as cardboard boxes and other porous materials. Once applied, these plastic push-in rivets cannot be removed from the outside of the box. Available in black and natural:
- Nylon 6/6, UL94 V-2
Push-in rivets – bevelled head
The bevel design makes for an efficient assembly and removal. Insert into the hole and press the pin down. This engages the grommet, which causes the legs to expand and lock the rivet assembly firmly into position. Once the rivet assembly is installed, the head of the pin protrudes from the panel surface, but still provides a clean, finished look. It can also easily be removed. Available in:
- Nylon 6, operating temp. range: -40°F to 239°F, UL94 V-2
Download free CADs and try before you buy
Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download for free. You can also request free samples to ensure the solutions you’ve chosen are exactly what you need. If you’re not quite sure which push-in rivet will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you.
Whatever your requirements, you can depend on fast dispatch. Request your free samples or download free CADs now.
Questions?
Email us at sales@essentracomponents.com or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 800-847-0486.