Posted on December 8, 2025 Kyle Salem Aerospace Parts
Fasteners have a decisive impact on safety and performance across many installations, with some being expected to withstand extreme strain, vibration, and environmental challenges. No matter the intended application, achieving this reliability demands meticulous quality assurance and careful testing during production. This blog will examine what goes into making dependable rivets specifically, covering some of the most prominent standards that govern their manufacturing and the types of testing that often take place.
Quality assurance in rivet manufacturing is anchored in several internationally recognized standards that specify mechanical requirements, testing procedures, material classifications, and quality management expectations. These include:
ASTM F606 is governed by ASTM International–formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials–outlining standardized test methods for the mechanical properties of fasteners. In particular, it covers proof load verification, tensile and shear testing, hardness measurements, and rotational capacity assessments, which validate that rivets and other components possess adequate characteristics for structural use.
ASTM F3329 specifically defines material and mechanical properties for carbon and alloy steel rivets. With pointed purpose of guaranteeing consistent metallurgical quality and mechanical performance across production batches, this specification details:
ASTM B117 sets forth procedures for salt spray testing. Although not rivet-specific, this method is a common test to evaluate surface coatings, plating thickness, and corrosion resistance treatments applied to fasteners that are intended for corrosive environments.
From the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 9001 sets forth general requirements for quality management systems across industries, encompassing process control, documentation, continuous improvement, and customer assurance. As such, many rivet and fastener manufacturers hold ISO 9001 certification to demonstrate their commitment to presenting quality, authentic products.
The following evaluations are not only mandated or recommended under the aforementioned standards, but they also ensure consistent quality across production lots. Aside from helping manufacturers create compliant products for different industries, rivets that successfully pass these assessments will be far less prone to installation and service failures.
Unlike threaded fasteners, rivets are not installed by torque; therefore, conventional torque-tension or rotational-capacity testing does not apply. Rivets achieve their holding capability through plastic deformation of the shank or mandrel, meaning quality assurance focuses on this occurring in a predictable, repeatable manner without premature cracking or other irregularities. This being said, manufacturers will assess parameters like:
For blind rivets in particular, mandrel break load testing will also be performed to confirm that the mandrel separates at the correct load level during installation.
Hardness is a direct measure of a rivet’s material strength and resilience against deformation, with the expected thresholds varying based on the alloy and heat treatment used, along with the fastener’s intended application. Two main methods serve to evaluate this:
In addition, rivet samples from each production lot may be subjected to tensile and shear tests through the use of universal testing machines or specialized fixtures that simulate the forces experienced in real-world assemblies. Tensile tests measure the rivet’s resistance to being pulled apart along its axis, whereas shear tests evaluate the rivet’s ability to accommodate forces applied perpendicular to its shank.
Even the strongest rivet can fail if it succumbs to corrosion, so testing how much it can withstand is especially essential for those meant to be placed in outdoor, marine, or other corrosive environments. Corrosion resistance starts with deliberate choices for alloys, protective coatings, and passivation treatments, which are then validated through rigorous inspection and testing to confirm operability.
A standard method for assessing corrosion resistance is the aforementioned salt spray testing, which exposes rivets to a controlled saline fog environment to simulate long-term exposure to corrosive conditions. In addition to salt spray, humidity chambers, cyclic corrosion testing, or purposeful exposure to specific chemicals might be used depending on the rivet’s intended service environment.
Lastly, manufacturers may carry out dimensional inspections on rivets using calipers, gauges, or coordinate measuring machines, as well as metallurgical analyses to check their microstructure, hardness, and material composition. In addition, non-destructive testing (NDT) may also be employed to detect subsurface defects or dimensional inconsistencies. Altogether, these types of tests go the extra mile in verifying that rivets meet all mechanical and quality expectations.
As covered, the aforementioned criteria and evaluations contribute to rivets that can be trusted to uphold the safety of critical structures. The quality of a rivet will always depend on a manufacturer’s adherence to expected protocols, so if you are seeking trustworthy options for your next project, look no further than those featured on ASAP Semiconductor.
On our website, you can access an extensive inventory of top-notch fasteners and other part types from reputable manufacturers who place quality and compliance at the forefront of their operations. Furthermore, our offerings cover a wide array of industry needs, from standard commercial options to those certified for aerospace use. To learn more about how we can serve as your go-to procurement partner, explore our selection and connect with our team at your earliest convenience.
Share
We hope that you will visit us again the next time you need board-level components, aviation and aerospace parts, and more. Allow us to serve as your strategic purchasing partner.
Request for Quote