Rivet Head Styles and Standard Head Markings
We carry a commercial equivalent line of Military Standard rivets and Army Navy Specifications rivets for all standard rivet head styles and markings. For more information, use the chart below, or call us today.
Rivet Head Styles
Head style is an important consideration when choosing a rivet. Some rivet heads project out from the surface of a part after installation, where others lay flat or flush with a surface. Head type is especially important for applications where drag and wind resistance are determining factors, or when the rivets are being installed on moving parts.- Round Head Rivets: are the most commonly used type of rivet and feature a dome shaped head and a flat bearing surface. This head style sits higher on the surface than other rivet styles.
- 100° Countersunk Rivets: countersunk rivet with 100° head. This aerodynamic rivet style sits flush with a material or part surface once installed and are frequently used for applications involving moving or rotating parts. The length measurement for this rivet style includes the head and tail or shaft.
- 90° Countersunk Rivets: features an aerodynamic 90° head that sits flush with a part or material surface for aesthetics or to prevent the rivet from catching on moving or rotating parts. The head of the rivet in included in the length measurement.
- Universal Head Rivets: this style has a slightly rounded head with a lower profile than standard round head rivets.
- Flat Head Rivets: have a head that lays flat on the part or material surface.
- Brazier Head Rivets: button head rivets that feature a wide, shallow head that provides a larger bearing surface under the head for greater resistance to pull through.
- Modified Brazier Head Rivets: button head rivets that feature a lower profile head design than full brazier head rivets.
Rivet Head Markings
Since solid rivets are produced in a range of materials that, special markings are placed on the head of a rivet to help identify the type of alloy used. This is important because rivet materials are chosen based on unique properties such as corrosion resistance of yield strength that are required by the intended application.- No mark (alloy code A): 1100 or 3003 pure aluminum
- Dimple (alloy code AD): 2117 aluminum alloy
- Raised dot (alloy code D): 2017 aluminum alloy
- Raised double dash (alloy code DD): 2024 aluminum alloy
- Raised cross (alloy code B): 5056 aluminum alloy
- Raised circle (alloy code E): 7050 aluminum alloy
- Raised double dimples (M): Monel steel
- Recessed triangle: carbon steel
- F: corrosion resistant steel
- C: copper
Rivet Codes
Various codes are used to specify rivet material type, head type, diameter, length and industry specifications. See the information below for an overview of the codes used for our products and in our Rivet Identification Chart.Here is a quick overview of how to identify the different parts of a rivet numbering system:
Example: AN-470-AD-4-8 rivet
1. The first set of letters and numbers refers to the industry specification (military standard):
- AN - When these two letters precede numbers, they indicate Army and Navy Specifications.
- MS - When these two letters precede numbers, they indicate Military Standard Specifications.
- 470=universal head, 430= round head, etc.
- =1100(2S) Aluminum, AD=2117-Aluminum Alloy, F=Corrosion Resistant Steel, etc.
- The diameter of a rivet is indicated in 32nds of an inch. 4=4/32" or 1/8", 12=12/32" or 3/8", etc.
- The length of a rivet is indicated in 16ths of an inch: 8=8/16" or 1/2", 10=10/16" or 5/8", etc.