A rivet is a pin-shaped fastener used to join two parts (or components) that feature through-holes and have a head at one end. During the riveting process, the parts being joined are secured either through the rivet's own deformation or via an interference fit. Rivets come in a wide variety of types and forms.
Common types include R-type rivets, fan rivets, blind rivets (including pop rivets and drive rivets), tree-type rivets, as well as those with semi-round, flat, countersunk, semi-hollow, hollow, or solid heads. These typically join the workpieces by undergoing plastic deformation themselves. Generally, rivets smaller than 8 millimeters in diameter are installed using cold riveting, while those larger than this size are installed using hot riveting. However, there are exceptions; for instance, the nameplates found on certain locks are secured by utilizing the interference fit between the rivet and the hole in the lock body.
