A guide to snap rivets
What is a snap head rivet? This guide is designed to help you understand how to use snap rivets, the different types available, and the materials they’re made of. We’ll cover:
What are snap rivets?
Snap rivets are fasteners that typically consist of male and female pieces. As the name suggests, they’re designed to snap together to hold materials of the product you’re designing. They’re known by several different names, such as snap-on rivets, rivet snaps, snap head rivets, snap-together rivets and snap button rivets.
You can learn about all rivets in How to choose your plastic rivets: a quick guide.
How do snap rivets work?
A snap rivet is a fast and easy way to secure two panels to keep them in place. Using finger pressure, the male component of the snap head rivet is pushed through one hole to catch the female part.
Snap rivets are similar to push-in rivets. Most plastic snap rivets and push-in rivets do not require a tool for installation, unlike metal snap rivets. Push-in rivets are sometimes even called snap rivets, because they snap into place. Snap rivets are often called push-in rivets because they push into the holes of flat panels.
Push-in rivets come in different styles. Countersunk rivets can be push rivets, for example. All plastic rivets need a tool for removal. The screw rivet, which is typically used on vehicle bodywork, can be more difficult than most to remove, without damaging the surrounding material.
Where are snap rivets used?
A rivet snap is used in applications that need a strong joint and neat finish. You can get them pre-assembled for faster contact. Snap plastic rivets are commonly used for panel fastening on cabinets and enclosures, data and server racks, point of sale displays and signage and some furniture.
Types of snap rivets
Below are a range of examples. Notice the variety of nylon snap-on rivets, a common material for plastic fasteners.
Ideal choice for outdoor environments.
- Natural or black nylon 6/6 material rated UL94 V2, RMS-01
- Resists corrosion, oil, abrasion and most chemicals
- Male and female parts are packed and sold separately
- Temperature range: -40°F up to 185°F
Male/female pieces with low profiles. Both components have teeth that grip each other on contact to provide a secure hold.
- Modified nylon 6/6
- Ideal for rapid assembly and disassembly
- Also available: Pin and keeper parts for sign-fastening systems, Range of male tacks and button tacks made from acetal, and a female retainer made from UL94 V2 rated nylon 6/6
- Natural, black and white
- Resists corrosion, oil, abrasion and most chemicals
Tough snap rivets provide a strong and secure panel fastener connection.
- Quick and easy to install – simply insert the rivet into the panel hole and push the head down to fasten.
- Operating temperature range: -40°F up to 257°F
- Material: heat-stabilized nylon 6/6, UL94 V2, RMS-47
Reusable tough snap/push-in rivet
Easy to install for an exceptionally strong fastening of panels.
- Simply insert the rivet into the panel hole and push down
- Material: modified nylon 6/6, UL94 HB
- Operating temperature range: -40°F up to 185°F
Technically a push-in rivet, though often called a snap rivet.
- Fast installation and economical
- Specially designed legs that expand and firmly lock component parts permanently in place
- Neat, smooth appearance
- Black, tan, white, clear, and natural
- Materials available include:
– Nylon 6, -40°F up to 239°F, UL94 V2
– Nylon 6/66, -40°F up to 248°F, UL94 V0
– Nylon 6/6, -40°F up to 185°F, UL94 V2
– Nylon 4/6, -40°F up to 266°F, UL94 V2
Provides a solid connection by means of blind fixing.
- Fits with a simple push
- Ideal for panel fastening and server rack applications
- Material: polysulfone (PSU)
- Operating temperature range: 32°F up to 311°F, UL94 V1
Snap-together rivets – ratchet post & pin
Rivet assembly includes a male clip and a female washer.
- Male clip is ratcheted into female washer
- Ideal choice for corrugated panels
- Available in materials:
– Nylon 6/6, -40°F up to 185°F, UL94 V2
– LDPE with Polypropylene (PP) clip, -58°F up to 185°F, UL94 HB; UL94 V-0
Easy-to-install plastic snap rivets are ideal for flush fit.
- Tamper resistant design
- Accommodates countersunk hole specification DIN ISO 7721
- Material: nylon 6
- Operating temperature range: -40°F up to 239°F, UL94 V2
Grommet expands as pin is inserted to provide a tight fit. Suited for any application requiring a front-mount rivet.
- Available in 14 sizes
- Quick hand installation
- Materials available include:
– Acetal, -58°F up to 212°F, UL94 HB
– Glass-filled polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and acetal, -22°F up to 212°F, UL94 HB
– Polypropylene (PP) and acetal, -32°F up to 149°F, UL94 HB
Ideal for applications that require regular maintenance work, such as electrical equipment, metal enclosures, and telecommunications equipment. Assembly comprises of a plunger and grommet.
- Push grommet into the removable panel and then plunger into the grommet
- Pushing into the fixed panel locks rivet together
- Pull on the plunger to easily remove the non-fixed panel
- Plunger made from nylon 6
- Grommet made from polycarbonate (PC)
Snap rivet materials
Metal rivets are typically used in structural applications, such as bridges. But what plastics are rivet snap fasteners made of? For the purposes of this guide, we’ll look at common plastic materials and their effectiveness as snap head rivets.
Nylons
Nylon snap rivets are made in a range of nylons, and for good reason. Most nylons are very tough materials with good chemical and thermal resistance. The most common are nylon 6 and nylon 6/6, which you can learn more about in our guide, Nylon 6 vs. Nylon 6/6.
The first number of the nylon type, such as nylon 6/6, refers to the number of carbon atoms in the diamine. The second number is the quantity in the acid. Each type of nylon has its specific properties, which usually, but not always, reduce as the nylon number increases.
You can see examples in the tables below. A nylon 4/6 rivet snap has a higher melting point, but it also absorbs more water.
What are nylon characteristics?
| Characteristics | Nylon 6 | Nylon 6/6 | Nylon 4/6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Melting Point | 428°F | 500°F | 563°F |
| Moisture Absorption at Equilibrium (%) | 2.8 | 2.5 | 3.8 |
| Material Cost | $ | $$ | $$$ |
| Thermal properties | Nylon 6 | Nylon 6/6 | Nylon 4/6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crystalline Melting Point | 437°F | 500°F | 563°F |
| Heat Deflect Temperature | 149°F | 167°F | 320°F |
| Relative Thermal Index | 266°F | 266°F | 302°F |
| Mechanical without impact | 185°F | 185°F | 266°F |
| Mechanical with impact | 158°F | 167°F | 239°F |
Other plastic materials for snap rivets
Besides nylon, here are popular plastic materials used for snap head rivets.
Acetal (POM)
Also known as polyoxymethylene, or POM. Acetal is general-purpose thermoplastic, ideal when the snap rivet needs to be stiff. It also has low surface friction and good dimensional stability, so the rivet maintains its original dimensions when exposed to changing temperature and humidity.
Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate expands and contracts with extreme temperature changes. For this reason, it’s best to use polycarbonate snap-on rivets when riveting into another polycarbonate material. Otherwise, PC has tremendous strength and durability. It’s also lightweight, which is one reason why the automotive industry likes PC fasteners.
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE)
LDPE is a rare material for rivets and fasteners in general. It’s a flexible plastic, which is why it’s sometimes used for parts of snap rivets. LDPE offers excellent electrical insulation and moisture resistance. It has low tensile strength, yet high impact resistance. LDPE is one of the most economical materials available.
Polypropylene (PP)
PP is often used to make push-in rivets and sometimes parts in snap-on rivets. It gives rivets high flexural strength and moisture resistance. PP offers good chemical resistance, high tensile strength, and insulates against electricity. It has low density, making it similar to LDPE, which makes it lightweight and thus, another economical choice.
Polysulfone (PSU)
A high-performance thermoplastic, PSU gives snap head rivets excellent resistance to hot water and steam and good chemical resistance. Its stiffness and strength are just a few of the benefits of these snap rivets. PSU also has low moisture absorption and high thermal properties.
Glass-filled polybutylene terephthalate
By itself, PBT offers great electrical insulation and superior dimensional stability, meaning it resists environmental changes. It also has high strength and toughness. Add glass fibers and you have an exceptional snap rivet for strength and stiffness.
Download free CADs and try before you buy
Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download. You can also request free samples to make sure you’ve chosen the right snap rivet for what you need.
If you’re not quite sure which snap 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.