RIVET MATERIALS AL U MIN U M ALLOYS We will consider the six most common rivet alloys. There are more.

The type of aluminum alloydetermines where the rivet is to be used. Alloys are identified by a letter in the rivet part number and physically by a head marking stamped on the rivet head. An Aluminum Associationnumber also identifies the basic alloy. The aluminum association number applies to all forms of aluminum alloys and not just aluminum alloy rivets. Aluminum Alloy Rivet Identification Rivet Material Pt No Code HeadMarking 110050562117201720247050ABADDDDEPlainRaised CrossDimpledRaised DotDouble DashRaised Circle 11 00 (A) Rivets. 1100 is pure aluminum and technically not an alloy because there is no alloyingelement. Rivets made from this material are non-heat treatable (they can not be made harder using heat). They are soft (approximately 15,000 psi tensile strength) and may be driven assupplied. They are used for non-structural applications only.For example to hold rubber seals in place, install interior furnishings, etc. 5056 (B) Rivets. 5056 is aluminum with a major alloying element of 5 % Magnesium and small percentages of other elements. Because magnesium is a

very "active" metal, Magnesium alloystructures are extremely prone to galvanic corrosion. B rivets are used in such structure tominimize the dissimilar metal effect that would exist when using any of the 2000 (copper) seriesrivets. B rivets are soft enough to be driven as supplied. They are non-heat treatable. 2 11 7 (AD) Rivets. 2117 is aluminum with a major alloying element of 2.6 % Copper and a small percentage of another element. AD rivets are probably the most commonly used fasteners ingeneral aircraft structures. Their strength (approx. 27,000 psi) and resistance to corrosion isgood. They come in a heat-treated condition and are still soft enough to be driven as supplied. 20 1 7 (D) Rivets. 2017 is aluminum with a major alloying element of 4 % copper and small percentages of other elements. If AD rivets are not quite strong enough then 2017 D rivets areavailable with a strength of approx. 30,000 psi. However, the larger sizes are too hard to bedriven "as supplied"and require Solution Heat Treatment before installation. The smaller sizes(under 5/32" diameter) can be "driven hard" in the "as received" condition to produce extrastrength. D rivets are used where intermediate strength between 2117 and 2024rivets isrequired. 2024 (DD) Rivets. 2024 is aluminum with a major alloying element of 4.4% copper and small percentages of other elements. Until recent times, these were the strongest solid rivets incommon use (approx. 35,000 psi). Typically, they are found installed in high-strength (e.g. 7075aluminum alloy) primary structure or highly stressed, heavier gauge parts. All

DD Rivets are toohard to be driven as supplied and require Solution Heat Treatment prior to installation. 7050 (E) Rivets. 7050 is aluminum with a major alloying element of 6.2% Zinc and smaller percentages of other elements. The 7050 E rivet is the strongest rivet available (approx. 46,000 psi). It has the additional advantage of being soft enough to be driven in the as suppliedcondition, i.e. no heat treatment required. For this reason, they are fast replacing both D andDD rivets. However, E rivets must be procured in exact lengths required as cutting to sizecauses work hardening and prevents correct installation. Ice-Box Rivets. This is a term often used to describe 2117 (D) and 2024 (DD) rivets. It refers to the practice of storing these rivets refrigerated to delay the natural age hardening process that takes place after solution heat treatment. If rivets are used immediately following the heat treatment quench, theywill remain soft enough to be driven for approx. 20-30 min. However, if after the quench they are immediately transferred to the freezer, the age hardening process is delayed up to 30 days.On removal from the freezer and returning to room temperature the aging process recommencesand rivets should be driven without delay.