New size in polymer-headed rivets

Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials

ISSN: 0003-5599

Article publication date: 1 April 2001

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Keywords

Citation

(2001), "New size in polymer-headed rivets", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 48 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2001.12848bad.013

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2001, MCB UP Limited


New size in polymer-headed rivets

New size in polymer-headed rivets

Keywords: SEAC, Rivets

Fastener specialist SEAC Ltd reports that it has added a 4mm diameter aluminium rivet with a moulded, self-coloured head to its Polytop range of polymer-headed rivets (Plate 8).

Polytop fasteners with self-masking heads are said to blend unobtrusively with base materials. As a result, they can reportedly be used in visible positions where ordinary fasteners would need extra finishing. These fasteners are said to be a cost-effective alternative to painted or capped rivets and can offer cost savings over other fastening systems. Because they fix and finish in one step, it is claimed they can cut production time and costs.

Plate 8 Polytop rivets from SEAC

Originally developed for joining pre-finished sheet metal in the manufacture of product casings and equipment enclosures, Polytop rivets are said to have been adopted for a wide variety of assembly tasks because they avoid the need for extra finishing.

The standard or multigrip 4mm diameter rivets are set in position with ordinary manual or automated rivet setting tools. Available in lengths from 10.5mm to 24.5mm, these fasteners have a 1.5mm to 20mm raw material grip range.

According to SEAC these rivets are not simply plastic-coated. The heads are encapsulated by a high-precision polymer profile injection moulded on to them. The material used is Acetal, which is resistant to most chemicals including petrol and alkalis. In some applications, Polytop rivets will provide a better seal against dust, gases and liquids than standard fasteners.

In addition to sheet metal assembly, such as industrial panelling, polymer-headed rivets reportedly offer benefits in the production of commercial vehicles, buses and coaches, electrical engineering, metal cabinets and enclosures, and white goods.

Details available from: SEAC Ltd. Tel: +44 (0)116 273 9501; Fax: +44 (0)116 273 8373.

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