Rivets: Steel or Aluminum?

OkieRocket · 10-10-2020, 09:42 PM

I have an Old Super Stock Car and am redoing it for ET Racing. Although it won't be a Super Stock Class Car, I was hoping you guys could give me some pointers, as I trust your opinions.......
I just finished up redoing the rear Aluminum and Steel sheet metal Panels in my 1970 442 Drag Car. (New Steel Tubs, Steel 18ga. Panels around rear seat and 4-link areas & Driveshaft Tunnel areas, Aluminum 18ga. Panels on floor of trunk around fuel cell, etc.
My question is concerning the proper "Rivets" to use on these areas?....Steel or Aluminum? I am using 1/8" dia. Rivets.
Where should I use Aluminum Rivets and where should Steel Rivets be used?....Or, Do you just go with only "One" Material on the Rivets.
Your Comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Harold

Mark Yacavone · 10-10-2020, 11:27 PM

I wouldn't use aluminum on a race car ..Too much vibration.
A pound or two isn't going to hurt you.

Tom Goldman · 10-11-2020, 09:01 AM

Steel only .
aluminum rivets will quickly loosen from vibration and then wallow out the hole .
Always use the correct length rivet for the thickness of the material and never join aluminum to aluminum without a backing washer if you want it to last.
I also use larger diameter head rivets in high stress areas.

OkieRocket · 10-11-2020, 01:10 PM

Thanks for the great information! You guys know your stuff.
The only real reason I had thought about going with Aluminum Rivets at all, was that I understand they are very resistant to corrosion. I'm not really too concerned about "weight" at this point.
I knew Steel Rivets would be stronger, but read that they are the most prone to corrosion, especially if they are underneath the Car and subject to moisture (i.e., from the burn out box, etc.). I was also concerned that in the places where I had a painted Steel Panel mating to an Aluminum Panel, there might be a chance of galvanic corrosion, due to the dis-similar metals??.......Not sure if this is a real issue, or if the Steel Rivets are available in a "coated" or "plated" version to prevent the corrosion issue of a Steel Rivet?.......I may be a little mixed up on my thinking? .......I just don't want to have to "re-do" the entire job down the road, because I used the "wrong" Rivets.
Any ideas on the Steel Rivet "corrosion" concerns.
Thanks again guys!
Harold

axman · 10-12-2020, 12:39 PM

They also make stainless rivets..

Jim Caughlin · 10-12-2020, 12:50 PM

I use SS rivets but they are hell on rivet guns, rips the jaws out of them. If you are going to use them, buy a good quality rivet gun and assume it will not last forever.

Jim Caughlin
SS6019

SSDiv6 · 10-12-2020, 01:54 PM

If you use pop rivets often, this tool is a great investment.

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...?clickkey=5418

OkieRocket · 10-13-2020, 06:03 PM

THANKS for all of the great information! I really appreciate you guys....The true Racers!

House of Darts · 10-13-2020, 10:38 PM

Dissimilar metals cause electrolysis. You can screw up your project.

FireSale · 10-14-2020, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by House of Darts

Dissimilar metals cause electrolysis. You can screw up your project.

Yes, but this is more true of stainless steel and aluminum than regular carbon steel and aluminum. Water must be in contact with both metals to create this "battery" effect so I don't really think it's an issue with a race car. Using aluminum rivets on the aluminum panels would mean trading the risk of corrosion for the risk of vibration failure.

10-10-2020, 09:42 PM	#1
OkieRocket Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 41 Likes: 12 Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Rivets: Steel or Aluminum? I have an Old Super Stock Car and am redoing it for ET Racing. Although it won't be a Super Stock Class Car, I was hoping you guys could give me some pointers, as I trust your opinions....... I just finished up redoing the rear Aluminum and Steel sheet metal Panels in my 1970 442 Drag Car. (New Steel Tubs, Steel 18ga. Panels around rear seat and 4-link areas & Driveshaft Tunnel areas, Aluminum 18ga. Panels on floor of trunk around fuel cell, etc. My question is concerning the proper "Rivets" to use on these areas?....Steel or Aluminum? I am using 1/8" dia. Rivets. Where should I use Aluminum Rivets and where should Steel Rivets be used?....Or, Do you just go with only "One" Material on the Rivets. Your Comments and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Harold

10-10-2020, 11:27 PM	#2
Mark Yacavone Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Miles From Nowhere Posts: 7,414 Likes: 2,581 Liked 4,447 Times in 1,693 Posts	Re: Rivets: Steel or Aluminum? I wouldn't use aluminum on a race car ..Too much vibration. A pound or two isn't going to hurt you. __________________ We are lucky we don't get as much Government as we pay for..... Will Rogers

10-11-2020, 09:01 AM	#3
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,436 Likes: 776 Liked 700 Times in 204 Posts	Re: Rivets: Steel or Aluminum? Steel only . aluminum rivets will quickly loosen from vibration and then wallow out the hole . Always use the correct length rivet for the thickness of the material and never join aluminum to aluminum without a backing washer if you want it to last. I also use larger diameter head rivets in high stress areas. __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

10-11-2020, 01:10 PM	#4
OkieRocket Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 41 Likes: 12 Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Rivets: Steel or Aluminum? Thanks for the great information! You guys know your stuff. The only real reason I had thought about going with Aluminum Rivets at all, was that I understand they are very resistant to corrosion. I'm not really too concerned about "weight" at this point. I knew Steel Rivets would be stronger, but read that they are the most prone to corrosion, especially if they are underneath the Car and subject to moisture (i.e., from the burn out box, etc.). I was also concerned that in the places where I had a painted Steel Panel mating to an Aluminum Panel, there might be a chance of galvanic corrosion, due to the dis-similar metals??.......Not sure if this is a real issue, or if the Steel Rivets are available in a "coated" or "plated" version to prevent the corrosion issue of a Steel Rivet?.......I may be a little mixed up on my thinking? .......I just don't want to have to "re-do" the entire job down the road, because I used the "wrong" Rivets. Any ideas on the Steel Rivet "corrosion" concerns. Thanks again guys! Harold

10-12-2020, 12:39 PM	#5
axman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Posts: 3 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Rivets: Steel or Aluminum? They also make stainless rivets..

10-12-2020, 12:50 PM	#6
Jim Caughlin Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Woodburn, Or Posts: 635 Likes: 70 Liked 693 Times in 208 Posts	Re: Rivets: Steel or Aluminum? I use SS rivets but they are hell on rivet guns, rips the jaws out of them. If you are going to use them, buy a good quality rivet gun and assume it will not last forever. Jim Caughlin SS6019

10-12-2020, 01:54 PM	#7
SSDiv6 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Glendale, Arizona Posts: 2,991 Likes: 693 Liked 1,457 Times in 543 Posts	Re: Rivets: Steel or Aluminum? If you use pop rivets often, this tool is a great investment. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...?clickkey=5418

10-13-2020, 06:03 PM	#8
OkieRocket Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 41 Likes: 12 Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Rivets: Steel or Aluminum? THANKS for all of the great information! I really appreciate you guys....The true Racers!

10-13-2020, 10:38 PM	#9
House of Darts Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 346 Likes: 19 Liked 20 Times in 15 Posts	Re: Rivets: Steel or Aluminum? Dissimilar metals cause electrolysis. You can screw up your project.