Aluminum Half Hollow Rivets

If your assembly needs the low‑force installation of a half hollow rivet – but weight matters more than cost – aluminum is the answer. At roughly one‑third the weight of steel, aluminum half hollow rivets are the lightest option in the half hollow rivet family. They are non‑magnetic, naturally corrosion‑resistant, and available in multiple alloys to match your strength requirements.

When every gram counts and you need a permanent, low‑force fastener, aluminum half hollow rivets are the logical choice.

Aluminum vs. Steel vs. Brass – Where Aluminum Wins

Choose aluminum when: Weight reduction is critical. The assembly must be non‑magnetic. Corrosion resistance is needed without plating. The application is drones, aerospace, portable equipment, sporting goods, or electronics.

1100 vs. 5052 vs. 5056 – Which Alloy Do You Need?

Choose 1100 for non‑structural applications where weight is critical and strength requirements are low – trim, enclosures, decorative assemblies.

Choose 5052 for general‑purpose lightweight assemblies where moderate strength and corrosion resistance are needed.

Choose 5056 for higher‑strength requirements, marine environments, and applications where maximum strength in a lightweight fastener is required.

Half Hollow Rivet vs. Solid Rivet – The Hollow That Changes Everything

The half hollow design reduces setting force by using less material at the tail – only the thin wall of the hollow section rolls outward during installation. Because only the hollow end expands, half hollow rivets are often used as pivot points.

Available Finishes

Head Styles – What We Offer

Aluminum half hollow rivets are available in six head styles:

One Real Application – Portable Electronics Enclosure

A manufacturer of portable electronic devices needed a lightweight, non‑magnetic fastener for assembling aluminum enclosures. The previous steel screws added unnecessary weight and were magnetic – interfering with sensitive internal components. Solid aluminum rivets provided the non‑magnetic property but required high setting force that distorted the thin enclosure walls.

We supplied 5052 aluminum half hollow rivets – 3.0mm shank, 5.5mm round head, 6.0mm barrel length, clear anodized finish. The aluminum rivets reduced fastener weight by 65% compared to steel. The non‑magnetic aluminum caused zero interference with internal electronics. The shallow cavity cut setting force by over 60% – no distortion to the thin enclosure walls. The anodized finish provided corrosion protection. The customer tested 1,000 rivets across 500 enclosures. After 10,000 assembly cycles, zero failures. They now order our half hollow rivets in batches of 200,000 pieces annually.

Manufacturing Process – Production Flow Chart

Sample lead time: 5–7 days standard; custom tooling: 15–20 days.

Our Inspection Equipment – How We Verify Quality

We maintain a full range of calibrated inspection equipment to verify every batch of aluminum half hollow rivets before shipment:

• Laser micrometer – High‑speed, non‑contact measurement of shank diameter and wall thickness to ±0.02mm accuracy.
• Optical comparator (profile projector) – Visual inspection of head profile, flange diameter, and overall shape.
• 2.5D image measuring system – Automated measurement of inner diameter, flange concentricity, and barrel length.
• Spectrometer – Material composition verification for 1100, 5052, or 5056 grade.
• Rockwell hardness tester – Raw material and finished product hardness verification.
• Salt spray test chamber – Corrosion resistance testing per ASTM B117 when required.

All equipment is calibrated annually by accredited third‑party laboratories. Inspection records are retained for five years and included with every shipment.

What Our Customers Say – Real Feedback

We let our customers speak for us. The images above show real feedback from manufacturers who have used our aluminum half hollow rivets in their production lines – from electronics manufacturers to drone builders to sporting goods brands.

They come back to us for the same reasons:

• Lightest weight – One‑third the weight of steel, minimal added mass
• Non‑magnetic – Zero interference with sensitive electronics
• Low‑force setting – 70% less force than solid rivets, protects thin materials
• Consistent quality – Every batch meets their dimensional and performance requirements
• Reliable delivery – Samples ship in 5–7 days, production on schedule

Three Questions We Answer Often

Q: "Are aluminum half hollow rivets and aluminum semi‑tubular rivets the same thing?"

A: Yes – they are the same product. Some customers call them half hollow rivets, others call them semi‑tubular rivets or half tubular rivets. Different names, same reliable fastener. We manufacture the same product under multiple names so you can find us regardless of which term you use.

Q: "Can I get samples before ordering production quantities?"

A: Yes – we offer samples for all our products. For standard existing specifications, samples are provided free of charge – you only pay the shipping cost. For custom sizes or custom tooling, sample availability and lead time depend on the specific requirements. Please contact our sales team with your drawing or specification, and they will advise on sample cost and delivery timeline.

Q: "What is the difference between 1100, 5052, and 5056 aluminum – which one should I choose?"

A: The difference is alloy composition and resulting strength. 1100 is pure aluminum – softest and most ductile. Use for non‑structural, decorative, and lightweight enclosure applications where strength is not critical. 5052 is a general‑purpose alloy with good strength and corrosion resistance – suitable for most applications. 5056 contains higher magnesium, giving it the highest tensile strength (280–350 MPa) and superior corrosion resistance – ideal for marine and high‑stress applications. For the electronics enclosure case above, the customer chose 5052 because it provided the right balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and light weight for a portable device housing.