Product Description

When a joint requires a perfectly smooth surface without protruding rivet heads, flat head half tubular rivets become the fastener of choice. These components combine the low-profile aesthetics of a countersunk head with the installation efficiency of a hollow-end design.

Nuote Metals has manufactured precision fasteners for over two decades. Our flat head half tubular rivets serve industries where surface smoothness matters—from aircraft interior panels to consumer electronics enclosures and architectural metalwork.

What Are Flat Head Half Tubular Rivets?

Flat head half tubular rivets feature a shallow hollow cavity at the tail end (typically 30–50% of the shank length) and a flat, low-profile head on the opposite side. The term “half tubular” indicates that the hollow depth is approximately half the total shank length.

The defining characteristic of flat head half tubular rivets is the head geometry. Unlike oval or round heads that stand proud of the surface, the flat head sits flush with or slightly below the material surface when properly installed.

This design delivers three distinct advantages:

Smooth exterior surfaces with no snag points

Lower setting force compared to solid rivets (typically 25–30% of solid rivet force)

Controlled material deformation during clinching

Different Head Types of Rivets Nuote Metals Make

Nuote Metals make rivets with different types of head, such as flat head rivets, round head rivets, countersunk head rivets, truss head rivets, mushroom head rivets etc.

1. Flat head rivets, including flat head solid rivets, flat head semi-tubular rivets, flat head tubular rivets.

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2. Round head rivets, including round head solid rivets and round head semi-tubular rivets.

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3. Countersunk head rivets, including countersunk head solid rivets, countersunk head semi-tubular rivets, countersunk head tubular rivets.

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4. Truss head rivets, including truss head solid rivets and truss head semi-tubular rivets.

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5. Mushroom head rivets, including mushroom head solid rivets and mushroom head semi-tubular rivets.

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Why Choose Flat Head Half Tubular Rivets Over Other Fastener Types?

Before reviewing technical specifications, consider where Nuote Metals recommends flat head half tubular rivets over alternatives:

Visible product surfaces where appearance matters (consumer goods, furniture, automotive interiors)

Aerodynamic or hydrodynamic applications where protruding heads create drag

Sliding or rolling contact surfaces where raised heads would interfere with movement

Thin materials that cannot withstand the high setting forces of solid rivets

Mass production environments requiring rapid, consistent installation

Comparison with Other Rivet Head Styles

Head Style	Surface Profile	Typical Application	Installation Force
Flat Head (Countersunk)	Flush or slightly below surface	Aircraft panels, electronics, architectural metalwork	Low (half tubular design)
Oval Head	Raised dome, 1.5–2mm proud	General industrial, machinery guards	Low (half tubular design)
Round Head	Full dome, 2–3mm proud	Heavy structural, load-bearing joints	Medium (half tubular) or High (solid)
Truss Head	Wide, shallow dome	Soft materials requiring larger bearing area	Low (half tubular design)

Detailed Product Parameters of Nuote Metals Flat Head Half Tubular Rivets

All flat head half tubular rivets from Nuote Metals are manufactured from low-carbon steel or aluminium, depending on application requirements. The flat head is designed to ISO 7823 countersunk head dimensions, ensuring compatibility with standard countersinking tools.

Material Specifications

Parameter	Low Carbon Steel	Aluminium (5056)
Base Material	Q195 / 1008–1010	5056 (Al-Mg alloy)
Carbon/Magnesium Content	≤0.10% C	4.5–5.6% Mg
Tensile Strength	400–500 MPa	280–350 MPa
Hardness (as-manufactured)	HRB 70–85	HRB 45–60
Head Style	Flat (countersunk)	Flat (countersunk)
Head Angle	90° or 100°	90° or 100°
Surface Finishes	Zinc plated, black oxide, phosphate	Clear anodised, colour anodised

Standard Dimensions

Nuote Metals manufactures flat head half tubular rivets in the following standard size range. Custom dimensions are available upon request.

Shank Diameter (mm)	Head Diameter (mm)	Head Height (mm)	Barrel Length Range (mm)	Hollow Depth (mm)	Grip Range (mm)
2.0	4.0	0.5	3.0 – 8.0	1.5 – 4.0	1.0 – 2.5
2.5	5.0	0.6	4.0 – 10.0	2.0 – 5.0	1.5 – 3.0
3.0	6.0	0.7	5.0 – 12.0	2.5 – 6.0	2.0 – 4.0
4.0	8.0	0.9	6.0 – 16.0	3.0 – 8.0	2.5 – 5.5
5.0	10.0	1.1	8.0 – 20.0	4.0 – 10.0	3.0 – 7.0
6.0	12.0	1.3	10.0 – 25.0	5.0 – 12.5	4.0 – 9.0
8.0	16.0	1.7	12.0 – 32.0	6.0 – 16.0	5.0 – 12.0

Tolerances: Shank diameter ±0.05mm, head diameter ±0.1mm, overall length ±0.15mm. Hollow depth is approximately 50% of barrel length for standard half tubular rivets.

Mechanical Performance Data (Steel, 3mm Diameter)

Parameter	Value
Single Shear Strength (Steel)	36,000 – 40,000 psi (250–275 MPa)
Tensile Pull-Out Force (Steel, 2mm grip)	180 – 220 kg (397–485 lbs)
Recommended Hole Size	Shank diameter + 0.010″ (0.25mm)
Recommended Countersink Depth	Head height + 0.05mm to 0.10mm
Setting Force (relative to solid rivet)	Approx. 28% of solid rivet force

Applications of Flat Head Half Tubular Rivets

Nuote Metals supplies flat head half tubular rivets to industries requiring flush surface finishes. Below are the most common use cases:

Aerospace and Aviation

Interior cabin panel fastening

Overhead storage bin assemblies

Galley equipment mounting

Seat track covers and trim panels

The flush finish prevents snagging on passenger clothing and reduces drag in airflow-sensitive areas.

Consumer Electronics

Laptop and tablet chassis assembly

Power supply enclosure fastening

Speaker grille mounting

Battery compartment closures

Flat head rivets allow thin-profile device designs without exposed fasteners.

Automotive Interiors

Door panel trim attachment

Dashboard component assembly

Seat belt anchor cover plates

Headliner support fastening

The smooth surface improves interior aesthetics and prevents damage to upholstery.

Architectural Metalwork

Handrail and balustrade assembly

Decorative metal panel fastening

Elevator interior trim

Exhibition stand construction

Flat head rivets create clean, professional visible joints.

Furniture Manufacturing

Metal chair and table frames (underside where head is visible)

Filing cabinet drawer fronts

Locking mechanism mounting plates

Decorative metal inlay fastening

Quality Assurance – EEAT in Practice

Nuote Metals demonstrates Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trust through documented manufacturing processes and verifiable quality data.

Experience in Precision Cold Heading

Our production facility has manufactured flat head half tubular rivets for more than 20 years. We operate high-speed cold heading machines with in-process dimension monitoring. Each rivet is formed in a single continuous process, ensuring consistent head geometry and concentric hollow depths.

Expertise in Countersunk Head Geometry

Flat head rivets require precise head angle control. Nuote Metals uses optical profile projectors to verify head angle (90° or 100° per customer specification) and head-to-shank concentricity. Our tolerance for head angle is ±1°, exceeding general industry standards.

Authoritativeness Through Compliance

Our flat head half tubular rivets are manufactured to:

ANSI/ASME B18.1.2 (Small Solid Rivets – Countersunk Head dimensions apply)

ISO 14581 (Countersunk flat head rivets)

ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Systems

RoHS compliance for electronics applications

Trust Through Documentation

Nuote Metals provides a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) with every shipment of flat head half tubular rivets, including:

Raw material certificate (mill test report)

Dimensional inspection log (head diameter, shank diameter, overall length, hollow depth)

Hardness test results (Rockwell scale)

Surface finish inspection record

Countersunk head angle verification

Installation Guide for Flat Head Half Tubular Rivets

Proper installation of flat head half tubular rivets requires attention to countersink preparation. Follow these steps from Nuote Metals:

Pre-Installation Preparation

Countersink the top hole using a drill or countersink bit matching the rivet head angle (90° or 100°)

Depth the countersink so the rivet head sits 0.05–0.10mm below the material surface

Drill the through hole to diameter = shank diameter + 0.25mm (0.010″)

Deburr both sides of the hole to ensure smooth rivet insertion

Installation Methods

Method 1 – Manual Rivet Setter with Flat Die

Insert the rivet through the prepared holes (head enters the countersunk side)

Place a flat-faced setter against the hollow tail

Strike the setter with a hammer to roll the tail outward

Stop when the tail forms a flat, even clinch

Method 2 – Pneumatic Press (Recommended for Production)

Use a rivet press with a flat anvil and adjustable depth stop

Apply controlled pressure until the hollow tail expands fully

Verify the head sits flush with or below the surface

Method 3 – Orbital Riveting (For Delicate Assemblies)

For electronics or thin materials, orbital (spin) riveting applies low radial force

This method minimises material stress and prevents head damage

Post-Installation Inspection

Run a finger across the rivet head – it should not catch or protrude

Check the clinched tail – it should be uniform, without cracks

Perform pull-test on sample rivets to verify clinch strength

Frequently Asked Questions About Flat Head Half Tubular Rivets

Below are the most common technical inquiries received by Nuote Metals regarding flat head half tubular rivets.

Q1: What is the difference between flat head half tubular rivets and standard solid flat head rivets? Why would I choose the half tubular version?

A: The fundamental difference is the hollow cavity in the tail of flat head half tubular rivets. Solid flat head rivets have no cavity and require high compressive force (using a bucking bar or rivet gun) to form the tail. Half tubular rivets require approximately 70–75% less setting force because only the thin wall of the hollow section needs to roll outward. This lower force translates to faster installation, reduced operator fatigue, and less risk of deforming thin or delicate materials. Additionally, half tubular rivets produce a more consistent clinch in mass production because the material displacement is predictable. Nuote Metals recommends flat head half tubular rivets for any application where the assembly includes thin sheet metal (under 2mm), plastics, or composites. Solid rivets are still preferred for extreme structural loads where maximum shear strength is the only priority.

Q2: How do I select the correct barrel length for flat head half tubular rivets when the material stack thickness varies across the assembly?

A: This is a common challenge in assemblies with stepped or tapered material stacks. The barrel length of flat head half tubular rivets must be sufficient to extend through the thickest portion of the material stack plus an additional 1.0–1.5mm for clinch formation. For variable thickness, Nuote Metals recommends one of two approaches. First, use the thickest material stack to determine barrel length – the rivet will still function in thinner sections, though the clinch may sit slightly higher. Second, for significant thickness variation (more than 2mm difference), consider using two different rivet lengths in different zones of the assembly. Our standard production tolerances allow barrel length variation of ±0.15mm, which accommodates normal manufacturing variation. For extreme cases, Nuote Metals offers stepped barrel designs where the hollow depth varies along the shank – contact our technical team for custom engineering.

Q3: Can flat head half tubular rivets be used in blind applications where I cannot access the tail side after assembly?

A: No. By definition, flat head half tubular rivets require access to both sides of the assembly. The head is installed from one side, and the tail must be accessible to apply the setting tool (hammer, press, or orbital riveter). For blind applications where only one side is accessible, Nuote Metals recommends blind rivets (also known as pop rivets) or self-piercing rivets. However, if you have a flat head requirement in a blind application, consider our flat head blind rivets (pull-type with countersunk head) – these are a different product family but achieve a similar flush finish. Contact Nuote Metals with your specific access constraints, and we will recommend the appropriate fastener type.

Q4: How does the head angle (90° vs 100°) affect the performance of flat head half tubular rivets?

A: The head angle determines how the rivet seats into the countersunk hole. Nuote Metals manufactures flat head half tubular rivets with either 90° or 100° head angles. The 90° head is the traditional standard for inch-system fasteners and remains common in North American industrial applications. The 100° head is specified by ISO and aerospace standards (e.g., NAS rivets) and provides a slightly shallower countersink, which reduces stress concentration around the hole. For most general applications, both angles function identically provided the countersink tool matches the rivet head angle. The critical rule is this: never mix angles. A 100° rivet in a 90° countersink will sit proud of the surface; a 90° rivet in a 100° countersink will sit below the surface but may rock or fail to seat properly. Nuote Metals clearly marks the head angle on all product packaging and certificates. When in doubt, request samples to verify fit.