Why Are Brass Tubular Rivets the Preferred Choice for Electrical, Decorative, and High-Volume Assemblies?

A brass tubular rivet is a permanent fastener with a pre-formed head and a shank that is either partially hollow (semi-tubular) or fully hollow (tubular). During installation, the hollow portion rolls outward, creating a second head that clamps materials together.

The brass material adds three advantages that steel, aluminum, and stainless steel cannot match together:

Conductivity: 28% IACS—sufficient for electrical terminals and grounding points

Aesthetics: Natural warm gold color that develops a rich patina or can be lacquered to stay bright

Machinability: Excellent formability for rolling thin walls without cracking

Semi-Tubular vs. Full Tubular – Which Configuration?

Our rule: Choose semi-tubular when the joint carries light to moderate load or requires electrical continuity. Choose full tubular for purely decorative attachments or very soft materials where minimal setting force is essential.

Material Grade – C2680 Yellow Brass

At Nuote Metals, we manufacture brass tubular rivets exclusively from C2680 yellow brass. This alloy provides the optimal balance of ductility, strength, and cost.

C2680 offers good machinability, excellent cold-forming properties, and resists dezincification better than lower-copper brasses.

Technical Specifications – Shank Diameter & Length

The two critical dimensions for brass tubular rivets are shank diameter and barrel length. Below are our standard ranges.

Standard Size Range

Tolerances

Two Applications from Our Factory Records

Electrical Terminal Blocks (Semi-Tubular, 3 mm Shank)

Problem: A manufacturer of industrial terminal blocks needed a conductive, solderable fastener to connect wire lugs to the block. Screws loosened under vibration; push-on connectors corroded. The joint required both mechanical strength and electrical continuity.

Our solution: We supplied tin-plated C2680 brass semi-tubular rivets with a 3 mm shank and 5 mm barrel length. The tin plating ensured excellent solderability and prevented surface oxidation. The semi-tubular design set with low force, and the hollow tail was rolled over the wire lug to create a permanent mechanical and electrical joint.

Result: The customer eliminated a secondary screw and reduced assembly time by 15 seconds per terminal block. Contact resistance measured below 0.5 mΩ after 1,000 thermal cycles.

Premium Leather Belts (Full Tubular, 4 mm Shank)

Problem: A European leather goods brand needed a decorative, corrosion-resistant rivet for belt construction. The leather was 3.5 mm thick vegetable-tanned hide. Solid rivets cracked the leather; steel rivets tarnished and stained the hide.

Our solution: We supplied lacquered C2680 brass full tubular rivets with a 4 mm shank and 8 mm barrel length. The lacquer prevented tarnishing and kept the bright gold finish. The full tubular design set with minimal force, eliminating cracking entirely. The brass color matched the belt buckles perfectly.

Result: The rejection rate dropped from 2.5% to below 0.2%. The brand has used these rivets for over three years with zero field complaints.

Available Finishes for Brass Tubular Rivets

All finishes are RoHS compliant.

Brass Tubular Rivets – FAQ

Q1: What is the difference between brass tubular rivets and brass semi-tubular rivets?

A: The difference is the depth of the hollow section. A brass tubular rivet (also called full tubular) is hollow throughout the entire shank. A brass semi-tubular rivet has a hollow cavity extending only 45–55% of the shank length from the tail; the remaining section is solid. Semi-tubular rivets offer higher shear strength (80–90% of solid) and are suitable for electrical terminals and light structural joints. Full tubular rivets provide lower strength (60–70% of solid) but require even less setting force, making them ideal for decorative attachments and soft materials. At Nuote Metals, we manufacture both configurations in C2680 brass. Tell us your application and we will recommend the right one.

Q2: Can brass tubular rivets be used for electrical grounding?

Yes. Brass offers approximately 28% IACS electrical conductivity—sufficient for many grounding, terminal, and low-current applications. For higher current capacity, consider copper tubular rivets (100% IACS). When using brass tubular rivets for electrical connections, we recommend tin-plated finishes to maintain low contact resistance over time and prevent surface oxidation. The hollow tail can be rolled around a wire or terminal lug to create a permanent mechanical and electrical joint. At Nuote Metals, we supply tin-plated brass tubular rivets specifically for PCB terminals, grounding studs, and switch contacts.

Q3: What is the MOQ and lead time for brass tubular rivets from Nuote Metals?

A: Our standard MOQ is 20,000 pieces for stock sizes. For first orders or sample runs, we accommodate lower quantities. We provide free samples for stocked sizes—you pay only the courier charge. Lead time: 3–5 days for stock sizes; 15–25 days for non-standard sizes (including custom tooling). Every batch includes a material certificate and dimensional inspection report. We have supplied brass tubular rivets to customers in over 70 countries. ISO 9001:2015 certified.