Truss Head Half Tubular Rivets

When the application involves oversized holes, soft materials, or thin substrates, a standard rivet head may not provide enough surface area to prevent pull‑through. The truss head half tubular rivet features an extra‑wide, low‑profile dome—typically 2.2 to 2.8 times the shank diameter—that distributes clamping force over a larger area. Combined with a semi‑hollow cavity that reduces setting force by up to 70%, this rivet is the preferred choice for plastics, composites, and thin‑gauge metals.

Nuote Metals manufactures truss head half tubular rivets in low‑carbon steel, stainless steel (304/316), aluminum, and brass using high‑speed cold heading. This guide presents two real‑world case studies, complete technical specifications, and our transparent quality policies.

Real‑World Applications of Our Rivets

Case 1 – Stainless Steel Locking Mechanism Assembly

A manufacturer of industrial padlocks needed a rivet that would secure the internal locking plate without cracking the zinc‑die‑cast body. We supplied 304 stainless truss head half tubular rivets (4mm diameter, 6mm barrel length). The extra‑wide 9mm head bridged a large clearance hole and prevented the rivet from pulling through under 300 N of repeated latch force. After 50,000 cycle tests, none had loosened. The customer credited the truss head design for eliminating a secondary washer.

Case 2 – Aluminum Garden Fence Panel Connection

A residential fencing company required a lightweight, corrosion‑resistant fastener to join aluminum pickets to horizontal rails. We recommended aluminum truss head half tubular rivets (5mm diameter, 10mm barrel length) with a clear anodized finish. The wide 11mm head sat flush against the thin aluminum tube, preventing dimpling. The semi‑hollow cavity allowed hand‑setting with a manual squeezer. After two years of outdoor exposure, no rivets showed galvanic corrosion or loosening.

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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Would you like to know how a rivet is produced? just check this video.

Technical Parameters

We produce these rivets from multiple materials. All dimensions are verified by optical sorting.

Material Options and Properties

Standard Dimensional Range (Steel, Stainless, Aluminum, Brass)

Tolerances: Shank dia ±0.05mm, head dia ±0.20mm, head height ±0.10mm, length ±0.15mm.

Mechanical Properties (5mm Steel, Set into 2mm Aluminum Sheet)

Our Seven‑Step Production Process

We follow a disciplined workflow for every batch of truss head half tubular rivets.

1. Material Sourcing – We purchase certified wire or rod from approved mills. Each coil has a heat number for full traceability.

2. Material Inspection – Incoming material is tested with a spectrometer and tensile tester. We verify diameter and surface condition.

3. Tooling Customization or Setup – For new dimensions, we design carbide cold‑heading dies (lead time 15–25 days). For standard sizes, our technicians install and align existing tooling.

4. First Article Inspection – The cold header runs 50 sample rivets. We measure head diameter, head height, shank diameter, total length, and cavity depth. A full FAI report is sent to you for approval.

5. Mass Production – Upon approval, we run at 200–400 pieces per minute. In‑process checks occur every 2,000 pieces for critical dimensions.

6. Subcontracted Plating or Anodizing (if required) – For steel, stainless, or aluminum parts, we send batches to our certified partners. Coating thickness is verified by XRF or eddy current.

7. Final Outgoing Inspection – We use optical sorting machines to inspect 100% of parts for head geometry, length, and cavity depth. An AQL sample (Level II, 1.0) is pulled for shear testing. A Certificate of Conformance accompanies every shipment.

Quality Assurance and Certifications

Our production of truss head half tubular rivets is supported by:

Certification Scope

ISO 9001:2015 Quality management system

RoHS (2011/65/EU) Compliance for all materials

REACH SVHC declaration

IATF 16949 Available for automotive projects

Each shipment includes:

Mill test certificate (material chemistry and hardness)

Dimensional inspection report (10 pcs per batch)

Plating or anodizing certificate (if applicable)

Signed Certificate of Conformance

Transparent Policies

• Sample policy – 20 free pieces for any standard size (customer pays shipping)
• Minimum order quantity – 2,000 pieces for steel/brass; 3,000 for stainless; 5,000 for aluminum
• Lead time – 7–10 business days for stocked sizes; 15–20 days for custom dimensions
• Tooling charges – None for standard diameters and head styles
• Return policy – Defective parts replaced at no cost

Nuote Metals does not charge for re‑sampling if first articles fail to meet your drawing tolerances.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: When should I choose a truss head half tubular rivet over a universal head or round head rivet?

A: Choose the truss head when you need the widest possible bearing surface with the lowest profile. The truss head diameter is 2.2–2.8 times the shank diameter, compared to 1.6–1.8 for round head and 2.0–2.2 for universal head. Its head height is also the lowest (about 25–30% of head diameter). This makes truss head half tubular rivets ideal for brittle materials (plastics, fiberglass, composites), oversized holes, or applications where the rivet will be covered by another layer. For example, our case study with aluminum fence panels used the truss head to avoid dimpling the thin tube.

Q2: Can truss head half tubular rivets be used in outdoor environments with aluminum and steel together?

A: Yes, but you must manage galvanic corrosion. When an aluminum rivet is used with a steel structure (or vice versa), moisture creates a galvanic cell. We recommend three solutions: (1) use a nylon or rubber isolating washer under the head and tail, (2) apply a thick powder coating or anodized layer on the aluminum rivet, or (3) use 316 stainless rivets with aluminum and accept a small galvanic potential (acceptable in dry climates). For our outdoor fence case, we used aluminum rivets with aluminum rails—no galvanic issue. If you must join aluminum to steel, please contact our engineering team for specific recommendations.

Q3: What is the maximum grip range for truss head half tubular rivets in aluminum? Can you make longer barrels?

A: Our standard aluminum truss head half tubular rivets have barrel lengths up to 20mm for 5mm diameter, providing grip up to 7mm. For thicker stacks, we offer custom barrel lengths up to 30mm (for 6mm and 8mm diameters). However, aluminum is softer than steel, so very long barrels may deform during setting. We recommend limiting grip to 2.5× shank diameter for aluminum. For thicker aluminum assemblies, consider solid rivets or use steel rivets with isolating washers. Provide your exact stack thickness, and we will calculate the optimal barrel length.

Why Choose Us for Truss Head Half Tubular Rivets

In‑house cold heading – full control from wire to finished rivet

Standard sizes from 3mm to 8mm in steel, stainless, aluminum, brass

100% optical sorting for head geometry and cavity depth

Free sample program – test setting before production

Full traceability – MTC, CoC, and coating reports with every order

Contact Nuote Metals today to request a sample pack or a compliance package for your truss head half tubular rivets project.