Understanding Pop® Rivets and Huck® Magna-Lok® Rivet.

When do you select a Huck® rivet over a Pop® rivet? Does one have an advantage over the other? What type of rivet gun can I use to install a Huck? These are some of the most common questions customers ask when comparing Huck® rivets to Pop® rivets. Selecting the right rivet starts with knowing the applications. Both are classified as blind rivets and sub-categorised into structural rivets or standard rivets. Huck® MagnaLok® are structural rivets engineered for higher-strength, vibration-resistant applications and require specialised tool. Pop® rivets, by comparison, are general-purpose fasteners  - they provide a moderate-strength solution for light-duty fabrication. 

Huck structural rivets are the ideal choice for applications requiring a strong, vibration-resistant fastening solution, such as the assembly of utility vehicles, utes, trucks, trains, truck trailers, security fencing, and many other heavy-duty assemblies. These type of rivets can be installed using a special rivet gun or a Huck® gun with the correct nose assembly. See the image on the right for the anatomy of a typical Huck® rivet.

Pop® rivets are general-purpose fasteners for everyday tasks, offering an easy and fast solution for light fabrication. An economical option when heavy duty structural strength rivets are not required. These rivets require a standard rivet gun for their installation. In this article we will present their key differences and their application. Looking for an all-in-one rivet supply? Aerobolt® is the go-to authorised distributor for all your riveting requirements from high performing Huck® rivets through to general purpose Pop® rivets along with a wide range of professional riveting tools. Contact us when seeking riveting supplies, application advice and value with an award-winning level of customer service. 

What are Pop® rivets?

Pop® rivets are predominantly an open-end blind rivets that is used in light sheet metal fabrication. A good solution to fasten components with a properly prepared hole and well identified material thickness. Open end rivets means the rivet body is hollow i.e. "open end tube" (body). They are the most common rivet type on the market and used in metal roofing and guttering, doors and windows, garden sheds and garages, HVAC and numerous other applications around the home from DIY projects to repairs.   

What are Huck® rivets?

Huck Magna-Lok® rivet is the go-to structural rivet option when seeking a strong vibration resistant solution in heavy duty applications such as the fabrication of utility vehicles, utes, trucks, trains, truck trailers & more. Magna-Lok is a multi-grip rivet which means they are flexible with material depth, their versatility means they fit a wider range of material grips so that if the application material depth differs, the rivet will most probably accommodate the change.

Understanding the difference between a Huck® and Pop® Rivet

When pop rivets are assembled the steel core mandrel breaks off leaving a hollow rivet body, whilst a Huck® rivet retains a portion of the mandrel providing a solid rivet body that interlocks with the material. General pupose pop rivets are appropriate for assembling surface panels, attaching components or adding decorative elements to a steel piece. Where significant loads occur a denser rivet is preferably allowing for load bearing capacity. This is where the differece occurs, structural rivets have a built-in locking mechanism that ensure the mandrel portion that stays inside the rivet does not fall out and actually creates a secondary wall. This increases both the rivets strength and hold over time.

Huck® Rivets:

• Design: Huck rivets feature an internal mechanism that locks a portion of the pin (mandrel) inside the rivet's body, creating a stronger, vibration-resistant joint. 

• Applications: They are commonly used in critical applications like aircraft, motor body fabrication etc. anywhere high strength and vibration resistance are essential. 

• Installation: Huck rivets require a special tool, a Huck gun or structural rivet gun, for installation, as a standard rivet gun is not engineered for them. 

• Benefits: They offer high shear and tensile strength, quick installation, easy inspection, and good appearance. 

Pop® Rivets (Blind Rivets):

• Design: Pop rivets are tubular fasteners with a mandrel through their center. 

• Applications: They are used for general-purpose applications in windows, metal roofs, guttering systems, HVAC, and other joining tasks.  

• Installation: Pop® rivets can be installed with a standard rivet gun from one side, making them suitable for applications where access to the other side is limited. 

• Benefits: They are versatile, easy to install, and cost-effective. 

How rivets work

Structural rivets work a little differently to a standard rivet, as there is an internal  mechanism that locks a portion of the pin (mandrel) inside the rivet's body. This creates an additional layer of material that assists in increasing the rivets  strength, whilst locking the material.   

When installing a structural rivet the body changes in one of the following ways as it interlocks itself into place. 

1. Broadening of the Body (Magna-Lok®)

Body widens when the cap of the pin is pulled up, resulting in the body expanding against the material.

2. Body Compresses & Bulges (Open End Rivet)

Rivet's body is compressed by the pin cap, causing it to bulge and form a bulb against the material.

See diagrams below of the installed standard and structural rivets to understand the blindside formation. 

Which is the strongest rivet? 

The Magna-Lok® has a higher tensile rating. Tensile strength is the maximum amount of stress that a material can withstand whilst being stretched. Shear strength is the maximum amount of sliding stress the material can take before yielding or tearing.  Shear pressure is applied 90 degrees to the axis of the fastener or parallel to the the material as in to stretch out the material. 

How to identify the difference between a Huck® Rivet and an Open End rivet?

Here you can see the physical differences between the Open End Rivet and the Magna-lok® rivet. When purchasing ensure you specify the brand you seek. We have noticed shifty suppliers are falsely supplying non-genuine Huck rivets but using brand product codes with brand descriptions.  

POP® rivet V’s Magna-Lok® rivet summary.

As we wrap this blog, it's clear that blind rivets offer superior fastening capabilities in the manufacturing process. Both Open End Rivets and Magna-Lok rivets provide strong, industrial-grade fastening performance, with the Huck Magna-Lok having the added advantage of being better suited for structural applications that require vibration and weather resistance, as well as being flexible with material grip range. Seeking assistance to select the correct rivet type? Please don’t hesitate to contact us or call 02 9755 3747 for  rivet type selection and application advice with an award-winning level of service.

Aerobolt is the leading go-to wholesaler of  general pupose pop rivets, structural rivets, Huck bolts, nutserts, rivnuts, adhesives & power tools, like nutsert tools and rivet guns including some popular cordless options.

Proudly, we are Australia's #1 Huck Distributor of genuine Huck bolts and Huck rivets plus the sale, service and hire of Huck guns and hydraulic power rigs. 

Committed to providing a total supply solution with an award-winning customer service focus, your one-stop shop for technical know-how, supply of goods & tool hire through to the servicing of your equipment.