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When Every Gram Matters

Semi-Tubular Rivets -
The Lightweight Solution
For Strong Connections

Semi-tubular rivets enable durable mechanical joints while reducing material usage. Their partially hollow shank significantly reduces the setting force required during riveting compared to solid rivets, allowing components to be joined with less stress on the surrounding material.

They are therefore particularly suitable for thin-walled components, softer materials and lightweight assemblies where controlled forming behaviour is essential.

The lower setting force also supports stable, repeatable joining processes in automated production environments while ensuring reliable load transfer and consistent joint quality.

Typical applications include lightweight structures, precision mechanisms and assemblies where low riveting forces and predictable forming behaviour are critical.

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Page Overview

What Function Do Semi-Tubular Rivets Fulfil?
Fastening Technology at Its Best
Not Hollow – Semi-Tubular Rivets with Full Performance
Industries Where Semi-Tubular Rivets Make the Difference
Semi-Tubular Rivets Manufactured According to Your Drawings
Semi-Tubular vs. Solid Rivets – Key Differences at a Glance
Selecting the Right Material for Reliable Rivet Connections
Expert Knowledge About Semi-Tubular Rivets
Learn More About the Production of Our Semi-Tubular Rivets
Let’s Talk About Your Semi-Tubular Rivet

When Less Is More

What Function Do Semi-Tubular Rivets Fulfil?

Semi-tubular rivets create permanent mechanical joints with reduced forming forces. Their partially hollow shank enables controlled plastic deformation during riveting, making them particularly suitable for thin materials and sensitive components.

Design Principle

A semi-tubular rivet consists of a pre-formed head and a shank with an axial recess at its end.
This partially hollow geometry reduces the material volume that must be plastically deformed during the joining process.

Riveting Process

During riveting, the rivet is inserted through the prepared holes of the components to be joined.
A setting punch then compresses the shank axially, causing the material to expand radially and form the closing head on the opposite side.

Functional Result

The process creates a force-fit and form-fit connection that permanently secures the components while ensuring reliable load transfer and stable positioning.

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If Semi-Tubular Rivets Are Not the Right Solution - We Offer More

Fastening Technology at Its Best!

Not every application requires a lightweight rivet design. Depending on load conditions, material combinations and functional requirements, different fastening concepts may be more suitable.

That is why we offer a broad portfolio of cold-formed fastening elements and precision parts, manufactured using high-performance cold extrusion processes. Our solutions are designed for reliable joining in a wide range of mechanical and industrial applications.

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Rivets

Solid rivets provide permanent mechanical joints for high load applications. Their solid shank ensures excellent shear strength, structural stability and long-term reliability, even under dynamic or vibration-intensive operating conditions. Ideal for structural connections and safety-relevant assemblies where maximum joint integrity is required.

Rivets

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Sleeves & Bushings

Sleeves and bushings are used to guide, support and stabilise mechanical components within assemblies. Manufactured with high dimensional accuracy, they ensure precise positioning, controlled load distribution and reliable system performance. Suitable for applications where components must be accurately aligned, reinforced or permanently supported.

Sleeves & Bushings

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Bolts

Cold-formed bolts enable robust and reliable fastening in demanding mechanical applications. Their manufacturing process ensures high material strength, precise geometry and consistent series quality. Designed for assemblies where secure load transmission and durable threaded connections are essential.

Bolts

Less Material. Full Performance.

Not Hollow - Our Semi-Hollow Rivets Deliver Full Performance!

Our cold-extruded semi-tubular rivets combine reliable fastening performance with a weight-saving design. They impress through their efficiency and the wide range of materials available. Whether steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass or copper – we supply the right solution for your application, tailored to load conditions, material combinations and processing requirements.

The reduced setting forces protect both components and processes, making semi-tubular rivets particularly suitable for automated assembly operations and demanding material pairings, such as metal-to-plastic connections.

Near-Net

Material Utilisation

Cold extrusion forms the material directly into shape without removing it.
The process utilises almost the entire material volume – no chips, no waste, minimal losses.

This significantly reduces both material consumption and waste, making the process not only efficient but also resource-conserving.

Exceptional

Dimensional Accuracy

Our production achieves dimensional accuracy in the hundredth-of-a-millimetre range, even for large quantities and complex geometries.

Each component is manufactured with consistent precision and repeatability – essential for applications where even the smallest deviation matters.

Strength Through

Work Hardening

During cold extrusion, the material is plastically deformed and compacted in a controlled manner.
This results in work hardening, where the microstructure becomes denser and the mechanical strength increases.

The result: high structural stability and long-term performance, even under demanding operating conditions.

High

Surface Quality

The cold forming process produces smooth, flawless surfaces with excellent dimensional stability.

This reduces friction and enables precise integration into assemblies, even with tight fits and sensitive component surfaces.

Customised

for Your Application

Whether specific dimensions, complex geometries or functional features – our components can be precisely adapted to your requirements.

This ensures optimal integration into existing systems, both technically and economically.

Reliable Quality -

Even in High Volumes

In series production, consistency is key. Even with large batch sizes, our manufacturing processes ensure stable geometry, dimensional accuracy and surface quality.

The result: fewer rejects, efficient assembly and predictable unit costs.

Lightweight

Construction

Semi-tubular rivets address what matters most in lightweight construction: maximum strength with minimal mass.

Like in sport, every gram counts – enabling designs that remain dynamic, efficient and structurally resilient.

A Fastener for

Countless Applications

Whether in electrical engineering, automotive body construction or mechanical engineering, semi-tubular rivets prove their value wherever reliable joints, low weight and efficient processing are required.

Less Mass, More Class!

Industries We Strengthen with Semi-Tubular Rivets

They are small components – but they hold assemblies together. Our semi-tubular rivets play a crucial role in a wide range of industries where reliable, lightweight and durable connections are required.

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Lightweight, Reliable, Proven – Semi-Tubular Rivets in Vehicle Construction

In the automotive industry, semi-tubular rivets are primarily used in body structures, door systems, roof modules and joints with plastic components. Their low weight enables targeted weight reduction at assembly level – a key advantage in the development of modern vehicle components. Thanks to their high strength combined with minimal material usage, semi-tubular rivets provide a reliable solution for dynamically loaded and structurally demanding joints – precise, durable and process-reliable in series production.

Reliable Joining - Even with Sensitive Electronics

In the electrical industry, semi-tubular rivets are commonly used for printed circuit boards and housing components. They enable reliable mechanical joints without placing excessive mechanical stress on sensitive parts. Thanks to their low setting force and compact design, semi-tubular rivets can be easily integrated into complex and miniaturised assemblies – ensuring long-term functionality and reliable assembly in modern electronic devices.

Compact in Design – Strong in Function

In the household appliance industry, semi-tubular rivets ensure durable and resilient connections, for example in housings, panels, hinges or movable functional elements. Their low weight and precise processing make them particularly suitable for installation in space-critical or visible component areas. Thanks to the low setting force, even sensitive materials such as plastics or coated sheet metal can be joined securely and gently – ideal for devices with high design and quality requirements.q

Function Meets Form – Invisibly Strong Connections

In the furniture industry, semi-tubular rivets are used to securely and durably join wood and metal components. Whether in hinges, joints or load-bearing connections, they provide mechanical stability without compromising the aesthetic design of modern furniture. Their compact design and gentle processing allow semi-tubular rivets to be integrated discreetly and precisely – ideal for designer furniture and sophisticated constructions where invisible strength and functional elegance are essential.

Customers Who Trust Our Solutions

Save Weight. Not on Quality.

Semi-Tubular Rivets Manufactured Exactly to Your Drawings

Tell us your requirements.
We manufacture semi-tubular rivets precisely according to your drawings and specifications – with consistent quality and reliable, repeatable processes.

From feasibility assessment to stable series production, our team ensures that your rivet solution is technically robust, economically viable and precisely matched to your application.

- Lennart Sakuth, Technical Sales

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Portrait von Lennart Sakuth, Verkauf / Technische Beratung bei MN Kaltformteile

Light as a Feather or Engineered for Maximum Strength?

Semi-Tubular Rivet vs. Solid Rivet - The Differences at a Glance

The choice between semi-tubular rivets and solid rivets depends largely on the requirements of your application.
To support your design decision, we have compared the key characteristics of both fastening solutions.

Solid Rivet

Proven solution for high-load applications (e.g. mechanical engineering, construction)

Very high structural strength, especially under tensile loads

Higher material usage due to solid shank geometry

Less material-efficient compared to semi-tubular rivets

Higher production costs due to increased material consumption

Higher setting forces required during riveting

Semi-Tubular Rivet

Ideal for weight-sensitive applications (e.g. automotive, aviation, household appliances)

High strength combined with low weight

Reduced material consumption due to partially hollow shank

Lower setting forces during riveting

Ideal for joining sensitive materials

Conclusion:
Semi-tubular rivets are the preferred solution where low weight, efficient material usage and reliable joining of sensitive materials are required – for example in electrical engineering, vehicle construction or plastic assemblies. Solid rivets are the better choice where
maximum strength and fatigue resistance are required – for example in mechanical engineering or in heavily loaded structural connections.

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Hollow, But Not Weak

The Right Material - For High-Performance Joining Solutions

Semi-tubular rivets may appear inconspicuous – yet they play a decisive role in many assemblies. Choosing the right material is essential: it influences not only strength, but also weight, corrosion resistance and long-term performance in the respective application.

Whether in the automotive industry, electrical engineering or furniture construction, we manufacture semi-tubular rivets from the material that best meets your requirements.

Technically precise. Functionally reliable. Tailored to your industry.

Get Advice on Material Selection

Would You Like to Learn More About Semi-Tubular Rivets?

Clear Answers – Precise, Practical and Technically Relevant

Whether materials, applications or technical advantages, this section outlines the capabilities of semi-tubular rivets and the key criteria for their selection.

It helps identify the most suitable rivet solution for your application.

What Are Semi-Tubular Rivets and How Do They Differ from Solid Rivets?

Semi-tubular rivets and solid rivets differ primarily in shank geometry, material usage and the setting forces required during installation.

Semi-tubular rivets are fasteners with a partially hollow shank that reduces weight without compromising structural integrity. They enable lightweight yet resilient connections – ideal for applications where material efficiency, weight reduction and gentle joining processes are important.

Thanks to their geometry, semi-tubular rivets require significantly lower setting forces than solid rivets. This protects sensitive materials such as plastics or thin-walled metals and reduces the forces required in the assembly process – a clear advantage for automated production.

Solid rivets, by contrast, feature a fully solid shank and provide maximum strength, particularly under tensile loads. However, they are heavier, require more material and demand higher setting forces during installation.

In short:

Semi-tubular rivets: Lightweight, material-efficient and ideal for low-force joining of sensitive materials

Solid rivets: Maximum strength for highly loaded structural connections
In Which Industries Are Semi-Tubular Rivets Commonly Used?

Semi-tubular rivets are used across a wide range of industries where lightweight, reliable and cost-efficient fastening solutions are required. Typical applications include:

• Automotive Industry – body components, door systems, roof modules and plastic assemblies
• Aerospace Industry – lightweight structures where a high strength-to-weight ratio is critical
• Household Appliance Industry – housings, hinges and functional components in modern appliances
• Furniture Industry – discreet and durable joints in wood, metal or hybrid constructions
• Electrical and Electronics Industry – housings, circuit-board assemblies and sensitive electronic components

Thanks to their low setting forces, favourable strength-to-weight ratio and material-efficient design, semi-tubular rivets are widely used in modern fastening and joining applications across many industries.
Which Materials Are Used for Semi-Tubular Rivets?

Semi-tubular rivets can be manufactured from a wide range of metals, depending on the requirements of the application. The most common materials include:

• Aluminium – lightweight with a favourable strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion-resistant and easy to form; ideal for weight-optimised applications

• Steel – robust and durable; suitable for highly loaded mechanical connections

• Stainless steel – high strength and excellent corrosion resistance; ideal for humid or aggressive environments

• Copper – excellent electrical conductivity; commonly used in electrical and electronic applications

• Brass – corrosion-resistant, dimensionally stable and visually appealing; widely used in furniture and household appliances

Depending on the load conditions, environmental influences and functional requirements, we select the most suitable material for your semi-tubular rivets.
How Do Semi-Tubular Rivets Perform Under High Loads?

Semi-tubular rivets offer high structural strength and perform reliably under mechanical loads. They create durable joints capable of withstanding tensile, shear and fatigue loads, making them suitable for many medium- to high-load applications.

However, for extreme loads, highly dynamic stresses or safety-critical structures – for example in vehicle frames, agricultural machinery or industrial drive systems – solid rivets are often preferred, as their fully solid shank provides additional strength reserves and improved resistance to fatigue.

Conclusion

Semi-tubular rivets provide reliable and versatile joining solutions, particularly where weight reduction, material efficiency and lower setting forces are important.
For applications with extreme structural or fatigue loads, however, solid rivets may be the more suitable choice.
How Is the Quality of Semi-Tubular Rivets Ensured?

The quality of our semi-tubular rivets begins with careful material selection and is maintained throughout the entire production process. Using precise cold forming technology, tight tolerances and clearly defined process parameters, we ensure that every rivet meets the required mechanical and dimensional specifications.

A key element is our continuous quality control:

In-process inspections verify dimensional accuracy and proper fit throughout production.

For applications with particularly high quality requirements, camera-based inspection systems can be integrated into the production process.

This ensures that every delivery meets the expected standards – precise, reliable and durable.

Precisely Formed. Reliably Connected.

Learn More About the Production of Our Semi-Tubular Rivets

If you would like to learn more about our manufacturing processes, explore the following pages:

Cold Extrusion: How our precision semi-tubular rivets are manufactured
Cold Forming vs. Machining: The advantages of our forming technology
Special Parts: Custom production according to your drawings and specifications

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We Are Ready to Support Your Project

Let's Talk About your Semi-Hollow Rivet!

We look forward to discussing your requirements and identifying the most suitable solution for your semi-tubular rivet.

Feel free to contact us to discuss your project and technical requirements.

– Lennart Sakuth, Technical Sales