O (annealed)
Softest condition. Best for complex heads and high upset ratios; the rivet maker then solution treats the finished rivets.
Wire guide
2000 Series Aluminium Wire for Rivets: 2117, 2017, 2024 and 2011
The copper-bearing 2000 series supplies most structural aluminium rivets: 2117 for general-purpose AD rivets, 2017 for D rivets and 2024 for the strongest DD rivets, while 2011 is a free-machining alloy for turned pins rather than headed rivets. This guide compares the four alloys, explains which wire temper to buy and why some rivets must be driven straight from the freezer, and lists the standards to quote.
- Alloys
- 2117 · 2017 · 2024 · 2011
- Wire tempers
- O, H13, T4
- Diameters
- about 1.6 – 10 mm
- Key standard
- ASTM B316 · EN 1301
Why the 2000 series dominates structural rivets
A solid rivet must be soft enough to head and upset without cracking, yet strong in shear once driven. Aluminium-copper alloys meet both needs because they can be solution treated, quenched and driven while the copper is still in solution, then gain strength by natural ageing inside the joint.
That is why the rivets holding most aluminium airframes, truck bodies and railway vehicles together are made from 2xxx wire. The alloys differ in how much copper and magnesium they contain: more alloy means more shear strength but less time to drive the rivet after quenching before it becomes too hard to head.
Rivet wire is a precision product. It is drawn to tight diameter tolerances, supplied straight or in coils without surface defects, and tested for shear strength and for heading (upsetting) performance. The supply temper is chosen for the cold-heading machine, not for the finished rivet.
2117, 2017, 2024 and 2011 compared
| Alloy | Cu % | Mg % | Main use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2117 | 2.2 – 3.0 | 0.20 – 0.50 | AD universal and countersunk rivets | Can be driven as received in T4; the default aircraft rivet |
| 2017 | 3.5 – 4.5 | 0.40 – 0.8 | D rivets, cold-headed parts | Stronger; must be driven soon after quenching or kept cold |
| 2024 | 3.8 – 4.9 | 1.2 – 1.8 | DD rivets, high-strength screws and studs | Highest shear of the three; shortest driving window |
| 2011 | 5.0 – 6.0 | — | Turned pins, screws and machined rivets | Contains Bi and Pb for chip breaking; machined, not cold headed |
In practice, choose 2117 unless the joint needs more shear capacity than about 200 MPa per rivet; move to 2017 or 2024 only when the design calls for it, because the heat-treatment logistics add cost on the shop floor. 7050-T73 (E rivets) is the modern alternative for high-strength rivets that can be driven as received.
Rivet codes, head markings and shear strength
Military and aerospace rivet standards (NASM20470 universal head, NASM20426 countersunk) identify the alloy by a letter code in the part number and by a mark on the head. The shear values below are typical ultimate shear strengths of driven rivets quoted in aviation maintenance literature; use the governing design data for calculations.
| Rivet code (NASM / MS) | Alloy and driven temper | Head marking | Typical shear strength | Driving condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1100-F | Plain | about 75 MPa (11 ksi) | As received |
| AD | 2117-T3 (from T4 wire) | Dimple | about 207 MPa (30 ksi) | As received, no heat treatment needed |
| B | 5056-H32 | Raised cross | about 193 MPa (28 ksi) | As received; used with magnesium parts |
| D | 2017-T3 (from T4) | Raised dot | about 262 MPa (38 ksi) | Usually freshly quenched or from cold storage |
| DD | 2024-T31 (from T4) | Two raised dashes | about 283 MPa (41 ksi) | "Icebox" rivet: drive within minutes of quenching or keep refrigerated |
| E | 7050-T73 | Raised ring | about 296 MPa (43 ksi) | As received |
Which wire temper should you order?
H13
Lightly cold drawn for straightness and stable feeding in headers. The usual supply temper for heading wire that will be heat treated after forming.
T4
Solution treated and naturally aged. 2117-T4 wire is headed directly; 2017 and 2024 in T4 are used where the maker controls quench-to-drive timing.
T3 / T31 (driven)
The condition of the rivet after driving: cold work from upsetting on top of T4. Not a wire supply temper.
Typical wire supply range
- Diameter
- about 1.6 – 10 mm for rivet wire; larger rod for machined fasteners
- Tolerance
- To ASTM B316, EN 1301-3 or GB/T 3195 tolerance class; ±0.02 mm is a common customer requirement
- Form
- Coils (weights to suit the header) or straight lengths
- Surface
- Free of cracks, laps, scratches deeper than half the minus tolerance, and corrosion
Quench-to-drive time: the "icebox rivet" problem
After solution treatment and quenching, 2017 and 2024 rivets start to age at room temperature. Within a short time they become too hard to upset without cracking the head. Aviation practice therefore drives 2024 (DD) rivets within roughly 10 – 20 minutes of quenching, and 2017 (D) within about an hour, or stores them in a freezer to slow ageing. Re-heat-treatment is allowed only a limited number of times.
2117-T4 avoids this problem: its lower copper and magnesium content leave it soft enough to drive at any time, and it still gains strength in the joint. That convenience is the main reason AD rivets are so widely used.
- Record the quench time on each batch of 2017 or 2024 rivets
- Keep icebox rivets at or below the cold-storage temperature stated in the process specification
- Do not mix rivet alloys in one bin: head markings exist to prevent errors
- Check that the heat-treatment furnace and quench meet the governing specification (for aerospace, typically AMS 2770)
Standards for 2xxx rivet and cold-heading wire
| Standard | Scope |
|---|---|
| ASTM B316/B316M | Rivet and cold-heading wire and rod: chemistry, tempers, tensile, shear and heading tests |
| ASTM B565 | Shear test method for rivets and cold-heading wire |
| EN 1301-1, -2, -3 | Drawn wire: delivery conditions, mechanical properties, dimensional tolerances |
| GB/T 3195 | Drawn round wire including rivet wire (2A01, 2A10 and others) |
| NASM20470, NASM20426 | Finished solid rivet dimensions and materials |
| AMS 2770 | Heat treatment of wrought aluminium parts |
What to check when buying rivet wire
- Chemistry and temper match the rivet specification, not just the alloy number
- Shear and heading test results appear on the certificate for every lot
- Diameter tolerance and ovality suit the header dies; out-of-round wire causes split heads
- Surface is free of laps and seams that open during upsetting
- Coil weight and packing suit your pay-off equipment and protect the wire from moisture
- Alloy and supply temperFor example 2117, 2017 or 2024 in O, H13/H14 or T4, and the temper the finished rivet must reach.
- StandardASTM B316, EN 1301, GB/T 3195, AMS or your own specification, with the edition you work to.
- Diameter and toleranceNominal diameter and tolerance class, plus coil or cut-length form and coil weight.
- TestsShear strength, upsetting (heading) test, tensile, surface and dimensional checks to be shown on the certificate.
- DeliveryQuantity, packing (wrapped coils in wooden cases or on pallets), EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms and destination.
References and standards
- ASTM B316/B316M – Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rivet and Cold-Heading Wire and Rods
- ASTM B565 – Shear Testing of Aluminum and Aluminum-Alloy Rivets and Cold-Heading Wire and Rods
- EN 1301-1/-2/-3 – Aluminium and aluminium alloys: drawn wire (delivery conditions, properties, tolerances)
- FAA-H-8083-31 Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook – Airframe (rivet identification and use)
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
2000 series aluminium (aluminum) rivet wire: FAQ
Which 2000 series alloy is best for general rivets?
2117. It heads easily, can be driven as received in T4 and reaches about 200 MPa shear strength in the joint, which is enough for most aluminium structures.
Why are 2024 rivets called icebox rivets?
Freshly quenched 2024 rivets harden by natural ageing within minutes. To keep them drivable they are driven soon after quenching or stored in a freezer, which slows the ageing.
Can 2011 wire be used for cold-headed rivets?
2011 is a free-machining alloy with bismuth and lead. It is used for turned pins, screws and machined rivets, not for cold heading, where 2117, 2017 or 2024 are the normal choices.
What temper should rivet wire be supplied in?
Usually O or H13 when the rivet maker will heat treat after heading, and T4 for 2117 wire headed directly. State the supply temper and the final rivet temper separately.
Which standard covers aluminium rivet wire?
ASTM B316/B316M is the main international specification, with ASTM B565 for shear testing. EN 1301 covers drawn wire in Europe and GB/T 3195 in China.
Buying rivet wire in 2117, 2017 or 2024?
Send alloy, temper, diameter, tolerance and quantity. We will confirm availability, test certificates and delivery worldwide.
