8000 Series Aluminium Wire Rod for Rivets
8000-series rivet wire is drawn aluminium-iron-silicon wire, such as 8011, used to head light-duty and semi-tubular rivets where low cost, easy forming and good corrosion resistance matter more than high strength. These alloys are not heat-treatable; they gain strength only by cold drawing to tempers such as H14 or H18. This guide explains what 8xxx rivet wire can and cannot do, sizes and tolerances, and how to choose between it and 1xxx, 3xxx or 5xxx rivet wire.
- Alloys
- 8011 and other 8xxx
- Tempers
- H14, H18
- Diameter
- About 1.0 – 15 mm
- Type
- Non-heat-treatable
What 8000-series rivet wire is
The 8xxx series is the Aluminum Association group for alloys whose main additions do not fit the other series. The best-known members, 8011, 8006 and 8079, contain iron and silicon, which form fine intermetallic particles. Those particles raise strength a little above pure aluminium, keep the grain fine and give good ductility.
8011 is mostly used as foil and closure stock, but drawn into wire it makes a soft, consistent rivet material that heads easily. It sits between 1100 and 3003 in strength and behaves similarly in corrosion. Rivets from 8xxx wire are used where joints carry modest loads: consumer goods, electrical enclosures, ductwork, signage, luggage and household products.
Some suppliers list designations such as 8003 or 8036 for rivet wire. These are not as widely published as 8011, so before ordering, ask for the governing standard and its chemical limits, and compare them with your drawing.
8011 chemical composition (wt %)
Registered Aluminum Association limits for 8011. EN 573-3 lists the closely related EN AW-8011A, whose silicon and iron ranges are slightly different. Other 8xxx rivet alloys have their own limits; always check the certificate.
| Element | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.50 | 0.9 |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.6 | 1.0 |
| Copper (Cu) | — | 0.10 |
| Manganese (Mn) | — | 0.20 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | — | 0.05 |
| Chromium (Cr) | — | 0.05 |
| Zinc (Zn) | — | 0.10 |
| Titanium (Ti) | — | 0.08 |
| Others, each / total | — | 0.05 / 0.15 |
| Aluminium (Al) | Remainder |
Tempers and typical specification
| Temper | Condition | Heading behaviour |
|---|---|---|
| O | Annealed | Softest; for deep heads and tubular rivets with large flare |
| H14 | Half-hard drawn | Balanced; most common for solid and semi-tubular rivets |
| H18 | Full-hard drawn | Highest strength in the series; only for simple heads |
Typical supply
- Diameter
- About 1.0 – 15 mm
- Tolerance
- Commonly about ±0.02 mm for precision rivet wire
- Form
- Coils (often above about 50 kg) for automatic headers, or straight lengths
- Surface
- Bright drawn, clean, lightly lubricated
- Standards
- ASTM B316 tolerances and test methods, or national rivet-wire standards
Mechanical property limits for 8xxx rivet wire depend on the alloy, temper and standard named on the order; they are reported on the mill certificate.
| Surface condition | Typical requirement for rivet wire |
|---|---|
| Cracks, seams, laps, peeling, blisters | Not allowed |
| Metallic or non-metallic pick-up pressed into the surface | Not allowed |
| Corrosion spots | Not allowed |
| Light scratches, scuffs or dents | Allowed only if shallower than half the minus diameter tolerance |
| Light oil or drawing lubricant | Allowed; helps cold heading |
8xxx rivet wire compared with other light-duty rivet alloys
| Alloy | Heat-treatable | Relative strength | Corrosion | Typical rivet use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 / 1050 | No | Lowest | Excellent | Decorative, soft materials, electrical |
| 8011 (8xxx) | No | Low | Very good | Light-duty solid and semi-tubular rivets |
| 3003 | No | Low–medium | Very good | General light-duty rivets |
| 5052 | No | Medium | Excellent | Blind-rivet bodies, outdoor products |
| 5056 | No | Medium | Excellent | Rivets for magnesium and marine use |
| 6061 | Yes | Medium–high | Good | Structural aluminium assemblies |
Pick 8011 when cost, headability and a soft, clean head matter most and the joint is lightly loaded. Move to 3003 or 5052 for more strength without heat treatment, and to 6061 or 2xxx alloys for structural joints.
Where 8xxx rivets are used
- Household and consumer goods: cookware handles, appliance panels, furniture and luggage fittings
- HVAC and ductwork: light-gauge sheet joints where soft, corrosion-resistant rivets suit the substrate
- Electrical: enclosures, nameplates and terminal parts
- Signage and display: riveted aluminium signs, frames and panels
- Leather and textile goods: semi-tubular and decorative rivets
Points to check when buying 8000-series rivet wire
- Confirm the alloy and its standardAsk for the chemical limits of the designation offered, especially for less common 8xxx grades.
- Match temper to the headO for large flares, H14 for most rivets, H18 only for simple heads.
- State diameter toleranceA minus-only tolerance helps die entry on small sizes.
- Ask for a heading testA short upset test on a sample coil proves headability before production.
- Packing and documentsMoisture-protected coils, clear labels, EN 10204 3.1 certificate, delivery on EXW, FOB, CIF or DAP terms.
References and standards
- ASTM B316 / B316M – Rivet and cold-heading wire and rods
- EN 573-3 – Chemical composition and form of wrought products
- The Aluminum Association – International Alloy Designations and Chemical Composition Limits
- ASM Handbook, Vol. 2 – Properties and Selection: Nonferrous Alloys
8000-series rivet wire: frequently asked questions
Is 8011 rivet wire heat-treatable?
No. 8011 and the other common Al-Fe-Si 8xxx alloys are strengthened only by cold work. Choose the temper (O, H14 or H18) for the strength and headability you need.
Can 8000-series rivets be used in aircraft structures?
No. Their strength is too low for structural aircraft joints. Aerospace rivets use 2117, 2017, 2024, 5056, 7050 or 7075 to recognised specifications.
What is the difference between 8011 and 3003 rivet wire?
Both are non-heat-treatable with similar corrosion resistance. 3003 is somewhat stronger because of its manganese content, while 8011 heads very easily and is economical for light-duty rivets.
What sizes are available?
Typically about 1.0 – 15 mm diameter, in coils for automatic headers or straight lengths, with precision tolerances of around ±0.02 mm on request.
Are 8003 and 8036 standard alloys?
They appear in some supplier lists but are far less widely published than 8011. Ask for the governing standard and chemical limits before ordering and compare them with your drawing.
Need wire for light-duty rivets?
Send the alloy, temper, diameter and quantity. We will confirm the best match and quote delivered.
