Aircraft are held together by far more than “nuts and bolts”.
Modern airframes rely on a mix of aerospace rivets, precision bolts, locking systems, inserts and specialist hardware selected according to load, vibration, maintenance access and certification requirements.
JP Aero supplies a wide range of aerospace fasteners including NAS bolts, fasteners and screws, A Series hardware, AGS components, SP series parts, solid and semi-tubular rivets, heli-coil inserts and specialist aircraft hardware, supporting everything from commercial programmes through to defence, MRO and historic aircraft projects.
But when should engineers choose aerospace rivets instead of bolted joints?
The answer usually comes down to permanence, serviceability and structural behaviour.
What Are Aerospace Rivets?
Aerospace rivets are permanent fasteners designed to create a fixed joint between two or more components.
Once installed, the rivet deforms and mechanically locks materials together, creating a connection intended to remain in place throughout the life of the assembly.
They are commonly used across:
- Aircraft skins
- Wing assemblies
- Internal frames
- Composite panels
- Control surfaces
- Structural reinforcements
- Historic aircraft restorations
JP Aero’s aerospace hardware range includes solid and semi-tubular rivets, alongside specialist aircraft fasteners and legacy product support.
Solid Rivets
Solid rivets remain one of the most important fastening methods in aviation.
These are often used where:
- Fatigue performance matters
- Repeated loading occurs
- Structural integrity is critical
- Permanent installation is preferred
Typical applications include wing skins, fuselage sections and primary structures.
Semi-Tubular Rivets
Semi-tubular rivets reduce installation force requirements and may be used in lighter assemblies and selected secondary applications.
They are often chosen where installation efficiency becomes important.
Flush Rivets
Flush rivets sit level with the aircraft surface after installation.
This helps reduce turbulence and drag, making them common in:
- External skins
- High-speed airframes
- Aerodynamic surfaces
- Defence aircraft
What Are Bolted Joints?
Bolted joints use removable threaded hardware to secure components together.
Unlike rivets, they are designed for inspection, removal and replacement.
Typical aerospace bolted assemblies include:
- Aerospace bolts
- Screws
- Lock nuts
- Washers
- Pins
- Locking systems
- Inserts
JP Aero stocks a broad range of aircraft hardware including:
- A Series Nuts
- A Series Bolts and Screws
- NAS bolts, fasteners and screws
- AN, AS, EN, LN, MS, NAS and NSA series hardware
- Double-action pip pins
- Parallel and taper pins
- Heli-coil inserts
These assemblies commonly appear in:
- Engine installations
- Landing gear systems
- Access panels
- Equipment interfaces
- Defence platforms
- Removable structures
Aerospace Rivets vs Bolted Joints: The Main Differences
| Feature | Aerospace Rivets | Bolted Joints |
| Joint type | Permanent | Removable |
| Weight | Lower | Higher |
| Maintenance access | Limited | Excellent |
| Aerodynamics | Very good | Depends on profile |
| Installation | Fast in production | Slower |
| Replacement | More difficult | Easier |
| Fatigue performance | Excellent | High when properly preloaded |
| Typical applications | Skins and airframes | Structural interfaces and service items |
Both methods are critical.
Aircraft rarely use one exclusively.
When Should Aerospace Rivets Be Used?
Large Aircraft Skin Assemblies
Aircraft skins may contain thousands of fasteners.
Using bolts across every fastening point would increase:
- Weight
- Installation time
- Hardware complexity
- Inspection requirements
Aerospace rivets provide:
- Lower mass
- Consistent load transfer
- Smooth aerodynamic profiles
- High fatigue performance
This remains one of the reasons riveted structures continue to dominate commercial and military aircraft.
Permanent Structural Areas
If the assembly is unlikely to require disassembly, rivets usually make more sense.
Examples include:
- Wing surfaces
- Internal stiffeners
- Reinforcement sections
- Fuselage panels
- Fixed aerodynamic structures
These locations benefit from long-term stability and minimal maintenance intervention.
Historic Aircraft Restorations
Vintage aircraft often depend heavily on riveted construction.
For restoration teams working with obsolete drawings and historic specifications, maintaining original fastening methods may be essential.
This creates opportunities for:
- Legacy rivet sourcing
- Product matching
- Hard-to-find aircraft hardware
- Historic specification support
Vintage aircraft frequently depend on riveted assemblies, making original fastening methods an important consideration during restoration work. Projects may involve obsolete specifications, historic part references and the need to match legacy hardware while maintaining structural integrity.
When Should Bolted Joints Be Used?
Components Requiring Regular Access
Bolted joints dominate where maintenance is expected.
Examples include:
- Inspection panels
- Engine interfaces
- Avionics systems
- Service equipment
- Modular assemblies
Removing a bolt is straightforward.
Removing rivets often means drilling, inspection and replacement.
Maintenance teams usually prefer threaded systems where access matters.
High Load Structural Interfaces
Bolts excel where controlled preload and clamp force become important.
Applications include:
- Landing gear connections
- Engine mounts
- Suspension interfaces
- Defence assemblies
- Heavy structural joins
This is where NAS hardware, close-tolerance bolts and aerospace locking systems become valuable.
At JP Aero, we supply NAS bolts and aerospace fastener ranges across AN, AS, MS and NAS specifications, allowing engineers to match hardware to certification requirements and legacy documentation.
Modular Defence and MRO Programmes
Modern aircraft increasingly rely on removable systems.
Bolted assemblies support:
- Field upgrades
- Equipment replacement
- Mission changes
- Retrofit programmes
- MRO activities
Defence projects often combine bolted interfaces with permanent riveted structures.
Weight vs Serviceability: The Real Trade-Off
Rivets usually win on weight.
Bolts usually win on access.
Rivets eliminate:
- Nuts
- Additional locking hardware
- Thread engagement requirements
- Extra assembly components
Across thousands of fastening points, the savings become significant.
Bolts, however, reduce downtime and simplify inspection procedures.
That trade-off often determines the final engineering choice.
Most Aircraft Use Both
Modern aircraft do not choose rivets or bolts.
They choose both.
Rivets Often Appear In:
- Fuselage skins
- Wing panels
- Structural sheets
- Reinforcing members
- Historic airframes
Bolted Joints Often Appear In:
- Landing gear
- Engines
- Access systems
- Modular equipment
- Defence hardware
- Maintenance areas
Alongside these, aircraft may also incorporate:
- Pip pins
- Inserts
- O-rings and seals
- Locking systems
- Specialist aerospace hardware
- Product-specific assemblies
The result is a layered fastening strategy rather than a single solution.
Rivets, Bolts and the Supply Chain Challenge
Selecting the right joining method affects more than engineering.
It influences:
- Traceability requirements
- Stock holding
- Certification routes
- Obsolescence planning
- Lead times
- Cross-referencing activities
Older aircraft and defence programmes frequently rely on legacy part numbers and discontinued hardware.
This makes sourcing support and product matching increasingly important.
JP Aero supports projects requiring:
- Aerospace fasteners
- NAS hardware
- Legacy AN and MS parts
- Historic aircraft components
- Bespoke sourcing
- Product matching services
- Full traceability routes
Need Aerospace Rivets or Aircraft Hardware?
Whether you require aerospace rivets, NAS bolts, specialist aircraft hardware or support sourcing obsolete components, choosing the correct fastening method is essential for performance, compliance and long-term reliability.JP Aero supports commercial aviation, defence, MRO and restoration projects with specialist aerospace fastener supply, technical support and hard-to-source product expertise. Contact our team today.