MS20470 Rivet

The MS20470 Rivet is the most common fastener used in the aircraft structural assembly. The two initial letter in the part number identify that the standard, is military MS-Military Standard. The number 20470 identify the geometry of the rivet, in this case: universal head. The head is like mushroom head. The identification part number presents one or two additional letters after the standard and geometry. This letters identifies the material of the rivet. MS20470 can be manufactured with aluminum alloys or titanium alloys depending of the technical requirements needed. The aluminium alloys used are the 1100(A), 2117(AD), 5056(B) and 7050(E), low aluminum alloys present low levels of shear strength, high aluminum alloys present higher levels of shear strength. The shear strength of these rivets goes from 100lbs up to 5500lbs depending of material and rivet diameter. The typical use is the AD material, if the reduction on rivet quantity is required we can use the E rivet. Example, normal material AD = 10 rivets installed, if constraints are found and only 5 rivets is possible to install then use E rivets to reduce quantity.The D and DD rivets exists but they are not used for new designs. The process to install was to complex to control and costly. This rivets material must be heat treated and keep in ice box before installation. Final configuration of the rivet will be MS20470AD - standard, geometry, material. What is missing? Yes the rivet diameter and length. The rivet diameter is defined by the next number divided by 32 inches. In this case the most common diameters are the AD3, AD4, AD5 and AD6. The AD3 rivet for nutplates installation and not used for structural application. The AD4 and AD5 rivets are the most commons diameters used in the aircraft, and the AD6 where extra strength is required. If the installation requires higher diameters, please use hi-lok fasteners.

Remember: MS20470AD5- standard, geometry, material, and diameter. The next step is specify the length of the rivet. The length is identified by a dash and a number multiple of 16, which give us the length in inches. The must commons lengths are the -5 to -12, if we have -8 that means the length = 8/16 = 0.5 inches. The length must be selected to

make possible the correct installation of the rivet. Length must be the sum of the thicknesses to install plus 1.5xRivet diameter. Example: two 0.05 inches sheets to riveted, rivet diameter AD5 = 5/32 = 0.156 inches then length of the rivet = 0.05 + 0.05 + 1.5 x 0.156 = 0.334 inches then the dash number to select is 0.334 x 16 = 5.35, use upper or lower dash number closer to the 1.5x requirement in this case the -5. Correct length of the rivet is AD5-5.This is required to make possible the correct deformation of the head of the rivet. Formed head must be circular with diameter = 1.5 x rivet diameter and height/thickness of 0.5 x rivet diameter.

Finally the rivet MS20470AD5-8 - standard, geometry, material, diameter and length. Diameter = 5/32 inches and length 8/16 inches. The MS20470 is used all over the aircraft with the exceptions of the aerodynamic surfaces of the aircraft. Yes if you observe the aircraft fuselage and wing is not the MS20470 that is used. Is the MS20426, the cousin with countersunk head, perfect rivet for aerodynamics. For that reason use always MS20470 rivets with the aerodynamic exception or contact surface problems. You can find MS20470 rivets outside the aircraft in the belly ferry of the fuselage, because the structure is inside the wing-to-fuselage fairing and the aerodynamics is not a problem. Please see figure and tables below for more information about MS20470 rivets.