[N355DW]

So I finally have gotten around to sorting out some of the hardware bags into bins of equal size and type rivets. I noticed some universal heads that came from separate bags that are the same size, but different color. The gold ones have a dimple and some lettering, the silver ones have a dimple but no lettering. I haven't seen anything in the manual about this, are they the same type rivet?

Tried a search, but it was inconclusive.

 

[aarvig]

I noticed the same thing with mine. The only conclusion I came to was that the rivets came from different suppliers. I also noted a significant difference between some of the CS4-4 rivets used to attach the emp fairings. The shank looked the same but the heads were totally different. I called Vans on this and they said it was the result of using different suppliers.

 

[az_gila]

The MS20470 spec allows a large variation on color of rivets. The color is created by a conversion coating (aka alodine) and is described as clear to iridescent yellow to brown.

The dimple is the critical item in the solid rivets and denotes 2117-T4 alloy, the "AD" designation in the full rivet part number.

Conversion spec here

http://www.everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL+SPECS+(MIL-C)/download.php?spec=MIL-C-5541E.002379.pdf

Rivet spec here

http://www.everyspec.com/MS+Specs/MS2/MS20000-MS20999/download.php?spec=MS20470H.008074.PDF

Beware of rivets with no dimple, they are the soft variant and are not structural for our general use.

 

[N355DW]

Thanks Gil and Aaron! I love how quick you get a response here! Yes, I read in another thread about the dimple, I keep a lookout for those!