The Complete Guide to Nickel Plated Rivets

2025-06-07
Author: Rivmate Rivet

The surface of Nickel Plated Rivet is covered with a metallic nickel coating through an electroplating process. The purpose of this coating is to enhance the rivet’s corrosion and abrasion resistance, electrical stability, and to give it a bright silver-white appearance.

This article will introduce you around “nickel plated rivets”. It includes the definition of nickel plated blind rivets, the role of nickel plated, applications and standards.

What are nickel plated rivets?

Nickel-plated rivets are rivets with a metallic nickel coating applied to the surface of the rivet body (made of metal, such as carbon steel, copper or brass) through an electroplating process. The thickness of this coating is usually 3-10 μm, and the main purpose is to improve the corrosion resistance, wear resistance, electrical stability of the rivet, and to give it a silver-white glossy appearance.

Nickel plated rivet vs uncoated rivet

Attribute	Nickel Plated Rivet	Uncoated Rivet
Surface Treatment	Electroplated nickel layer (3–10 μm)	No surface treatment, bare metal
Appearance	Bright silver or matte metallic finish, decorative appeal	Raw material color (gray steel, red copper, yellow brass)
Corrosion Resistance	Excellent (nickel barrier prevents oxidation)	Poor to moderate (prone to rust or oxidation)
Wear Resistance	High (hard nickel layer resists scratching)	Depends on base material; generally lower
Electrical Conductivity	Good conductivity, suitable for electrical applications	Varies (copper is good; steel is lower)
Surface Smoothness	Low friction, good for automated installation	Higher friction, risk of jamming or equipment wear
Environmental Compliance	Electroplating involves heavy metals; must meet discharge controls	No plating-related risk, but lacks corrosion protection
Cost	Slightly higher (includes plating cost)	Lower (based only on base material)
Typical Applications	Electronics, appliances, decorative fasteners, precise assembly	Internal joints, low-visibility, disposable or sealed areas

Nickel-plated rivets are electroplated with a layer of nickel metal on the surface of the rivet, which has good corrosion resistance, abrasion resistance and electrical conductivity, and at the same time has a silver-white glossy appearance. This makes them ideal for assembly applications where both aesthetics and functionality are required. The plating also reduces surface friction and improves automated assembly efficiency.

In contrast, the non-nickel-plated rivets are bare metal, although the cost is lower, but the corrosion resistance is weak, easy to oxidize and rust, suitable for embedded structures, non-exposed parts or the environment does not require high protection. Selection should be based on the use of the environment, appearance needs and functional requirements of a comprehensive judgment.

The role of rivet nickel plating layer

Nickel plating on the surface of rivets is mainly achieved through an electroplating process to form a dense, highly adherent nickel metal coating, usually 3-10 microns thick. This coating improves the physical properties of rivets.

1. Corrosion protection
The nickel layer can effectively isolate the air, moisture and acids and alkalis on the rivet substrate erosion. This significantly improves its service life in wet, high humidity or corrosive environments.

2. Enhance wear resistance
Nickel has a high hardness, the coating formed after plating can enhance the rivet surface scratch resistance.

3. Enhance the appearance of texture
Nickel-plated surface is silver-white shiny or matte metallic texture, visual aesthetics and unity.

4. Improve assembly smoothness
The nickel layer reduces the coefficient of friction, which helps to improve the stability and efficiency of the automatic feeding, positioning and riveting process.

5. Good electrical conductivity
Nickel is an electrically conductive metal, suitable for assembly structures that require grounding or signal connections.

Comprehensive Advantages

✔ Extend rivet life

✔ Gives a high-end metallic look

✔ Support electrical performance needs

✔ Improve reliability and assembly efficiency

✔ Can be used as a RoHS compliant chrome-free protection alternative (subject to process control)

What materials can nickel plating be used for rivets?

In rivet manufacturing, nickel plating processes can be used on a wide range of metal substrates. However, there are differences in suitability, performance and application value.

1. Carbon Steel Rivets

Applicability: The most common nickel-plated base material with a proven process.

Advantage: Significantly improve rust resistance, wear resistance and appearance quality.

Typical applications: structural components, industrial assemblies, decorative rivets.

2. Stainless Steel Rivets

Applicability: Can be plated, but special surface activation treatment is required.

Limitations:

Plating adhesion is relatively weak, easy to peel off due to thermal expansion and contraction or self-passivation.
Higher cost, usually used for decorative or locally conductive applications.

Recommendation: Not recommended for high strength riveting or heavy corrosive environments.

3. Copper / Brass Rivets

Suitability: excellent, good adhesion, flat and bright plating.

Advantage:

Exquisite appearance, suitable for decorative rivets.
Maintains good electrical conductivity, suitable for electrical contact applications.

Typical applications: electronic assembly, bag fasteners, appliance decorative parts.

4. Aluminum rivets (intermediate layer required)

Applicability: The natural oxide film on the surface of aluminum prevents direct nickel plating and cannot be plated directly.

Solution: Replacement plating (e.g. zinc or copper intermediate layer) is required before electroplating nickel.

Limitations:

Complicated process, unstable adhesion, easy to peel off due to riveting deformation.
High cost, not applicable to regular mass production.

Suggestion: If anti-corrosion or appearance treatment is required, anodizing is more recommended as an alternative.

Rivet Material	Nickel Plating Suitability	Process Feasibility	Recommendation Level	Remarks
Steel	Yes	Highly mature	★★★★★	Excellent for corrosion protection and decorative finish
Stainless Steel	Possible (with activation)	Requires special prep	★★☆☆☆	Limited to non-structural or decorative applications due to adhesion risks
Copper/Brass	Yes	Excellent adhesion	★★★★★	Ideal for electrical and aesthetic uses; bright, conductive finish
Aluminum	Not directly suitable	Needs intermediate layer	★☆☆☆☆	Complex process; anodizing is preferred for corrosion or appearance needs

Whether there is a potential for galvanic corrosion？

Nickel-plated rivets present a potential risk of galvanic corrosion (also known as “galvanic differential corrosion”) in certain usage scenarios.

Nickel-plated carbon steel rivets when assembled on aluminum or magnesium alloy substrates;
Nickel-plated copper rivets when used on stainless steel or aluminum profiles;

Both of these conditions may result in corrosion spots (commonly known as “creeping rings”) on the substrate around the rivet. Alternatively, the contact area may fail and the structure may loosen; long-term use may jeopardize the overall sealing and mechanical integrity of the assembly.

applications of nickel plated rivets

1. Home appliance industry

Typical products: microwave ovens, rice cookers, air conditioners, refrigerators.

Application reason: Nickel-plated rivets can provide better electrical conductivity and oxidation resistance, suitable for electrical contact parts or decorative surface connection.

2. Automobile manufacturing

Typical parts: lights, interior decorative parts, electrical system joints.

Application reasons: anti-corrosion, weather resistance, suitable for exposed environments or electrical connectors.

3. Electronic and electrical equipment

Typical products: relays, sockets, terminals, motor parts.

Reason for use: Nickel plating enhances electrical conductivity, prevents oxidation, and is particularly suitable for precision electronic assemblies.

4. Communication equipment

Typical products: racks, connectors, communication terminals.

Reason for application: Connection points that require wear resistance and stable electrical properties.

5. Lighting and decorative hardware

Typical products: chandeliers, table lamps, decorative panels.

Reason for application: nickel plated surface is bright, has good visual effect and anti-oxidation.

6. Medical equipment

Typical products: housing connectors, instrument fixing parts.

Reason for application: High cleanliness requirement, nickel plated surface is corrosion resistant and easy to clean.

Rivet Nickel Plated Specifications & Standards

Nickel-plated rivet coating thickness standard

Type	Plating Thickness	Typical Application
Decorative Nickel Plating	0.5 – 5 μm	High appearance demand, light-duty use
Functional Nickel Plating	5 – 25 μm	Corrosion resistance, conductivity
Heavy-Duty Industrial	≥25 μm	Harsh environments (marine, heavy industry)

Nickel plated rivets are commonly used for connectivity and electrical conductivity, and the majority of nickel plating thicknesses fall in the 5-10 μm range. This thickness provides both corrosion protection and cost control.

Compliance: RoHS / REACH / ISO

Nickel plated rivets are in most cases RoHS and REACH compliant.

For RoHS, as long as no restricted substances such as hexavalent chromium or cadmium are used in the plating process and a trivalent chromium or chromium-free process is used, it can basically be considered compliant.

For REACH, if the plating raw materials and processes do not involve Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC), along with material traceability and wastewater treatment compliance measures, they can also be considered as compliant with EU requirements. In addition, if we refer to ISO 4527 (plating quality), ISO 14588/15977 (rivet size and performance) and ISO 9227 (salt spray test) standards for production, it will be more quality assurance and international accessibility.

Nickel plated blind rivets —— cost & sourcing tips

cost of nickel plated rivets

The price of nickel-plated rivets mainly depends on the material, structure, plating thickness and purchase quantity. Take the common 4.8×12mm size for example:

Nickel-plated rivets made of carbon steel cost between $6 and $12 per thousand for general structural connections and are more cost-effective.
Aluminum rivets are slightly more expensive, usually between $ 9 and $ 16, because of its light weight and better corrosion resistance is more suitable for precision assembly or electronic equipment.
Stainless steel rivets are usually priced between $18 and $30 due to the cost of the material and the difficulty of machining, and are often used in applications requiring higher strength and corrosion resistance, such as outdoor or electrical systems.
If customized rivets with countersunk heads, large flanges or special constructions are required, the price will be 10 to 20 percent higher than the standard basis.
Products requiring higher nickel thickness (e.g., more than 10 microns) or RoHS/REACH compliance may increase in price by 5 to 15 percent.

sourcing tips of wholesale nickel plated blind rivets

When purchasing in large quantities, in order to improve the cost-effectiveness and control the risk, it is recommended to pay attention to the following points:

Unify specifications: Try to integrate internal requirements and unify rivet sizes and head types in order to improve purchasing concentration and compress unit costs.
Prioritize standard parts: Use products with international standard (e.g. ISO or GB) dimensions.
Ensure plating quality: Require suppliers to provide actual nickel layer thickness test reports (e.g. XRF test) and salt spray test results to avoid the problem of apparently qualified but poor plating adhesion.
Clarify environmental protection requirements: Ensure that products comply with regulations such as RoHS and REACH. It is recommended that suppliers be required to provide compliance reports within the validity period when purchasing.

Nickel-plated rivets installation and use of precautions

Nickel-plated rivets in the installation before the need to confirm the integrity of the coating, specification matching and hole diameter tolerance, to avoid inconsistent dimensions or installation interference resulting in coating peeling, connection failure.

During installation, matching riveting tools should be used and tension should be controlled to prevent deformation of the rivets or abnormal mandrel breakage. At the same time, attention should be paid to avoid oil or chemical contamination of the nickel layer to ensure that its conductivity and anti-corrosion properties are not destroyed.

After installation, the clamping force and plating condition should be checked. Confirm that there is no looseness, eccentricity or local corrosion problems. In applications with high electrical grounding or corrosion protection requirements, it is recommended to conduct conductivity testing and environmental adaptability verification. If there is any conductivity abnormality or risk of mass failure, the operation process and field procedure should be optimized in time.

custom nickel plated rivets for your business

At Rivmate, we specialize in custom nickel plated rivets.

Each rivet is customized to your exact specifications. Plating thicknesses and compliance standards are fully compliant with your standards. Seamless integration into your production line is guaranteed.

Choosing Rivmate means working with a manufacturer that has extensive experience in rivet manufacturing. We offer scalable production, strict quality control and fast lead times. From prototype development to high-volume orders, our custom nickel-plated rivets work consistently, cleanly and reliably in the field.