Electrical contact rivets manufacturer
Electrical Contact Rivets for Relays, Switches and Contactors
Custom solid, bimetal and tri-metal electrical contact rivets with silver alloy working faces and conductive copper or copper-alloy bases, produced to customer drawings for switching-device assembly.
Electrical Contact Rivet Types
The structure should be selected from the drawing, electrical load and assembly method. These three families cover the most common sourcing discussions.
Solid Contact Rivets
The head and body use one contact material system. Solid designs can suit small parts or applications where material volume and forming requirements justify the construction.
Bimetal Contact Rivets
A silver alloy working head is bonded to a conductive copper or copper-alloy body. This places the contact material at the switching face while controlling silver usage.
Tri-Metal Contact Rivets
For drawings that require two silver-colored contact ends with a copper middle section, the three-component structure provides working material on both specified faces.
Solid vs Bimetal vs Tri-Metal Contact Rivets
| Structure | Contact-material placement | Typical sourcing reason | What the drawing must confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solid | One material system through the part | Simple geometry or application-specific forming requirement | All dimensions, alloy and permitted material usage |
| Bimetal | Silver alloy working head on copper base | Balance switching performance, conductivity and silver usage | Head layer, shank, shoulder and bonding interface |
| Tri-metal | Silver alloy faces separated by copper middle section | Double-sided contact requirement or three-component assembly design | Both end faces, copper section and orientation in assembly |
What Are Electrical Contact Rivets?
Electrical contact rivets are precision switching components made with a flat silver alloy contact face and a conductive rivet body. In relays, switches, contactors, and circuit breakers, the silver alloy face carries and interrupts current, while the copper or brass shank fixes the contact to a terminal, spring blade, or contact support. Their shape is not the same as ordinary construction rivets: contact rivets are designed around electrical performance, contact resistance, arc behavior, and repeatable assembly.
Core Structure
The purpose of a riveted contact is to place the expensive silver alloy only where switching happens, while the supporting body provides conductivity, mechanical fixing, and cost control.
Flat silver alloy head
The working surface is usually a flat circular silver alloy cap selected for arc resistance, anti-welding performance, and stable contact resistance.
Copper or brass shank
The cylindrical body provides conductive support and mechanical fastening to the customer's terminal, blade, or contact carrier.
Stepped shoulder
The shoulder or flange helps positioning, riveting force distribution, and consistent assembly in high-volume electrical device production.
Specification Areas To Confirm
A quote should be based on the drawing, application, material, tolerance, and annual quantity. The exact geometry is normally customized to the customer's device.
| Item | Typical options | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Contact head | Flat circular silver alloy cap, custom diameter and thickness | Controls contact area, wear volume, heat behavior, and switching life. |
| Shank / body | Copper, brass, copper alloy, or customer-specified conductive body | Affects conductivity, forming behavior, riveting strength, and cost. |
| Shoulder / flange | Single-step or multi-step shoulder depending on assembly design | Supports positioning and repeatable mechanical assembly. |
| Head material | Ag, AgNi, AgSnO2, AgCdO, AgC, AgW, AgZnO and related alloys | Determines arc resistance, anti-welding behavior, conductivity, and environmental fit. |
| Application | Relay, switch, contactor, circuit breaker, appliance control, automotive relay | Load type and switching duty decide the best material and geometry. |
| Inspection | Dimensional check, visual inspection, bonding verification, packing check | Reduces incoming inspection and assembly risks for OEM buyers. |
Contact Head Material Options
The silver alloy contact face should match the real load condition, not just the drawing size.
Engineering Guides for Contact Rivet Selection
Use these guides for the informational detail behind structure, cost, manufacturing and relay selection.
Typical Applications
Relays
Automotive, appliance, signal, power, and industrial relay contact systems.
Switches
Control switches and low-voltage switching devices using riveted contact assemblies.
Contactors
Motor-control and industrial contactors requiring stronger arc and welding resistance.
Circuit Breakers
Protection devices where contact stability and material selection are critical.
Production And Review Flow
Drawing review
Confirm geometry, tolerance, head material, body material, and application conditions.
Material selection
Match AgNi, AgSnO2, AgCdO, AgW, AgZnO or other alloys to the load type.
Sample or tooling
Prepare sample production or tooling route according to quantity and complexity.
Inspection and shipment
Check dimensions, appearance, packing, and documentation before shipment.
Send These Details For A Faster Quote
If you do not know the exact contact material yet, send the electrical load and application information. The material can be recommended during review.
RFQ checklist
- Drawing, sample photo, or existing part number
- Head diameter, shank diameter, total height
- Preferred silver alloy or current material
- Device type and load condition
- Trial quantity and annual quantity
Related Electrical Contact Products
Need Custom Electrical Contact Rivets?
Contactrivets can review your drawing, sample, load condition, and material requirements, then recommend a suitable riveted contact structure for quotation.