Repair Systems — 03 — Facade & External Envelope
Rivet / Concealed-Fix Systems
Technical product reference for blind rivet and concealed clip-fix systems for facade cladding panels. Products include SS 316 and aluminium open-end and closed-end blind rivets, and proprietary concealed clip fixing systems eliminating visible fasteners from the face of the cladding.
What are rivet and concealed fix systems?
Rivets and concealed fixing clips provide the cladding panel-to-rail connection in systems where either high corrosion resistance is required (stainless 316 blind rivets) or where no fixing should be visible on the panel face (slip-fit clips, cassette secret-fix clips, groove clips). Selection depends on the panel type, aesthetic requirement, and coastal zone classification.
Product Reference
4 product systems — rivet and concealed fix — scroll to view all
Avdel SS316 Breakstem Rivet — Large-Flange — Aluminium and FC Cladding
Structural Blind Rivet — SS316 — large-flange breakstem
System Description
Avdel 316 stainless large-flange breakstem blind rivets are used for cladding panel-to-subframe connections where the fixing is visible on the panel face but must be highly corrosion resistant. The large 14 mm flange distributes load over a wider area on thin FC or aluminium cladding panels, reducing stress concentrations at the fixing hole that can initiate cracking under cyclic thermal and wind loading. The 316 stainless body and mandrel provide HCR corrosion resistance for coastal applications. Suitable for aluminium cassette to subframe fixing and FC sheet to top-hat rail where screw-fix is not practical. Pre-drilled hole required in both panel and subframe before installation.
Technical Properties
- Material: 316 stainless steel body and mandrel — HCR rated per AS 3566
- Flange diameter: 14 mm large-flange series — distributes load on thin panels
- Rivet diameters: 4.8 mm, 6.4 mm — confirm against substrate thickness
Limitations
- Visible fixing on panel face — not concealed; confirm aesthetic requirement before specifying
- Rivet mandrel must break cleanly — check tool calibration before commencing installation
- Pre-drilled hole required in both panel and subframe — hole size matched to rivet diameter
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Moeding Slip-fit Terracotta Clip — Concealed Aluminium
Concealed Slip-fit Clip — Terracotta system
System Description
Moeding terracotta slip-fit clips are anodised aluminium retention clips that engage the kerf (slot) in the back of extruded terracotta laths without any fixing penetrating the panel face. The clips are screwed to the horizontal aluminium rail, and the terracotta lath slides over the clip from the side — fully concealed when installed. Individual panels can be replaced without disturbing adjacent cladding, which is critical on high-rise facades where scaffold costs dominate remediation budgets. This is the standard installation method for Moeding Alphaton and Shildan Argeton terracotta systems and is mandatory for the system fire test certification to remain valid.
Technical Properties
- Material: 6063-T6 aluminium — anodised finish — coastal zone rated
- Clip engagement: 8 mm kerf depth in extruded terracotta back — proprietary profile
- Panel retention: gravity plus friction in kerf — no adhesive or visible fastener
Limitations
- Proprietary to Moeding and Shildan Argeton terracotta systems — no generic substitution
- Clip profile must be factory-matched to specific lath kerf geometry — cannot be modified on site
- Installation by Moeding/Shildan trained installer required for system warranty to remain valid
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Fairview Secret-Fix Cassette Clip — Solid Aluminium Replacement
Secret-Fix Cassette Clip — solid aluminium ACP replacement
System Description
Fairview secret-fix cassette clips are 316 stainless clip units that engage the bent-return flange of solid aluminium cassette panels. The clips are fixed to the aluminium Z-section or top-hat rail, and the panel cassette locks onto the clip as it is slid into position — no fasteners penetrate or are visible on the panel face. This system is used as a direct replacement for the Fairview ACP cassette system, providing an aesthetically identical facade with non-combustible solid aluminium panels in compliance with NCC 2022. System must be supplied complete from Fairview — clips are matched to specific panel geometry and cannot be substituted.
Technical Properties
- Material: 316 stainless steel clips — coastal and marine zone rated
- Panel engagement: 15 mm return flange on cassette panel — positive mechanical lock
- Wind load retention: up to 3.0 kN/m² — engineer to confirm per project wind zone
Limitations
- Proprietary system — clips and panels must be ordered together from Fairview — no substitution
- Z-section rail must be the Fairview-specified profile — other rail profiles not compatible
- Panel removal requires Fairview specialist tool — not accessible to general installer
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
Concealed FC Panel Clip SS316 — Groove-Engaged
Concealed Fix Clip — FC architectural panel — groove-engaged
System Description
Concealed fix clips for FC architectural panels (Equitone, Cemintel Territory) engage a factory-routed groove in the panel back face, allowing the panel to lock onto the clip without any visible fastener on the panel face. The 316 stainless clips are screwed to the aluminium rail before panel installation — the panel slides down and clips into position from the top. This system requires factory-grooved panels ordered to specific dimensions — on-site cutting destroys the groove. Suitable for facades where a clean, screw-free face is required, and widely used in residential and commercial FC panel cladding remediation.
Technical Properties
- Material: 316 stainless steel clip body — coastal rated
- Panel groove: factory-routed — 6 mm depth, 3 mm wide — proprietary to panel brand
- Clip engagement force: 800–1,200 N pull-out — confirm against project wind suction load
Limitations
- Panels must be factory-grooved to correct depth — on-site routing is not acceptable
- Panel dimensions are fixed at ordering stage — measure and order carefully before committing
- Clip geometry varies between FC panel manufacturers — system is panel-specific
PROCUREMENT SOURCES
Confirm suitability with the current manufacturer TDS before specifying or applying.
System Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of rivet and concealed fix systems. Confirm all product selections against the current manufacturer TDS before specifying.
| Product system | Brand | Fixing type | Material | Visible fix | Coastal | Panel type | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avdel SS316 Breakstem Rivet | Avdel / Bollhoff | Blind rivet — breakstem | 316 Stainless body + mandrel | Yes — visible on face | Yes — HCR rated | Aluminium cassette / FC sheet | Panel to rail — visible face acceptable |
| Moeding Slip-fit Terracotta Clip | Moeding / Shildan | Concealed slip-fit clip | Anodised 6063-T6 aluminium | No — fully concealed | Yes — anodised | Terracotta lath — extruded kerf | Terracotta concealed system — individual replaceability |
| Fairview Secret-Fix Cassette Clip | Fairview Architectural | Secret-fix cassette clip | 316 Stainless Steel | No — fully concealed | Yes | Solid aluminium cassette | ACP replacement — non-combustible cassette |
| Concealed FC Panel Clip SS316 | Equitone / Cemintel | Groove-engaged concealed clip | 316 Stainless Steel | No — fully concealed | Yes | Factory-grooved FC architectural panel | Equitone / Cemintel Territory — clean panel face |
Do not confuse rivet / concealed-fix systems with:
- Structural bolts and threaded rod — heavy structural connection elements for steel-to-steel or primary structural joints; rivets and concealed clips are for fixing facade cladding panels to subframes, not for primary structural connections
- Open blind rivets into a thin substrate without backing plate — standard open-end rivets pull through thin unsupported sheet; facade panel blind rivets must be installed into the subframe flange with correct drill and rivet sizing to achieve required pull-out force
- Aluminium pop rivets in coastal or marine zones — aluminium rivets corrode in salt-laden environments; only SS 316 mandrel and body rivets should be used in coastal and marine zones to prevent staining and fastener failure
- Concealed spring clips used as face-fixings — some clip systems are subframe integration clips, not panel face-fixings; confirm whether the clip is rated to carry the panel weight in shear and pull-out before specification
Disclaimer
Information is general only. Rivet and concealed-fix selection must be confirmed by a structural engineer against design wind and dead load requirements. Pull-out and shear capacity must be verified for the specific substrate and panel weight. Do not rely on this reference as a substitute for professional engineering advice.