ABSOLUTLY NOT ALUMINUM rivets. There is not enough shear strength. That is why stainless and monel are used.
This is true for most aluminum blind (pop) type rivets such as you might buy from a hardware store or home center, but not all. Textron/Cherry makes aluminum blind rivets that are very strong; nearly as strong as a solid high-alloy aluminum rivet. Solid Al alloy rivets are stronger than typical SS blind rivets. Cherry Max rivets are pricey at .50-$1.00 each rivet, but well worth the cost in certain situations. You will probably not be able to pull them with a normal mechanical hand puller if bigger than .125" dia. Air/hydraulic is the only way. Cherrymax rivets are available in both 5056 Al alloy and Monel. Sometimes small lots show up on ebay or at surplus stores.
http://www.textronfasteningsystems.com/aerospace/html/product/rivets.htm#BulbedCherryMAXJimbo
