What is a Blind Rivet And What is it Used For?

The world of fasteners is varied and diverse. We are used to working with nuts, bolts and screws. However, these fastener types sometimes come with a disadvantage. They often leave a permanent mark on the items being fastened in the sense that the head and the screwed part are typically visible and generally stick out.

This is not always convenient for items that need to be more aerodynamic or for those items that need fastening with one “blind” side to them. This is where blind rivets come into play, facilitating a robust fastening process with little trace of any drilling. But what is a blind rivet, how do they work and what are they used for? Find out more below.

What is a blind rivet?

Let’s begin by looking at the answer to the question: what are blind rivets? Blind rivets are fasteners that come in many different materials, such as plastic and metal, and they are used to fasten materials together. Where they get their name from is that these rivets are often used when one side of the surface that needs to be fastened is inaccessible.

Therefore, blind rivets are a useful alternative to riveting and fastening as the mandrel and rivet work together when pressure is applied to create a smooth “head” on the invisible side, making for a seamless surface even if it cannot be physically reached.

What are blind rivets used for?

Having covered the basics of what blind rivets are, let’s explore what are blind rivets used for. These fasteners have many different applications, ranging from aeronautics to vehicle manufacturing.

However, closer to home, they can be used in gutter installations and construction, attaching a nameplate or a sign to a wall, attaching hinges, boat construction and many more.

How does a blind rivet work?

So, how do you use blind rivets? In other words, how do blind rivets work? Let’s first look at the anatomy of the blind rivet. It essentially comprises two parts: the rivet (which can be considered akin to a head) and the mandrel (which is the shaft). It looks similar to a nail but works distinctly differently from simply applying a hammer to the head.
Instead, the “head” of the rivet is inserted into the desired hole, pressure is applied with a special drill and two things happen. Firstly, the “head” flattens on the inner surface, creating a sound fastening effect. And secondly, the mandrel becomes disjointed from the rivet as the two materials are now fastened well and in a sturdy way, even without full visibility on the other side.

What is the difference between a rivet and a blind rivet?

In the sphere of rivets, there are some fundamental differences between rivets and blind rivets. When it comes to rivets in general, these are used to fasten materials together when both sides are visible and physically accessible. On the other hand, blind rivets are used when one side of the part that needs fastening is not accessible.

What are the differences between a blind rivet and a pop rivet?

In addition to the above, it’s important to look at whether there are any differences between a blind rivet vs pop rivet. The short answer is that there aren’t any. The terms are often used interchangeably. The word “pop” rivet is a manufacturer’s trade name and it came about because of the popping sound the riveting would make when a blind rivet was installed.

What material are blind rivets made of?

We already mentioned that rivets can join or fasten many different materials together, including metal, wood and plastic. However, what materials are these rivets made of? The answer is that they come in many different materials, including:

• Steel
• Stainless steel blind rivets
• Aluminium
• Copper
• Stinox
• Plastic

What head shapes are available for blind rivets?

You can get blind rivet sizes and head shapes in a number of different varieties. Here at Ducting Express, we offer a broad range of blind rivets for sale for many uses and in multiple sizes. A few examples of these include:

• 3.2 x 16
• 3.2 x 8
• 3 x 6
• 3 x 12

What are the three types of rivets?

You may be surprised that the world of rivets is quite extensive and that you can find, in addition to blind rivets, tubular, solid and split rivets, as well. Each one serves a unique function and is suitable for fastening different materials together, so it’s always recommended that you consult with a professional if you aren’t sure which rivet type is right for you.

Do blind rivets leak?

Wondering if blind rivets are watertight? The answer is that they can be. But this comes with a caveat: it also depends on whether the materials they are fastening are water resistant as well.

How to measure a blind rivet

Measuring the size of a blind rivet that you’ll need will depend on many factors. However, the standard formula applies is as follows:

Diameter = ¼ x grip range

Here, the grip range refers to the thickness of the materials you actually need to rivet. As for the diameter, you need to be looking at the size of the rivet head to make the calculation.

How do you install blind rivets?

Blind rivet installation is quite simple if you have the right tools at your side. You simply need to place the rivet in the desired hole and then use your tool to press it in while applying the right amount of pressure for the mandrel to be pushed into the rivet head and fasten the materials together.

How to remove a blind rivet

As for how to remove a blind rivet, you simply need a drill to unscrew it. However, watch out for the rivet spinning during the unfastening process. If this occurs, you should hold it down with duct tape or hold it in place securely with a secure method, ensuring you do not hurt yourself.

Conclusion

And there you have it — your comprehensive guide to blind rivets and pop rivets. Whichever name you choose to call it, they ultimately fulfil the same function. Namely, they help fasten materials together where one side is not accessible. Useful for many different applications, blind rivets can create a smooth finish and a more sturdy fastening process.

However, if you aren’t sure of what sizes you need or which rivet material will be best for your fastening exercise, simply get in touch with us. The friendly and helpful team at Ducting Express is at your service, ready to lend a helping hand when you need it most.