Blind rivets

Blind rivets, also known as "pop rivets", are used in a wide variety of industries. They are used more often than you might think, because rivets are particularly practical when you only have access to the workpiece on one side, which is why they can be set quickly and easily. Blind rivets are generally used in general metalworking. Rivets are suitable for use wherever thin sheets or different materials need to be joined where conventional screw connections are impractical. They can be found in the automotive industry, for example, where the fasteners are often used to attach panelling or bumpers to the vehicle. Blind rivets are used in the general construction industry for façade construction or to fasten panels and roof profiles. The list is long, because blind rivets can also be used in the truck and trailer sector, in electronic applications or in the white goods sector.

The choice of the right blind rivet depends on various factors. Firstly, the application itself must be considered and what special requirements are placed on the blind rivet used. Not only does the size of the rivet play a role, but above all the material must be selected to suit the materials that are being joined together. Steel blind rivets are widely used, e.g. for joining heavy-duty components. They are usually found in applications where high tensile strength is required. Stainless steel rivets, on the other hand, are often found in areas where corrosion is a problem, as they are rust-resistant. Aluminium blind rivets are usually found in the automotive or aviation sectors in particular, as weight is very important in these industries and aluminium rivets are extremely light. But there are not only metal blind rivets - plastic blind rivets are often used to join plastic parts, as they are corrosion-free and only require minimal tightening values. Due to their electrical conductivity, copper blind rivets are often used in electrical applications. There are also rivets that consist of two materials and are therefore particularly versatile. Many other factors determine which blind rivet is best suited to which application. GESIPA supplies a wide range of the above-mentioned blind rivet types for every area of application.

Pop rivet is another term for blind rivet. Pop rivets are used to join two or more materials. Pop rivets are often used on components that are difficult to access, where access is only possible from one side. A pop rivet or blind rivet consists of two parts: The hollow rivet and the rivet mandrel. These fasteners are processed with a special riveting tool, which deforms the rivet head by pulling on the mandrel. The remaining rivet mandrel then breaks off, creating a clean rivet joint. Pop or blind rivets are available in a wide variety of designs and for different applications. For example, the GESIPA® CAP® blind rivets are airtight and watertight and the eFast PolyGrip switch cabinet rivets are electrically insulating.

There are different types of rivets in blind rivet technology.

Dome head blind rivets: The dome head rivet ensures a large contact surface and therefore a good hold of the rivet on the material. It is the classic blind rivet.

Countersunk blind rivets: The rivet head is countersunk. This enables a more attractive surface aesthetic and prevents injuries caused by protruding rivet heads.

Large flange blind rivets: With these blind rivets, the rivet head is relatively large compared to the rivet shank. This enables a larger contact surface, which can be an advantage in certain applications to ensure better load distribution or increased stability.

Multi-range blind rivets: With one dimension, a GESIPA® PolyGrip® blind rivet can replace up to five different dimensions of DIN standard blind rivets. The clamping range is therefore significantly larger and enables a wide range of applications with just one dimension.

Peel blind rivets: Peel blind rivets are press-fit blind rivets that are ideal for soft or porous components such as wood, fibreglass, hard fibre or plasterboard. During the setting process, the rivet mandrel falls out of the hollow rivet and the rivet mandrel divides the hollow rivet into four parts on the closing head side. These parts then bite into the material.

Magazine blind rivets: The blind rivets are mounted on a special rivet mandrel and are ready for immediate use. When a rivet is set, the next one moves in immediately so that the blind rivets can be processed quickly and without dropping or reloading.

Plastic rivets: As the name suggests, these blind rivets are made of plastic and are therefore electrically non-conductive, corrosion-free and particularly gentle on painted surfaces. They are mainly used when joining plastic parts or when only low tightening values are required.

There are also

Blind rivet nuts: These are fasteners that can be used to create a heavy-duty thread in thin materials, even if they are only accessible from one side.

Blind rivet studs: As a combination of blind rivet nut and screw, blind rivet studs are a technical and economical alternative to weld studs or other multi-part T-slot systems

Why do this type of rivet appear to be "blind"?

Technically speaking, the blind rivet consists of two components, the hollow rivet and the rivet mandrel. Whereas with other joining techniques, such as screwing, clinching and self-pierce riveting, the component must always be accessible from both sides, what is really special about the blind rivet is that only one side of the component needs to be accessible. Blind riveting is therefore a process in which the rivet holds two or more materials together by pressing them together. The back of the component does not have to be sealed in a second work step, but is automatically sealed by the technical design of the blind rivet.