General Information

What is a Blind Rivet?

It's a two-part fastener
(Click on diagram to enlarge)

How does a Blind Rivet work?

(Click on diagram to enlarge)

What size Blind Rivet to use?

The "Grip Range" or total thickness of materials to be fastened, plus the rivet diameter is equal to the ideal Blind Rivet length. eg.

Material thickness = 10mm
Blind Rivet diameter = 4.8mm
10mm + 4.8mm = 14.8mm
∴ choose a rivet length of 15mm

Note: Rivet length should be measured from under head (flange) to end of shaft. Steel mandrel head should not be included.

When calculating the suitable length of a Peeled rivet, take the total thickness of materials to be fastened and add on double the rivets diameter. eg.

Material thickness = 10mm
Blind Rivet diameter = 4.8mm x 2 = 9.6mm
10mm + 9.6mm = 19.6mm
∴ choose a rivet length of 18/21mm

What hole size to drill?

Rivet Diameter	Hole Size	Hole size for: peeled/ grooved/multigrip rivets
2.4mm	2.5mm	2.6mm
3.2mm	3.3mm	3.4mm
4.0mm	4.1mm	4.2mm
4.8mm	4.9mm	5.0mm
6.4mm	6.5mm	6.6mm

Rivet strengths

Tensile and Sheer strengths:

Weakest	Aluminium
↓	Steel
↓	Nickel Copper Alloy
Strongest	Stainless Steel

Types of Blind Rivets

Open Type

Wide range of products in different body materials and head styles. For use where applications do not have high load bearing requirements.

Head Styles

Dome Head
Countersunk Head
Large flange Head: Use when the head is in direct contact with a softer material, eg Plastic, wood, fiberglass, etc.

Closed End Type (Sealed)

Where the riveted joint should be water-/pressure-tight, eg Roofing.

Head Styles

Dome Head
Countersunk Head

Peeled Type

Suitable for joining plastics, rubber, wood and laminates. Widely used in the assembly of caravans, trailers, furniture, plastic-framed windows - any products involving joining of soft or friable materials.

Tolerant of oversized holes, 'Peel' can draw together and clamp poorly aligned components.