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Quality Certificate - Product Information

How to Select the Correct Blind Rivet

  • STRENGTH: Determine the shear and tensile strengths required for the application and then select a rivet that meets or exceeds those requirements. Rivet strength is a combination of rivet style, rivet material and rivet diameter. The joint strength required will determine the diameter and spacing of the Blind Rivet.

  • RIVET MATERIAL: Considerations in selecting the proper rivet material may be corrosion or temperature requirements. The rivet material should also be compatible with the materials being joined, to avoid galvanic corrosion. The Blind Rivet selected should be compatible with the materials being joined. Dissimilar materials can cause failure due to galvanic corrosion. Blind Rivets are available in the following material combinations:

  • Aluminum Rivet/Aluminum Mandrel

  • Aluminum Rivet/Steel Mandrel

  • Aluminum Rivet/Stainless Steel Mandrel

  • Steel Rivet/Steel Mandrel

  • Stainless Rivet/Steel Mandrel

  • Stainless Rivet/Stainless Steel Mandrel

  • Copper Rivet/Steel Mandrel

MATERIAL THICKNESS: Each Blind Rivet is engineered for a specific range of material thickness for which it will be effective. This range of material or work thickness is the blind rivet's "grip range".

  • RIVET HEAD STYLE: Our commercial rivets are available as standard in three head styles illustrated below.

domed head

DOMED HEADS are the most widely available and commonly used head style. The dome head flange offers good bearing surface and is suitable for many applications. Dome Head rivets are available in 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16" and 1/4" in all materials.

large head

LARGE HEADS (aka Large Flange) offers a larger bearing surface than the Dome Head and is suited for joining compressible or brittle materials to structural members, ie; wood/steel, plastic/steel. Large Flange rivets are available in 1/8", 5/32" and 3/16".

countersunk head

COUNTERSUNK HEADS are used in applications requiring a flush surface. Countersunk rivets are available in 1/8", 5/32", and 3/16".

  • RIVET HEAD SIZE: Our commercial rivets are available in the five diameters shown at the right. The total thickness of the material to be joined is the rivet "Grip Length".

rivet size

A TYPICAL EXAMPLE: The total thickness of the material to be joined must be within the rivet's Grip Range.

Application: Fasten sheet of 1/8" (3.2mm) steel to 1/'8" (3.2mm) steel stringer.

Strength: 400 lbs. (180 Kg) shear and 620 lbs. (280 Kg) Tensile per rivet.

Rivet Material: In contact with steel stringer, choose steel rivet for compatibility, as well as strength.

Rivet Head Style: (see diagram) Domed head is adequate for steel sheets.

Rivet Size: Steel stringer is pre-punched with .130" (3.3mm) hole. Total material thickness is 1/4" (6.4mm).

Choice: Diameter 1/8" (3.2mm) (see diagram)

Grip Range 1/4" (6.4mm) (see diagram)

Length .400" (10mm)

SSA44

Rivet to Specify: SSA44

HOLE SIZE: Proper hole size is important to insure the integrity of the fastened joint. The recommended hole size and tolerances are shown in the technical data charts. Oversized holes can cause problems in blind riveted joints. A solution is to select a blind rivet which creates an oversized upset head.

Standard Tubular (Deep Hole) Rivets

The following points should be considered when determining the rivet needed for your application:

  • RIVET TYPE

  • RIVET MATERIAL & FINISH: To provide the desired strength, appearance and resistance to corrosion.

  • RIVET PART NO.: This can be determind by referring to the data table for the particular rivet type chosen.

  • RIVET LENGTH: Rivet lengths are measured from under the head to the end of the shank. This rule does not apply, however to countersunk head rivets which are generally measured from the top of the head to the end of the shank. The length of rivet needed for a given application is usually determined by adding together the total material thickness and the clinch allowance for that particular diameter rivet. This figure may then be adjusted slightly to correspond to a normal length for the given shank diameter as set cut below:

rivet length

RIVET LENGTH = MATERIAL THICKNESS + CLINCH ALLOWANCE

(clinch allowances are given in the rivet data tables)

EXAMPLE:

You have decided to use a semi-tubular rivet with a shank diameter of 3/16". The total material thickness is .440". By adding the clinch allowance of .110" to this, you get .550". Therefore the rivet length to the nearest fraction is 9/16" (.562").

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The clinch allowances given in the data tables should be used as a guide only as certain assembly materials and other factors can often cause deviations. Ultimately the chosen rivet should be riveted into a test assembly before a final decision is made.

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Samples may be requested for evaluation.

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The rivet may then be ordered specifying part number, rivet length and finish.

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Rivet to Specify: RV924 x 9/16" zinc plated and waxed.

Solid Rivet Weights (Up to 7/16“ Diameter)

Approximate weight of 1000 round or button heads solid steel rivets in pounds.

WEIGHT DIFFERENCE TABLE

The table below shows the approximate number of pounds to be substracted from the round head weights given above when calculating weights for any of the standard heads as shown. The figures refer to a quantity of 1,000 rivets. NOTE: * in the case of brazier head, we are substracting a minus amount, i.e. adding the figure shown.

The above table refers to steel rivets only. The weights of rivets made from materials other than steel may be approximated by using the following multipliers:

Solid Rivet Weights (Over 7/16“ Diameter)

Approximate weight of 1000 button heads steel rivets in pounds.

Weights for rivets 7/16 dia. & smaller, see page 17.

Figures refer to 1,000 rivets.

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