You are here: Blind Rivet Knowledge Summary: Types, Specs, Selection and Common Problems - BISUDI
Blind rivets (commonly called pull rivets) are the most commonly used single-side riveting fasteners on cases, cabinets, sheet metal, home appliances and automotive parts, and the automatic riveting machine is the equipment that realizes automatic sorting, feeding and pull-riveting for them. In real inquiries, many faults and selection errors stem from not understanding the rivet itself. This article systematically summarizes blind-rivet types, specs, selection and usage problems for purchasing, process and equipment staff to compare.
I. How a blind rivet works
A blind rivet consists of two parts: the rivet body and the mandrel (core pin). During riveting the rivet gun grips the mandrel and pulls it backward; the blind end of the body expands to form a rivet head, clamping two or more plate layers, and once the set pulling force is reached the mandrel breaks at the break point, completing single-side riveting. It only needs operation from one side of the workpiece and works on boxes, tubes and closed cavities whose back is unreachable - its greatest efficiency advantage over solid rivets and bolted connections.
II. What types of blind rivets are there?
| Classification Dimension | Type | Feature/Use |
|---|---|---|
| By body structure | Open end | Most common and low-priced; the body end is open after the mandrel breaks; ordinary cases and sheet metal |
| Closed end | The body end is closed, waterproof and moisture-proof after riveting; for outdoor, rain-exposed and sealed parts | |
| By head shape | Round head (oval round head) | Standard type with a large pressing area; used where the surface allows a protrusion |
| Countersunk head | Flush with the panel after riveting; for appearance faces and slide-rail faces | |
| By function | Double-drum/multi-drum type | Forms multiple drums to spread the clamping force; suited to thin plates and soft materials |
| Structural (high-strength) | Mandrel locks without loosening, anti-vibration and high clamping force; common in automotive/new energy | |
| Pull-through/grooved type | Large clamping margin; suited to thick-thin plate stacking and multi-hole layers | |
| By material | Aluminum/steel, all-aluminum, all-steel, stainless steel, copper | Chosen by strength, corrosion resistance and electrochemical compatibility |
III. Difference between open-end and closed-end blind rivets
| Comparison Item | Open end | Closed end |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Hollow open body | Body end closed into a dome |
| Water resistance | Not waterproof | Sealed after riveting, prevents rainwater ingress |
| Mandrel residue | The broken mandrel may loosen and fall out | The broken mandrel is enclosed in the closed end and does not easily fall out |
| Price | Low | Relatively high |
| Typical use | Indoor cases/cabinets, internal home-appliance parts | Outdoor cabinets, lamps, vehicles, humid kitchen/bath environments |
IV. Difference between semi-tubular rivets and blind rivets
| Comparison Item | Blind rivet | Semi-tubular rivet |
|---|---|---|
| Riveting method | Pull gun single-side riveting, blind-mandrel forming | Needs two-side operation; a punch/spin riveter curls the hollow end |
| Equipment | Automatic riveting machine/rivet gun | Spin riveter, press riveter, etc. |
| Reachability | Single-side work, usable on closed cavities | Back needs support or a die |
| Typical scenario | Cases/cabinets, sheet-metal boxes, home-appliance housings | Hardware, luggage, hinges, precision small parts |
The two are not substitutes but chosen by workpiece structure and back reachability; an automatic riveting machine only fits blind rivets, while semi-tubular rivets need spin/press riveting equipment - confirm the process direction before purchasing to avoid buying the wrong model.
V. How to choose rivets? Four key factors
First,riveting thickness (riveting range): the body length must cover the total plate thickness - too short rivets loosely, too long forms poorly, and the catalog marks each model's riveting-thickness interval; second,hole-diameter matching: the standard hole diameter is usually 0.1-0.2mm larger than the rivet diameter - an over-large hole loosens the rivet point, an over-small one won't admit the body; third,material combination: generally the body material should be close to the workpiece material to avoid electrochemical corrosion, and stainless parts prefer stainless rivets; fourth,strength and appearance: heavy-load/vibration parts choose structural, appearance faces choose countersunk, and outdoor use chooses closed end. Providing these parameters together with physical sample rivets to the equipment maker ensures the correct nozzle and channel; for details seeCan Automatic Riveting Machines Use Rivets of Any Specification。
VI. Common blind-rivet problems, causes and prevention
| Symptom | Common Cause | Prevention/Action |
|---|---|---|
| Mandrel won't break | Nozzle mismatch, insufficient air pressure, abnormal rivet hardness | Verify nozzle spec, ensure air pressure, replace qualified-batch rivets |
| Rivet point loose, can rotate | Insufficient rivet length, over-large hole, insufficient pulling force | Choose length by plate thickness, control hole diameter, verify equipment pulling force |
| Panel pull-through/over-deep indentation | Gun head not seated flat, round head used in a countersunk hole, excessive force | Seat the nozzle to the panel, match head type to hole type, adjust pulling force |
| Jam/incomplete feeding | Burred/deformed rivets, channel-spec mismatch, dirty feed tube | Control incoming quality, change nozzle and clear channel with spec change, clean periodically |
| Broken-mandrel rattle | Open-end mandrel not gripped, falling into the cavity | Switch closed cavities/noise-sensitive parts to closed or structural type |
| Post-riveting rust | Aluminum/steel mixing, humid environment | Choose stainless/closed type, add waterproofing if needed |
Most apparent "equipment faults" of an automatic riveting machine are actually rivet-spec, hole-diameter or incoming-material problems; it is recommended to classify and retain defect samples by symptom and have the engineer determine the responsible link on site at trial.
Rivet Knowledge FAQ
Blind Rivet FAQ
Q1: Can an automatic riveting machine mix rivets from different makers?
In principle yes if specs match, but different makers have different dimensional tolerances and surface treatments, and the jam rate may change; before mass production it is recommended to run continuous sampling with the rivet batch planned for purchase.
Q2: How many specs can one machine handle?
Similar specs can be compatible via nozzle change and channel adjustment; with large head-diameter/length differences or different materials, multi-channel or multiple machines are needed; for details seeWhat Types of Automatic Riveting Machines Are There。
Q3: Are rivet nuts and blind rivets the same thing?
No. A rivet nut forms an internal thread on thin plate for later screw assembly; a blind rivet is a direct connection. Automotive parts plants use rivet nuts heavily; seeNew Energy Vehicle Parts Riveting Case。
Q4: How to quickly determine a rivet spec?
Use calipers to measure head diameter, rivet diameter and body length, confirm material and head type, and take clear nameplate and physical photos to send the maker; when unsure, send sample rivets - physical measurement by the engineer is safest.
Unsure whether the rivet matches the model? Send samples for measurement
Customers can book an engineer on site to continuously sample with your rivets and workpieces, verifying feeding, cycle and yield; consultation hotline+86 13556668682。
Further reading:Automatic Riveting Machine Buying Guide (Full) · Compatibility Spec and Selection Notes · Automatic Riveting Machine Selection Consultation
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