Rivets

What is a Pop Rivet?

POP rivets are used to connect two pieces of material in a quick efficient manner with a hand riveter or pneumatic rivet gun. They are tubular and comprised of a hat and mandrel; the length of the mandrel is snapped off when installed. The hat and mandrel can also be made by the same material or a combination of two materials. Rivets are measured in installed grip range and length.

Trade Names: Blind, Domed Open End, Closed End, Countersunk, Large Flange Open End, Multi Grip and Structural Rivets

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How do Pop Rivets work?

Pop Rivets comprise of two parts. The initial segment is known as the rivet body (also called shell or cap) and the second part is known as the mandrel (also called the stem).

In circumstances where access to the two sides of a segment is constrained, a hole is first made through the parts to be joined. A pop rivet is then embedded through the hole and the rivet body is then brought into contact with the parts. A pop rivet gun is set on the rivet, pulling the mandrel into the rivet body, making it grow and grasp the parts to be joined. Once gripped, the mandrel snaps, holding the rivet in place.

How many varieties of Blind Rivets are available?

The answer is MANY! See the list of available options and descriptions below:

Open End Rivets

Open end create a fast and tight assembly, however they are not water tight. Open End Rivets get their name because the mandrel is exposed at the bottom of the rivet prior to installation. Open end are available in stainless steel, aluminum and zinc plated steel. Color options are available in Aluminum for this type.

Closed End Rivets

Closed End POP Rivets differ from a standard pop rivet in that they feature a flat, closed end which creates a watertight seal. Also known as a waterproof rivet, they are distinguished by their flat top. The mandrel is encased within the blind rivet itself.

Countersunk Rivets

A countersunk blind rivet, also known as a Flat Rivet, is used in countersunk holes and once set, finish flush to the surface. They are used in tracks where the head will not protrude into sliding tracks or rollers. The hat of the rivet is almost inverted, with a 120 degree countersink in the integrated washer.

Large Flange Rivets

Large flange, also known as Oversized, have a larger washer on the hat than standard. Large Flange Rivets are tubular, comprised of a hat and mandrel; the length of the mandrel is snapped off when installed.

Multi Grip Rivets

Multi Grip Rivets can substitute in applications where the thickness of the riveted material varies. One Multi Grip Rivet has the grip range of different sizes. This grip range allows for flexibility in design and a lower rivet inventory, as one size of Multi Grip rivet can be suitable for a variety of jobs, including mismatched holes. One Multi Grip Rivet can be used as an equivalent for at least three different rivet sizes.

Tri-Fold / Exploding Rivets

Tri-Fold Rivets sre designed to create three anchor points on the blind side of the installation. This creates a wider bearing load spread which is ideal for thin metals and plastics. Tri-Fold Rivets are commonly used in automotive, trailer and appliance applications.

Structural / Interlock Rivets

Structural, or, interlock blind rivets in stainless steel. Interlock pop rivets create a stronger assembly than standard stainless steel, because of the amount of force that they generate. Domed head rivets in this selection are commonly referred to as both Interlock and Structural Rivets.

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POP Rivet Types and Materials | Fasteners 101

POP Rivet Types and Materials Transcript Scroll Down To Continue Reading Bob: Welcome back to Albany County Fasteners - Fasteners 101. I'm Bob and today we're going to talk about the different types of rivets available and the materials they come in. So, let's get started. So, let's review the different materials available and types of rivets. This is a structural rivet. This particular rivet is steel and steel. The mandrel is steel, and the hat is steel. This is what they call a blind rivet. These three are aluminum rivets. These are just typical pop or blind rivets, in aluminum. We also have what we call a white hat rivet with an aluminum mandrel. So, here's the mandrel and that's the white hat, so when you put the rivet in and complete it all you're gonna see is a white finish like for a white soffit or a brown soffit. They come in different colors depending upon the finish that you're installing them in. These are zinc plated rivets. These are large flange. You can see here, the large dome flange on this hat. So it covers more surface when you're installing. These are copper/brass rivets. The mandrel is brass and the hat is copper. These are copper rivets (with a copper hat and copper plated mandrel. A lot of roofers use these rivets for flashing and many other applications, soffits, downspouts. So many different applications for the brass. These are stainless blind pop rivets. I have several different types and this is what we call a closed end pop rivet. You can see here the back is square and solid. These are waterproof, so if you install these in a water application, these will not leak or build water up inside the tubular part of the rivet. These are also stainless countersunk pop rivets. You'll see that there's a, I believe it's a 33 degree hat, on here. So when you install this rivet it will be flush with the material. So, these are installed in a lot of things like tracks, that you're, putting a rail in or something along that that you just don't want any type of head sticking up. Then we have what we call multi-grip rivets. With multi-grip, they're based upon increments of 2. So a multi-grip will go from: 4-2, 4-4 and 4-6. So it will cover three different lengths. That's why they call them multi-grip rivets. And that's basically the materials that blind pop rivets come in and the different types of rivets.

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Need more rivet information?

For more information on rivets including numbers (6-6 or 66), measurements, how to install rivets, grip range and more, please review our Rivet Guide in Fasteners 101.