How does a blind rivet work?

After inserting the rivet into the components bore holes, the rivet mandrel is pulled back by the tool and forms the closing head. The mandrel or parts of it can remain in the shaft after reaching the predetermined break point.

A matching riveting tool is required for processing of the blind rivet. This can be actuated by muscle force (hand-held tools) or external force (e.g. pneumatic or hydraulic settings tools or battery riveters).

Open, closed or high strength versions, multigrip or expanding blind rivets, with dome head, countersunk head or large head - the variety of available dimensions and types is almost unlimited.

The blind rivet consists of a body assembled to the rivet mandrel.

The setting of blind rivets occurs from one side of the construction element.

1. Mandrel head

2. Rivet body

3. Setting head

4. Mandrel

The rivet mandrel is needed for shaping the rivet body

The mandrel selection is based on the shaft type and on the requirements with regard to processing and operating properties. In order to enhance the rivet’s shearing force, some rivet types use a captive mandrel which remains in place after the connection has been made.

1. Mandrel head

2. Break point

3. Knurling option

4. Top

The rivet body is the element which makes the connection

1. Rivet body

2. Setting head (countersunk head)

3. Setting head (dome head)

1. The blind rivet is inserted with the mandrel into the setting tool and positioned in the rivet hole.

2. When the setting tool stroke is triggered, the mandrel is gripped by the clamping jaws and pulled. The mandrel head reshapes the end of the rivet sleeve. The process is completed when the mandrel head reaches the height of the part surface.

3. This position is signalled by a significant increase in force with which the mandrel breaks off at its predetermined breaking point. The sheared mandrel is removed and the breakstem remains in the rivet.

The shear breaking force is the force that a rivet can withstand in radial direction before it fails due to fracture. Depending on the riveting principle, the forces are determined with or without the breakstem overlapping the shear zone. The test device described in DIN EN ISO 14589 is used for the static measurement.

Shear breaking force - measured values (PDF)

The tensile breaking force is the force that a rivet can withstand in axial direction before it fails due to fracture. The test device described in DIN EN ISO 14589 is generally used for the static measurement.

Tensile breaking force - measured values (PDF)

Corrosion and corrosion protection
Although it is essentially not possible to prevent corrosion, the corrosion process can be delayed by suitable measures. The following types of corrosion are crucial and have to be considered in their complexity when designing the riveted joints: Contact corrosion and surface corrosion.

Technical explanations - corrosion