Blind Rivet

Blind:  (As in break-mandrel Blind Rivets, or “pop” rivets)  A blind rivet is a two-piece fastener consisting of a rivet body (sometimes called a “sleeve”) and the setting device called a mandrel. (or, stem or nail)  A blind rivet is used where access to a joint is limited to one side.  (You cannot “see” the other side of the joint, therefore it is “blind”)  A blind rivet is set by pulling the mandrel head into the rivet body, expanding the rivet body and causing it to flare against the reverse side.  As the head of the mandrel reaches the face of the blind side of the material, and at a pre-determined force, the mandrel will snap at the break point of the mandrel.  The rivet body forms a tight joint, the head of the mandrel remains encapsulated in the blind side, and the mandrel stem is ejected.

Blind Rivet:  Blind rivets can be set by relatively inexpensive tooling, which reduces costs. Structural blind rivets are also available for the aircraft industry and commercial uses. Structural blind rivets are employed where a solid rivet would normally by used, but where access to a joint is limited to one side.