Commercial Aluminum Blind Rivet

Commercial:  Rivets for commercial usage include break-mandrel blind “pop” rivets, structural blind rivets such as, monobolts, Q-rivets, repetition rivets, semi-tubular rivets, and threaded inserts. Rapid Rivet is Your Rivet Specialist. We are a Master Stocking Distributor of rivets, rivet nuts, threaded inserts, and tooling. We have a large and varied inventory to meet your needs. No automated telephone answering system here at Rapid Rivet. Speak directly to a knowledgeable salesperson who will assist you in selecting the rivet you require. We pride ourselves in our ability to give you a fast and competitive quotation. Many items are in stock, and next day delivery is available when requested. Most items are available with manufacturer’s certifications and test reports. We also can offer bar coding, unit packaging, and will set parts and shipments up for long-term release dates.

Aluminum:  Aluminum & Aluminum Alloys.  Aluminum is the primary component of aircraft and aerospace structures.  Although a more expensive material than steel, it is the least expensive of the non-ferrous metals, which makes it attractive for commercial and aerospace use.  Aluminum is light in weight, about 1/3 the weight of steel, and has a high strength-to-weight ratio.  There is very little pure aluminum in existence in nature as an element, all commercial aluminum is processed from a material called bauxite.  Aluminum is non-magnetic.  It has a fairly low melting point, which makes it somewhat unsuitable in high temperature environments.  Aluminum has good electrical and heat conductivity.  It has good corrosion resistance, and can be used in an un-plated form or for better corrosion resistance, can be plated or anodized.  Aluminum is normally heat treated, except in the commercial, dead-soft varieties.  There are a number of different alloys of aluminum that are used for rivets, including (in order of strength properties) 1100F, 5056-H32, 2117-T4, 2017-T4, 2024-T4, & 7050-T73.

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.