What is a Blind Rivet?
A blind rivet, otherwise known as a POP rivet, is a specialized fastener that assists personnel in the assembly of components where there is no access to the rear side of the joint. Standard rivets feature a solid shank and hat, capable of being installed into an assembly by having their tail-end passed through a preformed hole prior to being deformed with the use of a tool. This deformity results in a second head being produced at the rear of the assembly, requiring the individual to conduct the deformation from the opposite side of the assembly. With a blind rivet, however, a tool may be used to pull the mandrel against the hat, allowing for pressure and expansion to increase until the rivet is fully installed.
Blind rivets are fairly easy to use, and they leave a strong joint that may be easily inspected whenever necessary. When properly implemented in an assembly, blind or POP rivet fasteners may be used for numerous types of applications. For aircraft in particular, blind rivets serve use in the installation of various non-structural items, commonly relied on for flooring, interiors, and more. They can also be used for numerous other assemblies such as structural beams, trailers, battleships, electronics, and much more.
While a blind rivet may be simple to use and install, there are some considerations that should be made prior to assembly. For one, rivets come in a variety of materials, each of which may benefit a particular assembly in terms of corrosion resistance, strength, and more. Furthermore, the installation materials themselves may vary in hardness, requiring specific rivet hat or grip styles. The length of the rivet will often change the range of grip exhibited by the fastener, grip ranges referring to the range of how thick the material may be for proper installation. The diameter of the rivet is also important to consider, determining whether or not a given piece can fit into the preformed hole of an assembly.
Based on the particular application, installation materials, and the diameter of a given blind rivet, installation only requires a handful of steps. The first is to drill a hole into the material, ensuring that there is sufficient room for the rivet to pass through. Next, the rivet is placed and the rivet installation tool may be situated at the mandrel. Through the activation of the tool, the mandrel can be pulled towards the surface until the rivet is sufficiently installed. Generally, the mandrel will snap off of the rivet a set threshold, leaving a small portion within the hat. If the blind rivet was properly installed, the assembly should be secure and permanent. Otherwise, too big of a rivet may cause an improper seal, while too small of one will lead to loosening or spinning.
While a blind or POP rivet is meant to be a permanent solution to an assembly, There may be instances in which one may wish to remove them. In such cases, a drill bit of similar diameter to the hat may be used to drill through the rivet. The rivet should remain in place, and one should not drill a spinning rivet unless it is secured. Once the rivet is extracted, the same preformed hole may be used for the installation of a new blind rivet.
ASAP Aviation Procurement is a trusted distributor of all kinds of aircraft parts, and we are your sourcing solution for top quality blind and pop rivet fasteners, tooling, flange components, aircraft system components, and so much more. Take the time to explore our various offerings at your leisure, and our team is always readily on standby to assist you through the purchasing process as necessary. Give us a call or email today and experience the ASAP difference.