Blind rivets are used to securely bond metals and plastics when the back of the object is inaccessible. They consist of a tubular body with a mandrel, and are available in various materials. Blind setting is done by inserting the rivet shaft into a drilled hole and using a riveter to drive the mandrel into the rivet. The blind end pops off, leaving the chuck head in place to secure the objects together.
In construction, aircraft, and many other industrial applications, various metals and plastics often need to be securely bonded to each other. To do this, workers often use rivets or fixed mechanical fasteners. When the back of the object is inaccessible to the operator, pop rivets can be used, which can only be installed from one side of the object.
A blind rivet consists of a tubular stainless steel body with a mandrel, or retaining piece, through its center. The mandrel holds the rivet in place while the worker uses a rivet gun to pull the body, allowing the remaining piece to break away. This leaves the chuck head in place, securing the two objects to be joined.
Workers often look for blind rivets of the more vibration resistant variety. Many are available with water resistant seals, which once installed will prevent leaks inside the item. Rivets are also available in soft aluminum alloy, copper, stainless steel clad aluminum, and Monel, a nickel alloy.
Often, when building an object out of metal, a worker doesn’t have access to the back of the object. It can be hidden by other mechanical parts, or even simply out of reach of the operator. Blind rivets, which have multiple pieces, are optimal in these cases and can be installed from any angle or position.
Pop rivets can be used for a variety of applications. In particular, they have been integral to creating the leading edges of aircraft wings, as well as other aircraft spaces where worker access is restricted, such as trailing edges. To make the riveting process more ergonomic for the operator, as well as cheaper overall, blind rivets are now also being used for many more functions.
When a worker sets a rivet from the front only, this is called blind setting. To engage in blind setting, he will first insert the rivet shaft into a previously drilled hole between two parts of the object that are to be secured to each other. A blind rivet tool, such as a riveter, will then be used to drive the mandrel into the rivet.
After the body of the rivet has countersunk against the inaccessible side, the “blind end” will pop off. The chuck head will stay where the objects are connected, securing the two parts together. The long stem, or body, of the mandrel is ejected in the process, falling to the ground or into a waste bin.
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