Fastener 4 – June 2020

All About Rivets
Q: How do you measure a Blind Rivet?
A: A Blind Rivet is measured by the diameter of the rivet body and the length from the top of the rivet body to the top of the flange.  In a Countersunk Blind Rivet, you would measure from the top of the rivet to the bottom of the flange.  You also can use a Rivet Gage that we provide for free! 

Q: What does the Grip Range mean in a Blind Rivet application?
A: The grip range is the thickness of the material being riveted.

Q:What does the part number mean when ordering a Blind Rivet?
A: There is an industry standard for the sizes of Blind Rivets with a corresponding number.

Example ABS44.  The ABS designates the type of head style and material.  The first letter is the rivet body material (A= Aluminum, S=Steel, F=Stainless).  The second letter is the type of rivet (B=Dome Head, C=Countersunk).  The third letter is the mandrel material (S=Steel).  If you need a Large Flange Blind Rivet, there would be an “L” at the end of the part number (ABS44L).  

The number indicates the size.  The first number is the diameter of the rivet in 32nds of an inch.  The second number refers to the maximum grip length in 16ths of an inch.  A 44 rivet is 4/32” (1/8”) diameter with a max grip of 4/16” (1/4”).  

Q: What are the common head styles of a Blind Rivet?
A: The most common head styles are Dome Head, Countersunk and Large Flange.

Bonus Q: What are the various materials used in Blind Rivets?
A: The most common materials are Aluminum/Aluminum, Aluminum/Steel, Steel/Steel, Stainless Steel/Steel, and Stainless Steel/Stainless Steel.