Industry News

Blind rivet selection guide: open-end, closed-end and structural rivets

2026-09-02

Compiled by JIALI Industrial (164.hk) — a Hong Kong fastener supplier specialising in screws, bolts, nuts and selection know-how.

Blind rivet types and characteristics

Blind rivets allow single-side installation without access to the back of the workpiece, making them ideal for sheet-metal enclosures, ventilation ducts and vehicle body assembly. Open-end rivets (DIN 7337) are the simplest and most cost-effective, suited for general-strength joints. Closed-end rivets seal the mandrel head inside the body, offering better water and dust resistance for sealed applications. Structural rivets (mono-lock, multi-lock) form a larger blind-side bulb after setting, delivering higher tensile and shear strength for demanding joints or soft substrates.

Material pairings and selection tips

Common material combinations include aluminium body/steel mandrel, aluminium body/stainless mandrel, all-stainless and copper body/steel mandrel. Aluminium/steel offers the best value for indoor sheet metal; aluminium/stainless improves corrosion resistance for outdoor or humid environments; all-stainless provides maximum corrosion resistance for coastal and chemical applications. Match the rivet diameter to total grip thickness — typically rivet length = total grip + 1.5 × rivet diameter, with a hole 0.1–0.2 mm larger than the shank.

Installation tips and common problems

Use a matching rivet tool (pneumatic or manual); after setting, the mandrel should break cleanly and the blind side should form a uniform bulb. Common issues include mandrel not breaking (insufficient tool stroke or rivet too long), blind side not bulging (hole too large or grip too thin), and looseness (hole tolerance exceeded or rivet undersized). For volume use, run a trial set and pull-test to GB/T 3098.19 before full production. Need blind rivet selection or samples? Contact JIALI Industrial (164.hk) with your grip thickness and application for fast matching.

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