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SPRING 2021

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Distributor's Link Magazine Spring 2021 / Vol 44 No 2

120 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S

120 THE DISTRIBUTOR’S LINK ANTHONY Di MAIO BLIND RIVETS ARE “UNIVERSAL” FASTENERS from page 44 [Q] Where Did Blind Rivets Originate? [A] Certainly, there is a variation when you analyze company-by-company development. Europe, however, was first in lighter-weight fabrication. But, there is no question that refinement in product design and improvement of the manufacturing process have come from the US over the years. In the 1930s the aircraft industry changed from wood and fabric design to metal design and construction, which created new fastening requirements-in that access from both sides of a required fastening joint was not always feasible. The first practical application in the US was In 1930 when blind rivets were used in the production of aircraft. It’s true also that development of new high strength material and material combinations for blind rivets came the US, despite the fact blind rivets are so common in Europe. [Q] Where Are The Primary Applications For Blind Rivets? [A] Primary applications are found in the general category of transportation, aircraft, installing nut plates and gang channels, automotive, identification plates, and truck/trailer attaching metal skin to frame. There are many blind rivet applications appliances, electronics and light assembly businesses. Here, a significant benefit of blind rivets is their resistance to vibration and tampering. A blind rivet is not affected by vibration and will not become loose because of vibration. Threaded fasteners are subject to vibration and can become loose, that is why chemicals are applied the threaded fasteners before installation, to lock the threaded and prevent the loosing by vibration. Actually, a potential blind rivet application exist wherever two or more components are to be joined and in all kinds of materials, aluminum, steel, canvas to wood—it’s unlimited. Aircraft is a major market for blind rivets in the US. Of necessity, these blind rivets are more sophisticated, have higher strength levels, resistance to corrosion, fatigue etc. Other large users include the farm implement, earth moving equipment, hardware, mining, petrochemical and electric utility industries. [Q] Do Blind Rivets Compete With Other Fastening Systems Such As Welding or Adhesives etc? [A] In one word ”yes.” In many instances blind riveting is used in lieu of the aforementioned, or in conjunction with. For example: tacking with blind rivets prior to welding or to hold material together mechanically during the curing process of adhesives. We mentioned the engineering advantages of blind rivets in the marketplace. But, one difficulty has been in convincing purchasing and technical people that the only true measure of economic effectiveness of any fastening method is it’s “installed cost.” “Installed cost” is now more widely used as a key factor in fastener selection. From a technical standpoint, blind rivets offer many advantages over threaded fasteners. Blind rivet cannot be over torqued or under torqued when set in an application. A threaded fasteners cab be over torqued and under torqued that damage the application. [Q] From What Materials Are Blind Rivets Made? Can You Get The Tensile And Shear Strength Needed For Tough Applications? [A] Any material that can be cold formed is eligible. Some blind rivets have material of one designation for the body and another for the mandrel. Many combinations are possible and often chosen to enhance upsetting capabilities. Virtually and metallic material that lends itself to fastener production can be used. There is versatility in being able to coordinate appropriate metals to match customer requirements for strength, corrosion, softness of the set etc. n riveting brittle materials, for example, a high tensile mandrel would be destructive. So, we tailor the fastener to meet the users specific needs. ANTHONY Di MAIO

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