How To Determine The Size Of A Rivet?

Selecting the right blind rivet for your application requires knowledge of rivet diameter, gripping range, head style, flange size and corrosion resistance. We've talked about head styles and corrosion resistance, let's take a look at rivet diameter, grip range, and flange size.

Rivet Diameter: Blind rivets are available in diameters from 3/32" to ¼" in 1/32" increments. Diameter selection is based on space, strength and material thickness. The larger the diameter, the higher the shear and tensile strength due to the thickness and material of the rivet body.

Grip Range: The grip range of a rivet is how wide the body of the rivet (the area shown as "B", the body) will expand when placed in the hole and then squeezed. The thickness of the material to be joined must be within the clamping range of the rivet. Grip range increases in 1/16-inch increments. A 1/2" clamping range is typically the maximum length achieved with a standard mandrel.