About the Pop Riveting Process

A manual rivet puller works with the squeeze of a handle.

Rivets commonly fasten metals together in various applications. Solid rivets require access to the front and back sides of whatever materials are being joined together, but pop rivets, or blind rivets can be installed when there is no access to the rear of the material.

Description

A solid stem sits in each blind rivet's hollow body. A special tool pulls the stem up though the rivet body, expanding the rivet body and tail end of the rivet to secure the riveted materials in place.

Procedure

The pop rivet is set into a hole in the materials to be fastened. A special rivet tool pulls the stem through the rivet toward the head. The stem automatically breaks off flush with the rivet head.

Benefits

Pop rivets only require one worker to install and can be used in locations where access to the rear of the rivet is limited or there is no access at all.

References

• Machine Design: Straight Facts on Blind Rivets