Press Riveting vs Blind Riveting

Comparison of Core Principles

1. Compression Riveting
Compression riveting is a very traditional and robust fastening method. The process is as follows:

1. The rivet (e.g., a solid rivet) is inserted through pre-drilled holes in the workpieces to be joined.

2. A bucking bar (dolly) is held firmly against the factory head of the rivet on one side.

3. On the opposite side, a compression riveter or punch applies significant radial pressure to the rivet shank. This causes the tail material to plastically deform, forming a mushroom-shaped shop head, thereby clamping the workpieces tightly together.

Characteristics:

• Advantages:

  • High connection strength and reliability: The formed rivet head is solid, offering excellent shear and tensile resistance.

  • Good vibration stability: Less prone to loosening, commonly used in applications承受ing high loads and vibration.

  • Good sealing: The deformed rivet effectively fills the hole, providing a degree of sealing.

• Disadvantages:

  • Requires two-sided operation, which can be inconvenient for large or enclosed structures.

  • Typically involves higher noise and impact.

  • May require higher skill levels from operators.

Application Scenarios:

• Areas demanding extremely high strength, such as aircraft fuselages, bridges, and building steel structures.

• Heavy machinery, railway cars.

• Applications requiring highly reliable permanent connections.

2. Blind Riveting
Blind riveting is an extremely widespread fastening technology in modern manufacturing, centered around the use of pull-mandrel (blind) rivets. The process is as follows:

1. The blind rivet is inserted into the hole in the workpiece(s).

2. The nose of the blind rivet gun grips the protruding mandrel of the rivet.

3. The gun pulls the mandrel backwards, causing the rivet body to expand and deform (bulge), thereby clamping the workpieces together.

4. When the pulling force reaches a set value, the mandrel breaks at a pre-designed break groove, completing the riveting process.

Characteristics:

• Advantages:

  • One-sided operation, extremely convenient, solving the challenge of fastening enclosed structures.

  • Simple and fast operation, high production efficiency, easily automated.

  • Wide applicability, suitable for sheet metal, and joining different materials.

• Disadvantages:

  • Strength is generally lower than comparable sizes of compression rivets: Because the rivet is hollow and contains a broken mandrel inside.

  • The broken mandrel remains inside the rivet, which might be unsuitable for applications with strict weight or internal space requirements.

  • Risk of mandrel fallout (although most designs incorporate features to retain it).

Application Scenarios:

• Electronic product enclosures: e.g., computer cases, electrical control boxes.

• Interior panels and body panels for automobiles and buses.

• Ventilation ducts, color steel sheet buildings.

• Home furniture, shelving, etc.

Summary Comparison Table

How to Choose?

• Choose Compression Riveting when: Connection strength, reliability, and vibration resistance are the primary considerations, and the workpiece structure allows access from both sides. Examples include the aerospace and heavy steel structure sectors.

• Choose Blind Riveting when: Rapid, one-sided operation is needed, and strength requirements are not extremely demanding. Blind riveting is the preferred choice in the vast majority of sheet metal processing, electronics, electrical appliances, light vehicle, and construction industries.

We hope this detailed explanation helps you fully understand the differences between compression riveting and blind riveting.