If you’re looking for a reliable and long-lasting fastening solution, you may want to opt for a mate rivet. They can resist external forces like vibrations, making them a popular choice in aerospace and industrial applications. To learn more about mate rivets and what distinguishes them from other types of rivets, keep reading.
What Are Mate Rivets?
Mate rivets are mechanical fasteners designed to create permanent joints. Like most rivets, they aren’t threaded. As shown in the adjacent photo, mate rivets feature a smooth exterior. Nonetheless, they typically offer stronger joints when compared to traditional threaded fasteners.
Parts of a Mate Rivet
Mate rivets consist of two primary parts: tubular sleeve and rivet body with mandrel. The tubular sleeve is inserted from one side of the assembly, whereas the rivet body is inserted from the other side.
With the two parts properly aligned, you can then use a standard blind rivet tool to set the mate rivet. Setting will expand the rivet inside the tubular sleeve while simultaneously clamping the assembly tightly. The now-set rivet will hold the assembly together.
It’s important to note that mate rivets don’t support blind installations. You can use a blind rivet tool to set them, but you’ll need access to both sides of the fastened assembly to install them.
Benefits of Mate Rivets
Mate rivets offer several benefits, one of which is a larger grip range. Traditional blind rivets often have a limited grip range. For thin materials, this isn’t an issue. But for thicker materials, you may need to use a fastener with a larger grip range, such as a mate rivet. They support materials with large thickness variations.
Mate rivets are highly resistant to vibrations. Whether it’s from a running engine, turbulence, etc., vibrations can cause traditional fasteners to loosen. As these fasteners loosen, the joints with which they are used can become compromised. Mate rivets, though, offer a solution. Their interlocking design resists vibrations to ensure strong, reliable joints.
Another benefit of mate rivets is material preservation. Certain materials can sustain damage when fasteners are driven into them. Plastic, fiberglass and composite materials, for example, are prone to such damage. If you drive a traditional threaded fastener into them, you may crack or otherwise damage them. Mate rivets are less likely to damage these materials because they distribute loads more evenly across the assembly. The load is spread out rather than being isolated to a single point.