Do Pop Rivets Leak? - The Comprehensive Guide
Rivmate Fastener
Top Rivet and Rivet Nut Manufacturer in China
Table of Contents
In many industrial and structural assembly fields, blind rivets are widely used in outdoor equipment, sheet metal shells, marine structures, electrical enclosures, HVAC systems, and other types of working conditions due to their ease of operation, reliable connections, and suitability for single-sided installation. However, with the diversification of application environments, especially in scenarios involving high sealing requirements such as waterproofing, dustproofing and corrosion protection. Many engineers, assembly technicians and maintenance personnel ask the key question, “Do Pop Rivets Leak?”
This question seems simple, but actually involves structural design, material compatibility, rivet type, installation process, tolerance control and other professional dimensions. Many connection structures in the actual operation of water seepage, condensation or even corrosion phenomenon, the root cause is often related to the rivets sealing ability is insufficient.
Table of Contents
Pop rivet structure and sealing principle
Blind rivets are blind riveted joints consisting of two parts: the rivet body and the rivet mandrel. during installation, the rivet body is inserted into a pre-drilled hole, and the rivet mandrel is pulled by the rivet gun, which causes the tail to plastically deform and compresses the connected sheet material. Once the tension reaches a certain threshold, the rivet mandrel breaks at the pre-determined position, remaining inside the rivet or falling off, thus completing the one-time connection.
Blind Rivets Sealing Principle
Structurally, standard open end blind rivets are not naturally waterproof. There are several main potential leakage paths:
- The rivet mandrel channel runs through the entire rivet body: an open aperture is formed at the break after installation, and even if part of the rivet mandrel remains in the rivet, it does not completely seal the channel, and liquids or moisture can penetrate through it.
- Tiny gap between the plate and the rivet: no matter how accurate the machining is, it is difficult to achieve 100% tight contact between the hole wall and the rivet body.
- Material springback due to metal deformation in the expansion zone: The expansion and deformation of the rivet body tail during the riveting process can lead to a certain amount of material springback and the formation of micro-seam structures. This is more obvious in multi-layer material connection.
- Thermal expansion and contraction and air pressure difference: environmental changes (such as high temperature → cooling) will lead to material contraction, triggering the original compression area to produce stress release, thus triggering leakage.
Therefore, unless a special structural design or additional sealing material processing, the standard pop rivet is not equivalent to waterproof rivet, which is why in the project with a clear sealing requirements, can not simply use conventional rivets, but must choose to have a closed structure or sealing gasket rivet type. At the same time, the sealing performance of the rivet not only depends on the rivet itself, but also need to take into account the quality of hole processing, installation process and material matching and other aspects.
What types of pop rivet are leak-proof?
Structural features: the bottom of the cap body of the rivet is completely closed design. Even after the rivet mandrel breaks, the interior will not form a through hole, effectively preventing water, gas, oil penetration through the rivet center shaft. Most closed type rivets also have high shear and tensile strength.
Application Scenarios:
- Electronic housings, watertight housings, hydraulic equipment
- Outdoor lighting, meter boxes, control cabinets
- Any sheet metal structure that is sensitive to liquid or moisture penetration.
2. Sealed Blind Rivet with EPDM/NBR Washer
Structural features: In the ordinary blind rivet cap to add a ring of high elasticity waterproof washer (common materials for EPDM, nitrile rubber, etc.). In the riveting process, the washer will be pressed on the joint surface, sealing the hole, effectively preventing liquid penetration through the hole wall gap.
Application Scenario:
- Air conditioner shells, refrigerator panels, outdoor hoods
- Rain gutters, aluminum composite panel curtain walls, traffic signs
- Structural components requiring primary sealing in low and medium pressure environments
Structural Features: Combines a structural rivet with a sealing feature. Typically with a high tensile strength design (for high load connections), with a locking core mechanism and metal/glue encapsulation components to keep the entire rivet system highly dense and closed after the completion of the core break.
Application Scenario:
- Heavy-duty equipment, watertight pressure chambers, truck compartment floors
- Bridge components, ship structure, wind turbine nacelle outer cover
- Composite joints that require high strength + corrosion resistance + sealing performance
How to Make Pop Rivets Leak?
Most standard Open End Blind Rivets are not naturally waterproof. They have a through core and a clear gap in the hole wall, which makes them susceptible to leakage under prolonged water pressure or moisture. Therefore, if the connection structure involves watertightness, safety sealing or environmental protection needs, it is necessary to use a special type of rivet with sealing design.
Common types of rivets with leak-proof capability include: closed end blind rivets, rivets with gaskets, and structurally sealed rivets. Combined with proper hole control and installation techniques, these rivets can achieve IP65 and even IP68 ratings for a wide range of industrial and outdoor applications.
Rivet Waterproof Performance Comparison Table
| Rivet Type | Leak-Proof Rating | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Open-End Blind Rivet | ✘ No | Basic sheet metal, no waterproofing |
| Closed-End Blind Rivet | ✓ Partial (IP65) | Control boxes, HVAC ducts, LED housing |
| Sealed Rivet with Washer | ✓ Good Surface Seal | Outdoor enclosures, appliance panels |
| Structural Sealed Rivet | ✓✓ Full Seal (IP67/IP68) | Vehicle frames, marine, heavy equipment |
How to choose a riveted joint that is not susceptible to water penetration?
Choosing the right type of rivet is only the first step when designing or repairing a structure that needs to be watertight, dusttight or corrosion resistant. The real realization of watertight riveted joints must also be combined with the actual use of the scene and the correct installation standards. The following are representative of the use of engineering practice and the corresponding practical suggestions:
1. Define the environment of use: outdoor exposure ≠ humid intervals ≠ waterlogged confinement.
Different environments have different definitions of “waterproof”. For example, an outdoor communication box only needs to withstand rain, so rubber gasket type rivets can be used. For an air conditioning enclosure that needs to prevent condensation from flowing back in, it is recommended to use closed type rivets. If it involves a long time underwater use (such as the hull of the ship, diving equipment), it must be used structural sealing type rivets + panel sealant composite program, and IP rating test.
2. Hole size control is key: interference fit is better than loose fit
The sealing ability of blind rivets is highly dependent on the tolerance of the hole diameter. Recommended hole diameter should be slightly larger than the diameter of the rod 0.1-0.2 mm, to ensure that the deformation section fully affixed to the wall of the hole, to avoid the emergence of gaps. If the hole is too large, the deformation is not uniform, will lead to cap sealing failure, the gasket can not be fully compressed, thus forming a water seepage path.
Rivet hole diameter standard can refer to “ Metric Blind Pop Rivet Hole Size Chart ”.
3. When selecting gasket type rivets, check the gasket material and compression status.
It is recommended to use EPDM or Nitrile Rubber (NBR) for the gasket, taking into account the weather resistance and resilience. When installing, use a rivet gun with clamping torque control or a tension feedback tool to ensure even pressure on the gasket. If a pneumatic rivet gun is used and no limit is set, it is easy to press through the gasket due to excessive core pulling, resulting in seal failure.
4. Recommended auxiliary sealant for composite structures
For multi-layer metal, metal + plastic, coated sheet and other joint structures, even if closed type rivets are used, a ring of sealant (e.g. butyl, silicone) should be applied around the rivet holes before installation. This can enhance the watertightness of the interface, to avoid the risk of long-term leakage due to the rebound of the material, the warping of the inter-layer plate.
5. Establishment of installation process standardization
It is recommended that companies implement the following SOP process for products with waterproofing requirements:
- Rivet type and hole size preset table.
- Rivet position inspection + photo archive before sealing.
- Regular use of water spray test, air tightness test or salt spray test to verify the sealing performance.
- Set up installation feedback record mechanism (rivet gun feedback tension, broken core monitoring).
Choosing a waterproof pop rivet is just the foundation; ensuring the accuracy of the hole diameter, using the right gasket and sealant, and standardizing the installation process are the guarantees for building a truly watertight structure. For enterprises, this is not only about product performance, but also directly affects customer trust and later maintenance costs.
Common Causes of Pop Rivets Leak Failures and How to Fix Them
Pop rivets The common cause of leak failure usually stems from improper selection of rivet type, uncontrolled installation process or material matching errors. For example, the use of open-end rivets used in outdoor environments without waterproofing gaskets; or hole diameter is too large, resulting in inadequate deformation of the cap, the formation of water seepage channels; is also common due to the installation of too much tension crushing the gasket, or multi-storey structure without sealant resulting in inter-layer leakage.
For the structure of the leakage has occurred, such as water seepage is not serious, you can use the structure of the waterproof glue (such as butyl rubber, polyurethane sealant) secondary sealing. If rivet failure is serious, the old rivets should be removed and the apertures enlarged to reinstall closed or gasket type rivets. For continuous failure problems, it is necessary to trace back the process design, from the aperture tolerance, material selection, tool setting and other systematic optimization, in order to establish a stable waterproof connection system.
Are All Rivets Waterproof?
Of course not. Not all rivets are waterproof. The waterproofness of a rivet depends on a number of factors, including the type of rivet, the material being joined, and the specific application scenario.
Certain special types of rivets, such as closed rivets and waterproof bulb tite rivets. These rivets have special special construction or additional features that provide enhanced water resistance.
If you want to learn more about are rivets waterproof, please read the guide “are rivets waterproof“.
Conclusion
Pop rivets are not a naturally sealed connection. Their watertightness depends on a synergy of factors such as rivet structure design, installation process control and material suitability. Therefore, in projects involving watertight, airtight or corrosion-resistant requirements, it is not enough to choose the right rivets, but also need to establish standardized structural design specifications and assembly processes.
From the design point of view, it is recommended that engineers in the early stages of the product clear waterproof grade requirements (such as IP65/67). And prioritize the use of special rivets with closed structure or supporting gaskets, along with the appropriate aperture tolerance, plate layout and sealing auxiliary materials, and develop a clear construction process standards. Only by incorporating sealing into the systematic design and process control can we achieve a stable, leak-free riveted joint structure in the long term.
As a leadning pop rivet manufacturer in china, Rivmate can provide a professional customized solution based on your project requirements. The perfect solution to your “do pop rivets leak” concerns. Contact us to get the riveting solutions.
