Choosing the right stainless steel rivet is more important than many buyers realise. Blind rivets — also called pop rivets — are one of the fastest ways to join thin sheets, tubes and profiles from a single accessible side, but selecting the wrong type, material or grip range can leave you with loose joints, corrosion or rivets that pull through on installation.
This guide explains the main types of stainless steel blind rivets, their head styles, grip ranges and materials (A2 / A4), and lists the specifications to include on your RFQ so you get the correct rivet for the job.
What is a blind rivet?
A blind rivet is a one-sided fastener consisting of a hollow rivet body and a mandrel. A special rivet gun pulls the mandrel, which expands the body against the back of the joint and then snaps at a pre-set break point. The result is a permanent, flush joint that can be installed from only one side — ideal for enclosed sections, box sections, tanks and hollow profiles where the back side is inaccessible.
Stainless steel rivet types buyers need to know
Open-end (open-type) blind rivets
The most common and economical type. The body is hollow, and after installation the mandrel breaks off leaving an open hole through the rivet. Open-end rivets are suitable for general sheet-metal, ducting, cladding and enclosure applications. They are not recommended where a watertight or airtight seal is required.
- Best for: general assembly, HVAC, furniture, automotive trim
- Sealing: not sealed
- Relative cost: lowest
Closed-end (sealed) blind rivets
Closed-end rivets have a sealed mandrel and a closed base, creating a watertight and airtight joint after installation. They are used in tanks, marine applications, outdoor enclosures and anywhere moisture or fluids must not pass through the joint. The mandrel is typically mechanically locked (spinning-stop mandrel) to prevent push-out under vibration.
- Best for: marine, tanks, outdoor signage, waterproof enclosures
- Sealing: sealed against water and air
- Relative cost: higher than open-end
Multi-grip (wide-grip) blind rivets
Multi-grip rivets cover a wider grip range than standard rivets, reducing the number of SKUs a buyer needs to stock. They are useful when joint thickness varies on a project or when exact sheet thickness is unknown. The body has a wider, structured grip zone that expands uniformly across the full range.
- Best for: mixed-thickness assemblies, maintenance stock, OEM production lines
- Sealing: open or sealed versions available
- Relative cost: mid-range
Structural (lockbolt) blind rivets
Structural rivets use a locked mandrel that mechanically locks into the body, offering much higher shear and tensile strength than standard pop rivets. They are used in heavy-duty applications such as truck bodies, rail, construction equipment and structural steel where vibration resistance is critical.
Head styles: dome head vs countersunk
Dome (protruding) head is the default choice. It provides the largest bearing surface and is the easiest to install. Use it whenever the appearance of the back side is not a concern.
Countersunk (flush) head sits flush with the surface after installation. It requires a pre-drilled countersunk hole and is used on visible surfaces where a smooth finish is required — for example, architectural panels, elevator interiors and consumer appliances.
Materials: A2 (304) vs A4 (316)
Stainless steel rivets are typically supplied in two grades:
- A2 (304 stainless): general-purpose, good corrosion resistance in atmospheric, freshwater and indoor environments. Suitable for most architectural and food-industry applications.
- A4 (316 stainless): contains molybdenum for superior pitting and crevice corrosion resistance. Specify A4 for marine, coastal, chemical, swimming-pool and wastewater applications.
Note: the rivet body and mandrel should be the same grade. A 304 body with a 316 mandrel (or vice versa) can cause galvanic corrosion and should be avoided in corrosive environments.
Common diameters and grip ranges
Stainless steel blind rivets are standardised across the following nominal diameters:
- 3.2 mm (1/8 inch)
- 4.0 mm (5/32 inch)
- 4.8 mm (3/16 inch)
- 6.4 mm (1/4 inch)
Each diameter covers a specific grip range (total thickness of the materials being joined). The correct drill size is matched to the rivet diameter — typically 0.1–0.2 mm larger than the nominal rivet body diameter. Always confirm the grip range on the manufacturer’s datasheet before ordering.
RFQ checklist for stainless steel rivets
When you send an RFQ, include the following to get an accurate quote and avoid rework:
- Rivet type: open-end, closed-end, multi-grip or structural
- Material grade: A2 (304) or A4 (316)
- Diameter: 3.2 / 4.0 / 4.8 / 6.4 mm
- Grip range (mm or inch) and resulting rivet length
- Head style: dome head or countersunk head (angle, usually 90°)
- Quantity (pieces)
- Required certification: EN 10204 3.1 material test report if needed
- Application environment: indoor, outdoor, marine, chemical
Common purchasing mistakes to avoid
- Ordering by length only: rivet length must match the grip range of the specific type — a “12 mm” open-end rivet and a “12 mm” closed-end rivet cover different joint thicknesses.
- Using open-end rivets outdoors: water enters the open mandrel hole and can cause internal corrosion. Use closed-end sealed rivets.
- Mixing body and mandrel grades: always specify matching A2/A4 for both body and mandrel.
- Ignoring certification: for structural, marine or food-contact work, require a material test report (EN 10204 3.1).
Contact SOROYA for stainless steel rivets
SOROYA supplies stainless steel blind rivets in A2 (304) and A4 (316), including open-end, closed-end and multi-grip types, in standard diameters from 3.2 mm to 6.4 mm. Send us your rivet drawing or specification sheet for a quick quotation.
SOROYA PTE. LTD.
Email: nancy@soroya.com.sg
WhatsApp: +65 8058 3416
