Most airplanes feature hundreds of thousands of fasteners. In addition to traditional fasteners like bolts, they typically feature blind rivet nuts. Blind rivet nuts are permanent fasteners consisting of a threaded cylindrical shaft. Here are some of the top benefits of blind rivet nuts.
#1) Doesn’t Require Rear Access to Install
Blind rivet nuts are easy to install. Even if you can only access the front of the parts with which you intend to use them, you can still install blind rivet nuts. Like with other blind fasteners, they don’t require rear access to install. All blind fasteners, including blind rivet nuts, only require front access.
#2) Protection From Vibrations
You can rest assured knowing that blind rivet nuts are protected from vibrations. This is one of the reasons why they are used in the construction of airplanes. Airplanes produce vibrations during flight. Temporary fasteners like bolts may become loose when exposed to these vibrations. Blind rivet nuts, however, are protected from vibrations. As permanent fasteners, they will remain in place while subsequently holding the parts with which they are used together.
#3) No Heat
Of course, there are other ways to hold multiple parts together, such as welding or brazing. The problem with these alternative fastening methods is that they require heat. Heat can join multiple parts by fusing them together, but it may come at the cost of structural integrity. When fused together via heat, the parts may become weaker. Blind rivet nuts don’t use heat.
#4) Available in a Variety of Head Styles
Blind rivet nuts are available in a variety of head styles. Some of them have a countersunk head. Countersunk means that the head lies flush with the surface in which it’s installed. Other blind rivet nuts have a protruding head. Rather than lying flat, the head sticks out slightly. If you’re going to use blind rivet nuts, you should choose an appropriate head style for your fastening application.
#5) Strong and Reliable
Blind rivet nuts are both strong and reliable. They are made of metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum alloy. With their metal construction, they can withstand a lot of stress. You can use blind rivet nuts in high-stress fastening applications without fear of them failing. Whether made of stainless steel or aluminum alloy, they offer a strong and reliable alternative to traditional fasteners.
