Bulb-Tite® V's TriFold rivets. Understanding the key rivet differences.  

When do you select a Bulb-Tite® over a Tri-Fold? What's the difference? Does one rivet type have an advantage over the other? These are some of the questions customers ask when seeking to understand the differences between Tri-Fold rivet and  Bulb-Tite® Rivet. There are numerous rivet types on the market and selecting the right rivet can be a little complicated. In this blog we will investigate two of the most specialised rivet types on the market and look into the pros and cons of the Tri-Folding rivet & the Gesipa® Bulb-Tite® rivet. 

These rivets are great for joining numerous lightweight material including  plastics, fibreglass, composites, thin sheet metals and more. Both these rivets pull-up to form a blindside tri-star shape propeller anchor. The Gesipa® Bulb-Tite® rivet is a structural rivet that suits LOAD bearing applications involving lightweight material, whilst the Tri-fold rivet is a standard rivet that is suitable for NON-LOAD applications involving lightweight material.    

These rivets suit lightweight material because they work differently to other rivet types as the clamping force is spread through the three anchor blades rather than concentrated in one spot. The propeller shape anchor provides excellent pull through resistance that you will not find with other typical rivets. Many people refer to these type of rivets as load spreading rivets or exploding rivets and are the go-to rivet for lightweight applications. 

Some of the key benefits associated with rivets include:

• Blind side assembly means quick installations, as access to the rear is not required.
• Highly resilient, forming a mechanically activated permanent joining solution.
• Easy to use air, cordless, & manual rivet tools that require minimal know-how.

What is a Tri-Fold rivet?

This rivet is an all-aluminium slotted body standard rivet which makes it suitable for lightweight applications, it forms a propeller shape anchor on the blind side of the material without damaging it. Tri-Fold rivets are also known as Bulbex®, Tri-Folding, and Bulb-Lite® rivets.   

What is a Bulb-Tite® rivet?

Bulb-Tite® is also an all-aluminium slotted body rivet that creates a propeller shape blind-side anchor. Gesipa® Bulb-Tite® is classed as a structural rivet with the advantage of a washer under the setting head that combines with the anchor to provide a waterproof resistant joint. A structural rivet means this will have better shear and tensile installation values compared to a Tri-Fold. These rivets are also known as Huck-Tites, Tri-Bulb, or Klamp-Tite® and are suitable for motor body fabrication when the application involves composite materials like those associated with refrigerated or pantech trucks. 

Bulb-Tite® rivets five main benefits.

Gesipa® Bulb-Tite® rivets have numerous benefits over the standard Tri Fold rivet inclding;   

• Structural rivets; BulbTite® is a structural rivet with higher shear and tensile installation values compared to Tri-Fold rivet. This makes them better suited in load-bearing situations when fastening plastics, fibreglass, thin steel sheets & other composite materials.
• Safety Roof Points; Bulb-Tite® rivet with the product codes - RV660-9-06W or RV660-9-10W are the go-to structural rivet with installers of roof anchor points, including the fall arrest systems + the rope access systems.  
• Weather & vibration resistance: Bulb-Tites® are virtually a waterproof rivet as they come with an EPDM washer under the head. This provides an excellent weather tight seal that is more resistant to vibration compared to a Tri-Fold rivet. 
• Hard-To-Fasten Applications; Bulb-tite® rivets work well in materials where other fasteners fail. The folded legs individually conform to curved surfaces enabling fastening onto pipes, corrugations and other challenging shaped applications. 
• Multi-Grip Range Capacity; Bulb-tite rivets can handle a wider variation in material thickness. This means fewer different rivet sizes may be required, resulting in reduced inventory requirements, simplified fastener selection and less likely operator error.

DIBt European Technical Assessment for Bulb-Tite® Structural Rivets

Selected Gesipa® Bulb-Tite® structural rivets are covered by European Technical Assessment ETA-13/0255, issued by the Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik (DIBt), the German Institute for Building Technology.

This independent technical assessment documents the performance of specified Bulb-Tite® rivets used in load-bearing metal sheet and plate connections. It includes assessed tensile and shear resistance, pull-through and pull-out performance, along with material and installation requirements.

For builders, engineers and installers, the DIBt assessment provides valuable technical data when specifying structural rivets for applications such as roofing, façade cladding and lightweight metal construction.

The assessment covers specific Bulb-Tite® rivet variants and installation conditions, rather than every rivet in the product range. Applications involving roof safety anchor points must also comply with the relevant anchor system approvals and engineering requirements.

View the official DIBt European Technical Assessment ETA-13/0255 (PDF)

How to identify a Gesipa® Bulb-Tite® rivet?

Bulb-Tite® rivet V’s Tri-Fold rivet frequently asked questions. 

What is a roof anchor point? 

A roof anchor point is an assembled device that is installed on the roofs of buildings for contractors to attach harnesses, ropes and other equipment to prevent a fall mishap. A correctly installed safety point aims to provide protection from falling. 

How do I install a Bulb-Tite® rivet correctly?

Installing a Gesipa® Bulb-Tite® rivet is simple with a little practice, pre drilling of holes is required. Load rivet’s pin tail section into rivet gun. Insert rivets body into hole and activate gun. Upon activation the head of the rivet is pushed against the outer surface of the tool, whilst the tool pulls up the central pin. As a result, the bottom portion or blindside of the rivet rivet body folds into three separate legs forming a large blind-side head. This creates a large bearing head that evenly distributes the high clamp force in soft, thin or brittle materials while providing high pull through resistance. Resulting in a larger surface in which the two materials are effectively fastened together.

When placing the Bulb-Tite® you will need to provide sufficient blindside space for the body's anchor blades to stretch out correctly, otherwise the rivet will not install. See below for the recommended Bulb-Tite® installation process.

Pre-drilling correct diameter hole.

Ensure the correct nose tip and or jaws.

Blind side Tri-Star anchor.

Bulb-Tite® Installation Process.

• Rivet body is inserted into the pre-drilled hole.
• Setting tool pulls the pin and pin head into the rivet body.
• Blind side anchor is formed and when breaking force is reached pin breaks at break notch.
• Blind rivet is set and clamps parts together. How easy is that!

The diagram below shows correct & incorrect Bulb-tite placement. Its important to have sufficient blind side space for the slotted body rivet to fold and bend in the propeller shape anchor blades.

How do Bulb-Tite® rivets work?

Bulb Tite structural rivets work a little differently to standard rivet, as there is an internal mechanism that locks a portion of the pin (mandrel) inside the rivet's body. This creates an additional layer of material that assists in increasing the rivets strength, whilst interlocking with the material and creating their inner strength. When installing a Bulb tite the slotted body folds and splits into a propeller shape blind–side anchor. The diagram below provides a four step overview of the process.

Which is the best rivet gun?

Selecting the correct rivet gun depends on several factors that relate to your specific requirements, rivet gun section is covered in the blog; Ultimate Guide to Rivet Guns.

How do I remove a Bulb-Tite® rivet?

Bulb-Tite® rivet removal is straight forward with the right tools. This requires the destruction of the rivet, and the best method is to drill it. You will need, a drill, drill bit, long nose pliers, & safety accessories such as glasses and gloves.

Steps: Use your safety glass & gloves before starting the drilling process. Place the drill bit against the rivets’ center pin and drill through the body at a low but steady speed. Once drilling is completed, pull the rivet off with your long nose pliers. How easy was that!  

Can you assist me with Bulb-Tite® & Tri-Folding rivet selection?

Sure we can assist with rivet selection and so much more. We are a leading rivet supplier with a comprehensive range of general standard rivets plus industrial strength structural rivets including the sale, service and hire of rivet guns. You can reach us by either telephoning 02 9755 3747 or via the contact us page.  

Do you deliver Bulb-Tite® & Tri-Folding rivets throughout Australia?

Sure, we deliver Australia wide through our network of courier companies. In Sydney we offer same day delivery if you order before 10.00am or the next day. Deliveries to regional New South Wales or major Australian cities such as Melbourne, Brisbane including regional South Eastern Australia are either next day delivery or a 2 days turnaround.

Bulb-Tite® rivet vs. Tri Fold rivet summary.

At the wrap of this blog, it's clear that Bulb-Tite® rivets offer superior fastening capabilities compared to Tri-Fold rivets. Bulb-Tite® rivets are a strong & highly flexible option due to their superior strength and their extended material grip range. Seeking assistance to select the correct rivet type? Please don’t hesitate to contact us or call 02 9755 3747.

Aerobolt® is the leading award-winning wholesaler of  standard rivets , structural  rivets, Huck® bolts, nutserts, rivnuts, adhesives & power tools, like nutsert tools and rivet guns including some popular cordless options.

Proudly, we are Australia's leading Huck® Distributor of genuine Huck® bolts and structural rivets plus the sale, service and hire of Huck® guns and hydraulic power rigs. 

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