Bulb-Tite Rivet - Aluminium

A Tri-Folding, Weather-Resistant Structural Rivet with Sealing Washer for Roof Anchor Points and More.

Originally developed over 50 years ago for pre-engineered steel buildings, the Bulb-Tite® structural rivet features a unique propeller-shaped blind-side anchor and sealing washer. Its innovative tri-folding design creates a large blind-side bearing area, distributing clamping force evenly to provide excellent pull-through resistance and a secure, weather-resistant joint.

During installation, the Bulb-Tite® forms three anchor blades that spread the clamping force across a wider surface area, making it ideal for joining thin, lightweight or flexible materials. It's a versatile fastening solution for refrigerated and pantech truck fabrication, façade cladding, roofing and ventilation systems. Bulb-Tite® rivets are also used in approved roof safety anchor systems, subject to the specific system's engineering and installation requirements.

Manufactured by Gesipa®, Bulb-Tite® rivets are renowned for their extended material grip range, allowing a single rivet size to accommodate varying material thicknesses. Their adaptable blind-side anchor design also provides reliable fastening on flat, curved or uneven surfaces.

Please note: A specialised Bulb-Tite® installation tool or compatible rivet gun with the correct nosepiece is required.

Bulb-Tite® Structural Rivet Advantages

• Wide grip range: Accommodates a variety of material thicknesses, reducing the need for multiple rivet sizes.
• Excellent pull-through resistance: The tri-folding blind-side anchor distributes clamping force over a large surface area.
• Weather-resistant sealing: A neoprene sealing washer helps prevent water ingress.
• Vibration resistance: Provides a secure fastening solution for applications exposed to movement and vibration.
• Versatile installation: Suitable for flat, curved and uneven surfaces.
• Ideal for lightweight materials: Suitable for joining thin sheet metal, fibreglass, plastics and composite panels.

Bulb-Tite® Structural Rivet Applications

• Roof safety anchor point systems (where specified and approved)
• Refrigerated and pantech truck fabrication
• Pre-engineered steel buildings
• Façade panels and cladding installations
• Trapezoidal sheet metal roofing
• Commercial and industrial ventilation systems
• Lightweight panel and composite fabrication
• General sheet metal and structural fastening

Genuine Gesipa® Rivets at Aerobolt®

Bulb-Tite® Rivet. The High Strength Aluminium Rivet. 

A high performing Gesipa® self plugging rivet that differs from other types due to its propeller shape blind–side anchor and washer combo, providing a weatherproof joint with a large blind side bearing area for lightweight applications. 

The Bulb-Tite® rivet spreads the clamping force through the anchor blades whilst providing excellent pull through resistance, making them an ideal choice for the fabrication of pantech & refrigerated trucks. This rivet is renowned for it's extended material grip range, enabling a single rivet to cover a greater range of gauges including curved or uneven surfaces.

Lab Know-How. How to Install a Bulb-Tite Rivet. 

Bulb-Tite® rivets work in a similar way to structural rivets, but they have a unique design that allows it to provide a secure and reliable fastening solution. Here's how they generally work:

1. Preparation: To install a Bulb-Tite rivet, you'll need a rivet gun or a rivet tool. The rivet consists of a cylindrical body (the shank) with a mandrel (a thin rod) passing through its center.

2. Insertion: The rivet is inserted into a pre-drilled hole in the materials to be joined. The rivet's shank should be long enough to pass through both materials and leave a small amount of extra length on the opposite side.

3. Pulling the Mandrel: With the rivet in place, the rivet gun is used to pull the mandrel through the center of the shank. As the mandrel is pulled, it deforms the unexpanded end of the shank, creating a "bulb" on the blind side of the materials.

4. Expansion and Locking: The bulb created by the mandrel's deformation expands against the backside of the materials. This expansion creates a secure grip and holds the materials together firmly. The mandrel eventually snaps off once the required pressure is achieved, leaving the installed rivet in place.

5. Finishing: The excess mandrel is discarded, and the installation is complete.

Bulb-Tite rivets are often used in applications where a high-strength, vibration-resistant, and watertight joint is required. They are commonly used in the automotive industry, construction, safety anchor points, HVAC systems, and more.