Bulb-Tite Rivet - Aluminium

Bulb-Tite® tri-folding structural rivet with washer for roof anchor points and more. 

More than forty years ago the first Bulb-Tite® was developed for pre-engineered steel buildings. A high performing rivet that differs from other types due to its propeller shape blind–side anchor and washer, combining to provide a large weatherproof blind side bearing area.  

The Bulb-Tite® spreads the clamping force through the anchor blades whilst providing excellent pull through resistance, making them an ideal choice for panel applications like those associated with refrigerated & pantech trucks. This structural rivets is also approved for the installation of roof anchor point, abseiling joints, and ventilation systems that are commonly used in commercial, industrial and government buildings. 

This is an Olympic® Gesipa® rivet that is renowned for its extended material grip range, enabling a single rivet to cover a greater range of material gauges including curved or uneven surfaces. *Special Bulb-tite® installation tool nosepiece required. 

Bulb-Tite Rivets Advantages.

• Ideal for fiberglass, plastics, composites etc.
• Excellent for curved or uneven surfaces 
• Weather, water and vibration resistant joints.
• One rivet size through thick or thin material.
• Propeller shaped blind side footprint.

Bulb-Tite Structural Rivets Applications.

• Refrigerated & Pantech truck fabrication.
• Pre-Engineered fabricated buildings. 
• Facade panel to steel applications.
• Safety anchor points plus so much more. 

Genuine Gesipa®. Rivet Rite @ 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.