Blind Rivets & Mushroom Plugs

Blind rivets provide a method for joining two pieces of material when access is available only from one side. They consist of a tubular body and a mandrel; installation pulls the mandrel to deform the body and form a blind-side bulb, creating a clamped joint. Available in a range of materials—such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel and nonmetallic options—blind rivets accommodate different substrate thicknesses and environments. Head styles and grip ranges vary to suit flush or raised-head requirements. Typical installation tools include manual hand riveters and pneumatic or battery-powered units; proper hole size and selecting a rivet with the correct grip range are important for reliable fastening. Mushroom plugs are designed to cover drilled holes and to conceal or protect installed fasteners, providing a rounded finished appearance and a degree of protection against dirt and moisture. Often made of plastic or soft metals, they push into a prepared hole and expand or seat to stay in place. Applications include access panels, sheet metal enclosures, trim work and general-purpose hole covering where a clean appearance and basic protection are desired.