There is no single best stainless-steel blind rivet for every job. Choose one that matches the measured thickness of the materials being joined, the specified hole diameter, head style, load requirements and environment. Check the exact alloy for both the rivet body and mandrel: “18-8,” “304” and “A2” are not automatically interchangeable labels.
How to choose a stainless-steel blind rivet
Compare candidate rivets against the joint and installation requirements—not just the product name or length.
- Material: Confirm the precise material specification for both the body and mandrel.
- Diameter and hole: Match the rivet diameter and required drilled-hole diameter to the joint design.
- Grip range: Measure the full thickness of the joined stack, including coatings, gaps and interlayers, and make sure it falls within the rivet’s stated range.
- Head style: Select a head that suits the bearing surface and finish requirements; countersunk heads require matching countersink geometry.
- Performance data: Treat strength figures as specifications for that product, not as a guarantee of assembled-joint capacity.
- Installation: Check that the setting tool and nosepiece are compatible with the rivet diameter and tool family.
What does 18-8 mean on a rivet?
“18-8” is a commercial description, not enough by itself to identify the exact alloy in a particular rivet. EJOT distinguishes A2 material 1.4301, designated X5CrNi 18-8, from A2 material 1.4567, designated X3CrNiCu 18-9-4. GESIPA identifies the cited rivet bodies as A2, material number 1.4567, and specifies A2 mandrels. For those examples, the precise description is A2 stainless steel, material 1.4567—not an exact 1.4301 / 18-8 match. See EJOT’s material designations and the GESIPA standard blind-rivet specification.
If a project requires a particular grade, verify the material number on the manufacturer’s data sheet or certificate for both body and mandrel. Do not infer an exact alloy from “18-8” or “A2” alone.
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What size stainless blind rivet do you need?
Start with the complete material stack and its measured thickness. Then choose a rivet whose manufacturer-stated grip range includes that measurement, and whose diameter and hole requirement match the joint design. Rivet length alone does not establish whether the rivet will fit.
Measure the grip range
GESIPA defines grip range as the total material thickness a blind rivet can securely join. Include coatings and any gaps or interlayers in the measurement. If the stack exceeds the rivet’s permitted range, the mandrel may break before the closing head forms. If the stack is too thin, the closing head may not form correctly and the joint can remain loose. GESIPA’s grip-range guidance, published June 5, 2026, explains the sizing principle.
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In GESIPA’s explanatory example, “3.2 × 10 / 0.5–3.0” means a 3.2 mm body diameter, 10 mm body length and 0.5–3.0 mm grip range. That example does not establish the grip range of every 3.2 × 10 mm rivet; consult the specification for the exact product.
Match the hole to the product specification
Do not assume the hole is exactly the rivet’s nominal body diameter. For example, GESIPA specifies a 3.3 mm hole for its 3.2 mm standard A2 dome-head rivet. Its 4.8 mm countersunk example calls for a 4.9 mm hole, while the 6.4 mm G-Bulb example specifies a 6.7–6.9 mm hole. Follow the specific manufacturer dimensions and the joint drawing.
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Manufacturer product examples compared
These examples show how specifications differ; they are not tested recommendations for a particular assembly. Strength values below are manufacturer-stated product data, not guaranteed capacities for an unspecified joint.
| Example | Material and geometry | Manufacturer-stated strength | Selection note |
|---|---|---|---|
| GESIPA standard A2 dome-head, 3.2 × 10 mm, article 1433625 | Body and mandrel: A2; body material number 1.4567. Hole: 3.3 mm; head diameter: 6.5 mm. Grip range: check the product specification. | Shear: 1,900 N; tensile: 2,500 N. GESIPA product specifications; test basis not stated on the cited page. | The 10 mm body length alone does not show whether the material stack fits. |
| GESIPA standard A2 countersunk, 4.8 × 12 mm, article 1455184 | Body and mandrel: A2; body material number 1.4567. Hole: 4.9 mm; head diameter: 9.5 mm. Grip range: check the product specification. | Shear: 4,000 N; tensile: 5,000 N. GESIPA product specifications; test basis not stated on the cited page. | Use only where the countersunk head and substrate geometry suit the joint. |
| GESIPA G-Bulb A2 dome-head, 6.4 × 13 mm, article 1433937 | Body and mandrel: A2. Hole: 6.7–6.9 mm; head diameter: 13 mm. Grip behavior: check the product specification. | Shear: 8,000 N, tested according to DIN EN ISO 14589; tensile: 8,800 N. GESIPA says achieved forces vary by application. | A specialty design with a large closing head and mechanically locked residual mandrel; not a drop-in substitute for a standard rivet. |
See the manufacturer’s pages for the 3.2 mm standard rivet, the 4.8 mm countersunk rivet and the G-Bulb rivet. Confirm the exact article and its current data before ordering.
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When a standard head, countersunk head or G-Bulb makes sense
Standard dome head
A dome head is the conventional option when its bearing surface and projection are acceptable. The 3.2 mm GESIPA example illustrates why nominal diameter is only one part of the choice: verify its hole and grip specifications against the actual joint.
Countersunk head
A countersunk head can suit a design that calls for a lower-profile surface, but the substrate must have the required countersink geometry. The rivet’s head form does not by itself guarantee a flush or suitable installation.
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G-Bulb design
GESIPA describes the G-Bulb as having a large closing head and a mechanically locked residual mandrel. Its cited 6.4 × 13 mm example has its own hole dimensions and application-dependent performance. GESIPA states that the design can be installed with standard tooling; that guidance is specific to this product family.
What rivet gun works with stainless blind rivets?
Use a setting tool whose stated capacity and nosepiece configuration match the rivet diameter and product family. GESIPA’s 2023 tool catalog lists stainless-compatible nosepiece configurations, with the correct choice depending on both diameter and setting-tool family. Its G-Bulb product guidance describes standard-tool installation for that design; it is not a blanket compatibility claim for all stainless rivets. Consult the GESIPA 2023 tool catalog and the instructions for the specific tool before purchase or installation.
Quick Recap
Before ordering or setting the rivet
- Measure the complete stack thickness, including coatings, gaps and interlayers.
- Choose a product whose stated grip range contains that measurement.
- Verify rivet diameter, required hole diameter, head dimensions and substrate suitability against the product data.
- Confirm the exact body and mandrel material if a grade is specified by the project.
- Review the manufacturer’s strength data as product-specific information, not a substitute for joint design.
- Check tool capacity and nosepiece compatibility for the selected diameter and rivet family.
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