BLIND RIVET AND A METHOD OF JOINING THEREWITH

The invention relates to blind rivets and to methods of joining therewith. The method of the invention is suitable for joining two or more workpieces with a blind rivet. The method includes the first step of positioning a blind rivet at a point of overlap of two or more workpieces, the blind rivet including a rivet body and a mandrel. The next step involves rotating the mandrel about a longitudinal axis thereof and contacting the mandrel with the overlapping workpieces, wherein the mandrel is rotated at a speed to cause plasticization of the overlapping workpieces. The method then involves causing the mandrel to penetrate through the plasticized overlapping workpieces and form an aperture therethrough. A further step of the method involves capturing a portion of the overlapping workpieces that is displaced upon the penetration of the mandrel and securing the rivet body within the aperture to join the overlapping workpieces. The invention also includes a workpiece penetrating and joining blind rivet. The blind rivet includes a rivet body including a shank having a first end, a second end and an axial passage extending through the shank between the first and second ends. Also included is a mandrel including a shaft positioned within the axial passage and a head at one end of the shaft for contacting a workpiece wherein the mandrel is configured so that when contacting the workpiece, being rotated about a longitudinal axis thereof at a speed to cause plasticization of the workpiece and being caused to penetrate through the plasticized workpiece the mandrel cores a portion of the plasticised workpiece, displaces the portion from the workpiece and forms an aperture in the workpiece.