Fastener Superstore Blog
New Product Line: Back Up Washers for Rivets
November 14, 2022
Over the years, we've had many requests that we carry Back Up Washers For Rivets. We're happy to announce that we've added this useful product to our lineup.
Back up washers for rivets are sometimes used to provide a larger bearing surface on the front end of a rivet installation. They're primarily used with standard dome head rivets. They can be used with large flange blind rivets for extra strength, but they will have a smaller outer diameter than the flange of a large flange rivet, so they will not increase the bearing surface.
The washer is slipped onto the barrel of your rivet, which is then inserted into the hole for installation. One important fact to note is that the washer will increase the thickness of the parts you are riveting together. Because of this, you will need to include the thickness of the washer when calculating what grip range you need.
Back up washers can also be a useful solution if you find that the grip range of the rivets you have purchased is wider than the thickness of the parts you are riveting together. A rivet with a larger than necessary grip range will fit loosely and allow the rivet to shake or move in its position.
We offer four sizes of these washers, matching the most common rivet diameters: 1/8"; 5/32"; 3/16" and 1/4". Each size is offered in aluminum or steel with a zinc finish.