Overview
ISO 14589:2000 - "Blind rivets - Mechanical testing" defines standardized methods for mechanical tests on blind rivets. The standard covers test types, fixtures, procedures and acceptance criteria at ambient temperatures (10 °C to 35 °C) and applies to blind rivets with nominal diameters up to and including 6.4 mm. Test types specified include shear and tensile tests, mandrel head retention, mandrel push‑out (prior to setting) and mandrel break load testing.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Test types covered
- Shear test and tensile test (clause 3)
- Mandrel head retention capability test (clause 4)
- Mandrel push‑out resistance test (prior to setting) (clause 5)
- Mandrel break load test (clause 6)
- Test environment
- Ambient temperature: 10 °C to 35 °C
- Test machine and grips
- Testing machines must comply with ISO 7500‑1 (verification/calibration of force‑measuring system)
- Attachment grips shall be self‑aligning and apply load along the correct axis
- Loading rate
- Continuous loading at 7 mm/min to 13 mm/min until failure or movement
- Test fixtures and materials
- Routine and referee test fixtures are specified; referee fixtures/inserts are decisive in disputes
- Test plates: steel hardness ≥ 420 HV30
- Referee inserts: steel hardness ≥ 700 HV30
- Annex A provides an example of a suitable tensile test fixture (informative)
- Short rivet evaluation
- Special acceptance categories if test plates or inserts fail before rivet failure (document lists criteria a–d)
- Clearance hole diameters (selected values from Table 2)
- Nominal rivet d = 2.4 mm → test hole max 2.60 mm, min 2.55 mm
- d = 3.0 mm → max 3.20 mm, min 3.15 mm
- d = 4.0 mm → max 4.20 mm, min 4.15 mm
- d = 6.4 mm → max 6.60 mm, min 6.55 mm
Applications and who uses it
- Quality control and inspection: manufacturers of blind rivets and fasteners use ISO 14589 to qualify product batches and validate mechanical performance.
- Product development and R&D: engineering teams testing new rivet designs or materials rely on standardized mechanical test methods.
- Procurement and compliance: buyers and specifiers in aerospace, automotive, construction and electronics reference ISO 14589 for supplier acceptance criteria.
- Test laboratories: accredited test houses performing routine and referee testing follow the fixture, hardness and procedure requirements in this standard.
Related standards
- ISO 7500‑1:1999 - Metallic materials: verification of static uniaxial testing machines (normative reference in ISO 14589)
- Annex A (ISO 14589) - informative example of a tensile test fixture
Keywords: ISO 14589, blind rivets mechanical testing, blind rivet testing, shear test, tensile test, mandrel break load, mandrel push out, mandrel head retention, test fixtures, ISO 7500‑1.
