CR3523-5-02 – CherryMAX® 100° Countersunk Structural Blind Rivet
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The CherryMAX® CR3523-5-02 is a high-strength, high-performance, structural blind rivet, and one of the most trusted and versatile fastening systems in the aerospace industry. It is designed to be installed in "blind" applications where there is no access to the backside of the structure, providing a reliable and strong joint that is equivalent in strength to a solid rivet in many applications. This fastener's 100° countersunk head allows for a perfectly flush installation on aircraft skins and surfaces, ensuring a smooth, aerodynamically clean finish.
The genius of the CherryMAX® system lies in its patented, mechanically locked, flush-fracturing stem. During installation, the high-strength 7075 aluminum alloy stem is drawn, which forms a large blind-side head, fills the hole, and clamps the sheets together. Critically, before the stem fractures, a locking collar is swaged into a groove, creating a permanent mechanical lock. This retained stem section then carries a significant portion of the shear load, making the rivet a truly structural component. The stem is engineered to fracture flush with the rivet head, eliminating the need for secondary shaving operations, thereby saving significant installation time.
Key Features
Genuine CherryMAX® Rivet: The industry benchmark for reliable, structural blind fastening, manufactured by Cherry Aerospace.
Positive Mechanical Stem Lock: Features a swaged locking collar that mechanically locks the stem into the rivet sleeve, guaranteeing stem retention and full shear strength.
Flush-Fracturing Stem: The stem is engineered to break flush with the rivet head consistently, eliminating the need for post-installation trimming or shaving.
Large Blind-Side Footprint: The installation process forms a large, bulbed footprint on the blind side, providing a broad bearing surface that is ideal for thin sheets and composite structures.
Excellent Hole-Filling Capability: During installation, the rivet sleeve is radially expanded to completely fill the prepared hole, creating a tight, vibration-resistant fit that improves joint fatigue life.
100° Countersunk Head: Allows for a perfectly flush installation in countersunk holes, ideal for external aircraft surfaces.
Technical Specifications
Part Number: CR3523-5-02
Component Type: Structural Blind Rivet
Manufacturer: Cherry Aerospace
Governing Specification: Qualified to National Aerospace Standards NAS9301 through NAS9312.
Materials:
Sleeve: 5056 Aluminum Alloy
Stem: 7075 Aluminum Alloy
Locking Collar: Monel
Head Style: 100° Countersunk (Flush)
Diameter: 5/32 inch (Nominal range 0.156 - 0.160 inches)
Grip Range: 0.063 - 0.125 inches (1/16 to 1/8 inch)
Aircraft Compatibility
The CR3523-5-02 is a standard structural fastener used in the manufacturing and repair of virtually all modern aircraft from all major OEMs, including Textron, Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Gulfstream, and others.
Crucial Note: The correct rivet part number, including diameter and grip length, for a specific repair must be determined from the applicable aircraft Structural Repair Manual (SRM) or an approved engineering disposition.
Applications
The CR3523-5-02 is designed for permanent structural joints where access is limited to one side. Common applications include:
Aircraft Skin and Fuselage Repairs ("Patching")
Joining Ribs and Stringers to Skin Panels
Trailing Edge and Control Surface Assembly
Component and Fairing Attachments
Why Choose CR3523-5-02?
Choosing a genuine CherryMAX® CR3523-5-02 is a decision for certified structural integrity and installation efficiency. Unlike simple, non-structural "pop" rivets, the CherryMAX® features a mechanically locked, load-bearing stem that gives it the high shear and tensile strength required for flight-critical applications. Its reliability and consistency are unparalleled in the field of blind fastening. Furthermore, the flush-fracturing stem provides a significant labor savings over older blind rivet systems that required a secondary shaving operation. For any structural repair where access is limited, the CherryMAX® system is the proven, industry-standard solution.
The installation of a CherryMAX® rivet is a precisely engineered sequence based on the principle of a locked spindle. The rivet consists of a ductile sleeve and a high-strength, grooved stem with a locking collar. The installation tool's pulling head grips the stem's serrations. As the tool pulls, the stem's conical section expands the sleeve to fill the hole, then continues to draw material to form a large blind-side bulb, clamping the sheets. As the pulling load approaches the stem's designed fracture strength, the tool's driving anvil makes contact with and begins to swage the ductile locking collar into the deep locking groove on the stem. This creates a permanent, 360-degree mechanical interference lock that prevents the now-tensioned stem from ever backing out. The system is designed with a specific load sequence: the stem will only fracture at its break-notch after the locking collar is fully formed and inspected by the tool. This guarantees three critical outcomes for a successful joint: sheet clamp-up, hole-fill, and a mechanically locked, retained stem that can carry its full design shear load.
Note: This is a flight-critical structural fastener. The selection of the correct grip length is essential for proper blind-side head formation. The hole preparation, including diameter and deburring, must be performed in strict accordance with the maintenance manual. This rivet must be installed using a specific CherryMAX® pulling head (e.g., H701B-456) and a properly calibrated riveting tool. Installation must be performed by a certified A&P mechanic or airframe technician in accordance with the aircraft's Structural Repair Manual (SRM).
Documentation
The definitive technical requirements and installation procedures are detailed in the Cherry Aerospace product documentation and the applicable National Aerospace Standards (NAS9301-NAS9312).