Uses for Rivets in Manufacturing and Construction(hot rolled vs cold rolled Roberta)
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- source:LONTL CNC Machining
Rivets have been used since ancient times in applications like armor and watercraft construction. Today, rivets continue to be a staple fastener due to their strength, durability, and ease of installation. While welding, screws, and adhesives have replaced rivets in some applications, rivets remain an essential fastening method in many industries.
Key Uses of Rivets
Aircraft and Aerospace Applications
Rivets are extensively used in aircraft and aerospace structures. Aluminum and titanium rivets are the most common types used to join the aluminum skins to the frame and other structural components. Rivets create very strong joints that can withstand enormous stresses during flight. They are also lightweight, which helps reduce the overall aircraft weight. The riveted construction allows for easier repair and replacements compared to welded joints.
Bridges and Steel Structures
Structural steel construction depends heavily on rivets to connect beams, girders, and trusses. The riveted connections transfer forces reliably across large spans in bridges, towers, cranes, transmission towers, and more. Riveting provides better fatigue performance compared to welding or bolting in these dynamic load-bearing structures. The Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower are two iconic riveted steel structures.
Ships, Boats, and Offshore Platforms
Shipbuilding has historically relied on rivets to assemble the hull plates and frames. The riveted seam between hull plates is watertight and withstands the dynamic loads. Modern shipbuilding uses welding more extensively, but rivets are still used to some extent. Rivets are also common in the construction of offshore oil rigs, cranes, and marine equipment. Stainless steel rivets resist corrosion in harsh marine environments.
Railroad Tracks
Rivets are an essential fastener for connecting the steel rails to the crossties and for joining the rail sections. The gap between rail ends is covered using joint bars, which are riveted to the rail ends. This allows expansion and contraction of rails due to temperature changes. Riveting also withstands the enormous dynamic loads exerted by passing trains.
Construction and Building
Rivets continue to be used in steel frame construction of skyscrapers and industrial buildings. They are also commonly used to fasten sheet metal roofing and siding materials to the underlying structure. Stainless steel rivets withstand corrosion and have good shear strength for these applications. Aluminum rivets provide lightweight fastening for aluminum panels used in architectural facades.
Manufacturing Plant Equipment
Heavy manufacturing equipment like boilers, pressure vessels, storage tanks, and process equipment rely extensively on rivets for assembly. High strength steel rivets withstand enormous internal pressure and dynamic operating loads. Gaskets are used along with rivets to create leakproof joints in piping and equipment. Rivets allow for convenient field repairs and replacements.
Automotive Industry
Self-pierce riveting (SPR) has grown tremendously in the automotive industry for joining stamped body panels and automobile frames. The riveting process is automated for high-speed production. SPR joints combine strength, fatigue resistance, and corrosion protection, while reducing weight compared to spot welding. Rivets are also used for attaching interior components and trim hardware in vehicle assembly.
Appliances and Consumer Products
Rivets provide reliable and inexpensive fastening for sheet metal enclosures, frames, and components used in appliances, electronics, and furniture. The growing use of aluminum and stainless steel necessitates rivets that resist corrosion while maintaining joint integrity. Pop rivets allow for easy blind assembly in mass production.
Key Rivet Materials and Types
Aluminum
Lightweight aluminum rivets are suitable for aircraft, automotive, and construction industry applications. Different aluminum alloys provide a good combination of strength, fatigue resistance, and corrosion protection.
Steel
Steel rivets offer very high shear and tensile strength for heavy load-bearing structures and high pressure applications. Carbon steel, alloy steel, and stainless steel rivets are commonly used.
Titanium
Titanium is valued for its very high strength-to-weight ratio. Titanium rivets offer lightweight strength for aircraft, spacecraft, and seagoing vessel construction.
Copper and Brass
Copper and brass rivets provide good corrosion resistance along with decent strength. Their excellent thermal and electrical conductivity is also useful for special applications.
Plastics
Plastic rivets made from nylon, acetal, polycarbonate, and other polymers provide lightweight and economical fastening for non-critical applications.
Common rivet types include:
- Solid/blind rivets - inserted and upset in place for permanent fastening
- Pop rivets - pre-assembled tubular rivets for quick blind side installation
- Drive rivets - installed using impact or hydraulic force for high clamping power
- Self-pierce rivets - pressed into materials without pre-drilling holes
- Split rivets - rivet splits into a cap and stem for easy installation
- Structural rivets - high strength rivets for construction and infrastructure
In summary, rivets continue to serve important fastening needs across manufacturing and construction applications where high strength, durability, corrosion resistance, field repairability, and ease of installation are required. Advancements in rivet materials, coatings, installation methods, and specialized rivet types ensure rivets will continue as a preferred mechanical fastener into the future. CNC Milling CNC Machining