Riveting is a process that utilizes a metal cylinder or tube-known as a rivet-with a diameter slightly smaller than that of the pre-drilled holes in the workpieces to be joined. The rivet is inserted through the workpieces, and its two ends are then struck or subjected to pressure. This action causes the metal column (or tube) to deform and expand radially while simultaneously forming a "head" (or cap) at both ends, thereby preventing the workpieces from detaching from the rivet. When subjected to external forces that attempt to separate the workpieces, the rivet shank and heads collectively bear the resulting shear forces, effectively preventing the workpieces from pulling apart.
A riveted joint is a type of non-dismountable, static connection-often simply referred to as "riveting"-that employs rivets to join two or more components (typically metal plates or structural profiles) together. Rivets generally fall into two major categories: hollow and solid. The most commonly used form of riveting involves solid rivets. Solid rivet joints are predominantly used for connecting metal components subjected to heavy loads, whereas hollow rivet joints are typically employed for joining thin plates or non-metal components subjected to lighter loads.
Riveting processes are broadly classified into two types: cold riveting and hot riveting. Hot riveting generally results in a tighter joint; however, a minute clearance remains between the rivet shank and the hole wall, meaning the shank itself does not directly contribute to load transmission. In contrast, during cold riveting, the rivet shank undergoes upsetting (radial expansion) to completely fill the hole, thereby eliminating any clearance between the shank and the hole wall. Steel rivets with diameters exceeding 10 mm are typically heated to temperatures between 1000°C and 1100°C for hot riveting, with the hammering force applied to the rivet shank averaging between 650 MPa and 800 MPa per unit area. Conversely, steel rivets with diameters under 10 mm-as well as rivets made from non-ferrous metals, light metals, and alloys exhibiting high ductility-are typically joined using the cold riveting method.
The primary characteristics of riveting include process simplicity, connection reliability, and excellent resistance to vibration and impact. Compared to welding, however, riveting presents several disadvantages: the resulting structure tends to be heavier and bulkier; the rivet holes compromise the cross-sectional strength of the joined components by 15% to 20%; the operation involves high physical labor intensity and generates significant noise; and overall production efficiency is relatively low. Consequently, in terms of economic efficiency and joint tightness, riveting generally falls short of welding.
