Spin-blind-riveting: secure joining of plastic with metal

Based on a continuous trend towards lightweight design and the need of load-carrying joints between metals and fibre-reinforced plastics, Spin-Blind-Riveting (SBR) was developed at the Chair of Welding Engineering of Technische Universität Chemnitz. Through the combination of a rotated rivet and the application of a joining force, rivet connections can be fabricated without the need of predrilling the sheets. Tests were carried out with material combinations which are significant for lightweight constructions such as magnesium and aluminium alloys and glass fibre-reinforced polyamide in sheet thicknesses of 1 and 2 mm. Results show that the SBR process permits reliable rivet connections over a wide range of joining parameters. SBR joints combine high shear strength with low standard deviation of joint strength. Short joining time, high loadability and high reproducibility make Spin-Blind-Riveting an attractive new joining process for lightweight applications.