SURVEY OF MECHANICAL FASTENING TECHNIQUES FOR USE IN SHEET METAL

Roderick, D.I. (1); Humphreys, A. (2); Kwan, A. (3)

(1) EngD Centre UK
(2) British Steel Strip Products UK
(3) University of Wales Cardiff UK

The most widely used method of joining sheet metal components together is welding. However, with organic or metallic coated steel sheets welding becomes unsuitable. There are many alternatives to welding but their use and the understanding of their behaviour of joining methods using mechanical fastening systems (blind rivets, self drilling, self tapping and flow drilling screws, air powered nails and self piercing rivets for example). Requirements for the fastener may be strength, economics, durability, quality, ease of use, flush fitting, single sided access, semi/full automation of process, reuse and self positoning and all are considered during this investigation.

Keywords: Fasteners, fixing, joining, mechanical fastening techniques.