Abstract
Orbital riveting is an innovative joining technology used in various industrial fields. Despite its diffusion in recent years, it has not been accompanied by an equivalent interest from the scientific community, which has neglected the aspects of process optimization and joint performance. In this experimental/numerical study, six different configurations of orbital riveted joints were realised and tested to determine the effects of sheet thickness and rivet geometry on the mechanical properties of the joints and their failure modes. The results showed that the configuration of the joint significantly affects both its resistance and fracture mechanism. Moreover, it was possible to identify a transition between different failure modes by changing the rivet diameter. A non-optimal joint geometry favours a premature fracture at very low load (i.e., S9A21 batch with net tension fracture). The highest mechanical resistance was found in the S8A15 batch, which experienced unbuttoning failure. In order to better correlate the joint geometry with the mechanical behaviour and the relative stress distribution, a simplified numerical FEM was validated with the experimental results.
Highlights
Despite its diffusion in recent years, it has not been accompanied by an equivalent interest from the scientific community, which has neglected the aspects of process optimization and joint performance
The joints were realised on aluminium alloy AA 6082-T6 sheets with aluminium alloy
The symmetry reduces the bending phenomena, the area around the hole is subjected to a bearing phenomenon, and the fracture occurs mainly for unbuttoning
Summary
The correct identification of the appropriate joining technique in industrial applications is becoming an increasingly important step in the design phase of the engineering structures [1]. The final strength of orbital riveted joints is influenced by several factors, including the strength and thickness of the sheet materials, the rivet geometry, the geometry of the die and the configuration of the specimen [2] This technique has numerous advantages, in the literature, few works investigated this process, the operating parameters, and their optimization, unlike other innovative technologies. A correct joint design allows an optimal stress distribution to minimize the risk of premature and unexpected fracture of the mechanical component In such a context, the main objective of this experimental work was to investigate how changes in sheet thickness and rivet size can affect the mechanical properties of an orbitally formed joint between aluminium sheets.
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