Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
(OP)
Just a curiosity, really, but I was wondering if anyone knows of any modern applications for hot-driven rivets. I was trying to think of someplace where they're commonly used (or used at all) in modern designs... and I couldn't. They used to be used all of the time in ships and bridges, but these days those sorts of things are just welded or bolted (as far as I know, anyways).
I know that rivets offer the benefit of arresting cracks which would propagate right through a weld. They also don't back out like bolts can, but I don't know if the cost of installation is worth the added benefits.
Thoughts?
I know that rivets offer the benefit of arresting cracks which would propagate right through a weld. They also don't back out like bolts can, but I don't know if the cost of installation is worth the added benefits.
Thoughts?





RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
I think that an induction heater would be a very efficient method of heating rivets for a production process.
They are probably annoying to remove...
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
At that time the rivets were fairly easy to find 1/2" dia mild steel, I had to make my own rivet sets. In this case the "Forge" was a rosebud tip on a welding torch. The hammer a #7 slow hitting rivet gun, undersized , but all I had at the time. The other guys in the shop were amazed that this " Old fart" ( I was 59 at the time) could do something that they had only read about in books, and the younger guys in the shop had never even heard of it.
B.E
The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
But a riveted joint joins two or three separate pieces of steel together, and a traditional crack generally doesn't propagate across the edges of the first plate to the next plate. Also, the very slight movement of one piece of steel to the next reduces the tendency to crack under heat stress or load changes: one overloaded rivet in a group of 8 or 9 releases its load to the lesser loaded nearby rivets. A welded joint can't "give" as easily, and can induce stress as it cools down and pulls the formerly separate plates
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
The last time I saw large rivets being hand set was at a Nashville Bridge Plant in Alabama near my home around 1970. It always amazed me that the riveters never missed catching a hot rivet thrown from the forge up to 75" away.
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
More difficult to apply, less safe for unskilled and inexperienced installers, but it gives a tighter joint.
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
http
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
Wow, nice link!
flash3780,
I think this is an excellent example of why hot riveting is used instead of bolting-- it is not meant to be a connection that is ever disassembled, so conventional threaded fasteners are not needed. Based on the rivet diameter and length, high strength twist-off type bolts or lockbolts are probably not widely available. The laminated design/construction makes welding a problem.
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
I assume that they use hot rivets rather than cold rivets because they make a tighter joint and fill the holes better when you mash them. You also get better ductility in a hot forging process, so I'm sure that the fracture toughness of a hot-driven rivet is higher.
Neat.
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
Ultimate = 45,000 psi min., Yield = 23,000 psi min.
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
I have two hydraulic presses (50 and 60 ton) in the shop that will drive up to 1" rivets (hot). I've used a friends 100 ton to drive 1 1/2" (because I could~)
Check out ballardforge.com, youtube under hydraulic riveting or my good friend Vern in Michigan at historicbridgerestoration.com for more details. I highly recommend Vern's workshops and lectures from luminary professionals who take the arcane into the scientific realm.
Personally, I try to use them whenever I would reach for the welder- as in this staircase
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
What is Engineering anyway: FAQ1088-1484: In layman terms, what is "engineering"?
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
RE: Modern Applications of Hot Rivets
A modern application of hot rivets, is the use of hot rivets on chain shackles by the coastguard on navigation aids i.e. channel marker bouys. I guess they don't want them coming loose.
B,E,
The good engineer does not need to memorize every formula; he just needs to know where he can find them when he needs them. Old professor