Rivet Clamp Loads
Rivet Clamp Loads
(OP)
I am planning to fasten a steel bracket (1.5 mm thick) to a thermoplastic panel using rivets. Are there any general guidelines for specifying the required clamp load?
Are there some rivet designs that provide greater clamp load than others of the same size?
Are there some rivet designs that provide greater clamp load than others of the same size?





RE: Rivet Clamp Loads
If you are using "pop" rivets, it is hard to control the clamping force as this is controlled by the failure stress on the internal pin that must be broken to set the rivet as well as the rivet length. The clamping force can be reduced to 0 by using a removable shim (be sure to lubricate it)and pulling it out after "popping".
RE: Rivet Clamp Loads
When you start to worry about clamp load on plastic you must remember the creep characteristics of the plastic being used. Many tests have proven that clamp in plastic will approach 0 very quickly at room temperatures and even faster at elavated temperatures due to the creep phenomena. It can also be a function of the initial clamp induced into the plastic.
There is an excellent book on Fastening into Plastic by Ken Gomes that discusses the many different approaches into several different type plastics. It can be found by searching authors on Amazon.com or barnes-noble.com. I do not recall the name of it right now but most of Ken's books deal with plastic and aluminum since both materials act very similar.
Good Luck.
Bill P.
CSFT, Inc.