The Friction Riveting (FricRiveting) technique is a new alternative spot joining process developed for polymer-metal hybrid structures. In the technique, a cylindrical metallic rivet is used to join one or more thermoplastic-metal components by means of plasticizing and deforming the tip of the rotating rivet through frictional heating. Advantages of this new technique are short joining cycles, minimal sample preparation, absence of environmental emissions and simple operability. Friction riveted joints have enhanced mechanical performance. This study demonstrates the feasibility of FricRiveting by analyzing a case-study joint on polyetherimide / aluminum alloys. Sound joints on polyetherimide/aluminum 2024-T351 with elevated mechanical strength (up to 93% of the rivet strength) were successfully produced and characterized in terms of microstructure (light optical and scanning microscopy and computer microtomography).
hybrid structures; riveting; friction welding; thermoplastic polymers; lightweight alloys
