New Open Access Publication

The use of high-strength, stainless materials for the production of semi-hollow punch rivets enables an increase in the resource efficiency of the rivet manufacturing process, as the usually necessary energy-intensive process steps of heat treatment and coating of the rivets can be omitted. However, due to the high degree of hardening of such materials during forming, there is high tool stress. The influence of process fluctuations plays a significant role as this poses a risk of premature tool failure. Therefore, in the context of this article, the influence of geometric fluctuations in the blanks used for forming was fundamentally investigated. In this way, cross-process chain connections were identified between the use of the semi-finished products, the forming process, the subsequent use of the rivet for joining and the resulting joint connection. The process knowledge thus acquired represents an important basis for the successful use of high-strength, stainless materials for auxiliary parts to be joined.

Kuball, C.-M.; Uhe, B.; Meschut, G.; Merklein, M.: Cross-process chain influence of process variations in self-piercing riveting with regard to semi-finished product dimensions. Journal of Advanced Joining Processes. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jajp.2024.100227