Interference-fit riveting technique in fiber composite laminates

Interference strengthening technology is a common method of improving the fatigue life of metal assemblies, and is particularly used to prolong service life of metal structures. Composite materials have lower interlaminar strength and lower stretch ratio making it difficult to implement interference-fit joining, especially interference-fit riveting. The primary difficulty is controlling the interference to prevent damaging to the composite structure. The expansion of the rivet shaft by conventional riveting techniques is non-uniform and easy to damage the composite structure. Hence, interference-fit riveting is not recommended in composite structures. However, experimental results have shown that interference strengthening technology can be effectual in composite structures. The paper describes an electromagnetic riveting (EMR) technique which can create a well-distributed shaft expansion, and can be used to conduct interference-fit riveting in composites structures. This paper gives out that using an especial washer and appropriate clearance between shaft and aperture wall can restrict shaft expansion and prevent damaging to composites, and also studies the configuration of the washer and the clearance of riveting composite laminates. The paper also reports on an investigation involving a comparison of shaft expansion between hydraulic squeeze riveting and EMR. The experiments show that EMR technique can achieve an interference-fit riveting in fiber composite structures.