Riveting vs Welding: Choose the Right Methods for Sheet Metal Parts
The assembling of components is conducted through different methods of joining, among which riveting and welding are the two common ones. These two methods are used by many industries so that the components may be assembled and put to use for the relevant applications.
The guide below features detailed information about the comparison of riveting vs welding, so let's read.
What is Riveting?
Riveting is a method of joining that is semi-permanent and uses a fastener, also called a rivet, to join the parts. The parts joined using the rivet process are sheet metal components. The rivet has a shape that is a head-like dome.
The process of riveting involves drilling a hole in the sheet metal parts that are to be joined together, and a rivet is installed. The process of installation is based on the nature of the rivets you are using, like rivets that might need to be placed, punched, or drilled into the hole.
Once the rivets are installed inside the hole, the rivet’s tail is deformed by smashing it. The tail in the flattened form ensures that the rivets are not removed.
Pros and Cons of Riveting
The pros and cons of riveting are as follows:
Prós
- Riveting is a method that does not need any metal heating to join the parts together.
- It is suitable for metal parts that are not similar and non-ferrous.
- They consist of a flexible design.
- Rivet is a reliable method of joining.
- It helps to carry out quality checks easily.
- The process of assembling does not end up with damaged riveted components.
Cons
- The cost of riveting is high.
- It ends up increasing the weight of the part.
- These joints produce a lot of noise.
- The riveted area may experience corrosion, which leads to increased cost of maintenance.
- The plates get weaker due to the holes.
Types of Riveted Joints
The different types of riveted joints are as follows:
Lap Joint: A lap joint is created by taking two metal sheet components and overlapping them. The rivet is installed on the overlapped part. These joints can be either single or double, based on the rivets used.
Butt Joint: It can be created by butting the parts together and using a strap or a cover plate so that it can be bridged.
Single Strap Butt Joints: These joints create a single strap joining, which consists of placing the main plates against each other with no overlapping. The cover plate is placed on each side of the main plate, and it is then riveted.
Double Strap Butt Joint: It has a cover plate on the two sides of the joint, which covers the opposite sides of the sheet metal parts, and each cover plate is riveted.
Chain Riveted Joint: It creates a joint in the form of a chain rivet, which involves rivet rows opposing one another in a linear form.
Zig Zag Riveted Joint: This type of riveted joining has rows of rivets that are not complementary to one another.
What is Welding?
Welding is a process that joins two metal parts using a thermal process. Welding creates a permanent joint, which helps in aligning metal parts, and once cooled down, the parts are joined to create strong joints.
Pros and Cons of Welding
The pros and cons of welding are as follows:
Prós
- The joints that are welded together are solid.
- The process of welding is suitable for similar and different materials.
- These joints offer an aesthetic appearance.
- There are versatile shapes and directions to work when it comes to welding.
Cons
- The welded joints are brittle.
- If a lot of stress is being imposed on them, they might distort.
- The process of welding requires relevant skills.
- The process uses electricity, which increases the electricity cost.
Types of Welded Joints
The different types of welded joints são os seguintes:
Butt Joint Welding
Butt joint welding is a process which is very simple and consists of welding the metals having the same plane.
Lap Welding Joints
Lap welding joints are such butt joints that are modified and created by overlapping metal sheets and welding them with one another. These joints are suitable for sheet metals that have various thicknesses.
Corner Joint Welding
Corner joints are the ones that have a joint on the corner of the metal and form an L-shaped layout of the two metal sheets joined together.
Tee Joint Welding
Tee welding joints are achieved by placing materials in such a way that they cross one another at a right angle. The sheet metal part is placed at the center of another sheet metal, and a T-shape is achieved.
Riveting vs Welding Comparison
The two processes of welding vs riveting differ in various ways, and a detailed comparison is given below.
Materiais
The materials that are joined together in both processes can either be the same or different. However, if you want to join different materials, riveting proves to be a better choice.
Velocidade
Welding and riveting are both processes that are different in terms of speed. The welding process helps to offer more automation and efficiency. The process of riveting uses various processes like fastening, rivet flattening, and hole drilling.
Custo
The rivets have a low price, but the overall process is costly compared to welding, as the labor cost, material, and operational costs are all high.
Força
Welding creates permanent joints, and these joints are stronger than riveted joints. Hence, they can make rigid frames. However, welding is a permanent method and has more strength to offer.
Segurança
Riveting and welding both offer safety, but due to automation, welding is safer than riveting.
Aplicações
Riveting is used in the aeroespacial industry, shipbuilding, and bridge building. Welding is suitable for making parts used in the defense, aerospace, and electronics industries.
When to Choose Riveting over Welding
Some of the factors to consider when choosing riveting over welding are as follows:
- Materials that are not similar and have different melting points are usually joined through the process of riveting.
- Such materials that do not need any thermal process for joining are joined through riveting, like aluminum, which offers thermal instability.
- The parts that need disassembling may find the process of riveting a suitable one because it creates temporary joints. Moreover, if the components are disassembled, the part does not get damaged.
- Riveting is suitable for use on products that need flexibility without any loss of their structural integrity.
When to Choose Welding over Riveting
Some factors to consider when selecting welding over riveting are as follows:
- The parts that are used in weight-sensitive applications are better to be welded because welding doesn't add weight to them.
- The process of welding is automated and can join metals quickly.
- Welding offers an aesthetic appearance to the surface of the parts, which is not achieved by riveting.
- Welding creates a permanent joint, which makes it stronger compared to riveted ones.
- Welding offers suitability in applications where the parts have various shapes.
To Sum Up
The concept of riveting, as well as welding, both are used for the process of joining components. However, selecting the right process for the purpose is crucial, and after going through the guide above, you must have learned everything about them and their differences.
DEK- Your Reliable Partner for Welding and Riveting
Nós da DEK can offer you the two processes, riveting and welding, that are carried out to help you make components for your projects. We use advanced methods and have a skilled team that looks after the processes. So, get in touch with us for your next project.
FAQs
How strong is riveting?
Riveting is strong, but due to being temporary, it doesn't offer as much strength as offered by welding.
Is riveting stronger than welding?
Welding is a permanent joint and, hence, is stronger than riveting.
Is welding cheaper than riveting?
When joining thick materials, welding proves to be a cheaper choice, and when joining thinner materials, riveting is cheaper.
Why are aircraft riveted and not welded?
Riveting helps with ease of maintenance, repairs, and replacement, and hence, the aircraft parts are riveted and not welded.
