Allowable Rivet Wear

[boo1]

We have major rivet wear on an aluminum rudder for a marine hovercraft. The rivets are blind protruding head mechanically locked spindle type NAS 1738-5 and 6. Is there damage limits to clarify allowable damage to the rivet heads and formed rivet ends due to service wear?

 

[Michael996]

If you are not refering to wear to the heads, there there shouldn't be any wear. If there is wear on the shanks, you have a bad joint. Requiring repair, not matter what.

 

[boo1]

The wear is on the heads. The system operated in a lot of sand, salt spray, and debris. So, we are developing criteria for allowable wear, do you know where there an documentation for allowable wear?

 

[DaleJ]

Your situation might be a good application for a friction drilled hole. This process is great for blind holes and eliminating riv-nuts and other fasteners. Just a thought.

Check out these sites for the low down;

http://www.frictiondrill.com

http://www.flowdrill.nl

http://www.formdrill.com