Rivet plastic to metal?

[Nate360]

Can anyone provide any information on using a rivet (either aluminum or stainless) to attach a plastic connector to a piece of sheetmetal (.080 aluminum)?

Is this an acceptable practice?

 

[Adrian2]

Dear Nate;

The people who make the rivets also make washers which fit between the flange on the rivet head and the plastic part to be secured so that you dont crack the plastic when you set the rivet. If the plastic is a good deal thicker than the diameter of the rivet, even this might not be necessary.

Rivet manufacturer will tell you what the grip length is, and the pullout strength, so long as you observe those specs, it should work fine with aluminum rivets.

I am assuming of course that the connector will not be used to secure a stampeding elephant or that the connector will be used on the surface of the planet mercury. This might modify the design parameters somewhat.

Regards Adrian

 

[Nate360]

Thanks Adrian
I am ok with grip range and pull out strength.
Mercury is out because our shuttle is in the shop.
The circus left town, so there goes my elephant.
Luckily, these plastic connectors are securing wire assemblies!
I will perform a shake test to thoroughly investigate the
connection.
-Nate

 

[nbucska]

Think pop-rivet ! <nbucska@pcperipherals.com>

 

[Nate360]

Yes, Pop (r) is what I would use.
A closed-end style rivet.

 

[wojo]

My concern in this type of application is: What is required? What do you have to meet? Do you need a flush condition on either side? How much surface area on the plastic face is needed to provide sufficient pull-out or push-through?
Also, is there any deformation allowed on either surface?
How much $ are budgeted for the fastener (cost)?
When these criteria are known, I know which style of riveting fastener to use.

 

The 1946 Ercoupe I own has the side slidding windows of lexan or perplex( both have been used) slidding in curved guides the shape of the cockpit The plastic is fastened between two formed aluminum guides top and bottom of window there are handle's and locking holes ( for a padlock ) formed in the top aluminum guides, the guides are fastened with five aluminum rivets sandwiching the plastic between the two guides top and bottom, When the fastic breaks it is at the edge of the guides not at the rivet holes. Hope this helps Regards R.D.S.

 

[CustomHardware]

For a complete line of plastic fasteners, including those used in wire assemblies, contact industrial.hardware@verizon.net

 

[0theblacksmith0]

Have you considered trying SPR's?
Audi,Volvo etc use them now to fasten plastic mouldings to steel,ali,galv etc.Try a search on Self Piercing rivets.
TWWeld.

 

[evmundo]

Nate,

Try the following website:

http://www.gesipa.co.uk/

I have had a couple of years experience working with these guys in the Automotive field securing various components, metal and plastic to Aluminium sheet. They also understand the detrimental effects of bimetallic corrosion associated with steel on Aluminium, so will not advise you anything that will fail, there website also has plenty of tech info.

Regs

Evmundo