Experimental and numerical investigation on Self-Piercing Riveting

Self-Piercing Riveting (SPR) is a sheet metal joining technique based upon insertion of a rivet into two or more sheets, with no need for preparatory hole. This process is gaining increasing diffusion in the automotive industry, due to the growing use of alternative materials, such as aluminum or magnesium alloys, which are difficult to weld. This paper reports the results of numerical and experimental investigations, aimed at identifying the variables affecting the mechanical characteristics of the joint. The main goal of the paper is to achieve a better understanding of the mechanisms of joint formation and failure, in order to set a numerical model to be used as a tool for optimal joint design.