Taking Flight: The Critical Role Rivets Play In Aerospace Engineering

If you have ever looked out of a plane window at the surface of the wing, you might have noticed that all the panels are held together with a series of small round joiners along their edges. These are rivets and believe it or not, these small and inconspicuous little fasteners are actually one of the key ingredients in the history and success of the aerospace industry. The design and flexibility of the rivet is a fundamental part of what lets aeroplanes do what they do. But just what is it about rivets that makes them so special?

Structural Integrity

Aerospace rivets are used because they evenly distribute the load and stress on the components, which makes them much stronger than welded joints. In an environment such as aerospace where the levels of force experienced can be extremely high, this can make a significant difference.

Weight Optimisation

Rivets are manufactured from lightweight materials that can help improve fuel efficiency and performance. This is a key consideration in aerospace engineering as this directly affects both the ticket prices for passengers and the profit margins for the airline companies. Every ounce of weight that can be spared from aircraft design translates into huge savings over the course of the plane’s useful life.

Moderate Vibration

Structural blind rivets and Lockbolts are engineered to absorb vibrations during flight, enhancing passenger comfort and minimising stress on the aircraft structure. These specialised fastening systems are ideal for challenging environments characterised by high levels of vibration, such as an aeroplane soaring through the atmosphere at several hundred miles per hour. The design features of these rivets, including high shear and pullout strength, transform standard joints into safer and more reliable connections. This is particularly beneficial in the aerospace industry, where safety is of the utmost importance.

Corrosion Resistance

Rivets made from corrosion resistant materials (e.g. Monel rivets) ensure durable and reliable joints in harsh environments. When exposed to extremes of temperature and high levels of moisture, some materials can easily perish over time. But the nickel alloy used on Monel rivets are very high strength and very resistant to corrosion. They also have a high melting point and are exceptionally tough. That’s why rivets are used in aircraft design.

Repairability and Accessibility

Rivets are easily replaceable, simplifying aircraft maintenance and reducing the need for complex procedures or equipment. This can help to keep costs down and reduce downtime for any aircraft in a fleet. As you can see, aerospace rivets play a huge part in keeping planes in the air, safely and efficiently. Even in an age where other methods are available, aircraft designers still rely on rivets to get the job done. Discover the Rivetwise edge in aircraft construction. Get in contact and explore our range today!