Investigation on the behaviour of self-pierced rivets (SPR) in high strength 6xxx aluminium alloys

Self Pierced Rivets (SPRs) is a simple process where similar and dissimilar materials are joined. They have many more benefits of use compared to welding process. SPR rose to prominence in the early 1990s when it was adopted by Audi to join structural panels in the all Aluminium Audi A8. In addition to vehicle body applications the technique is also used by the automotive industry to join exhaust heat shields, spare wheel supports and battery mountings. They are widely used in manufacturing modern aircrafts, vehicles, buildings, cutlery, cookware, coins, jewellery, firearms and surgical implants. In addition the use of SPRs reduces fuel and vehicle consumption, decreases greenhouse gases in Earth's atmosphere. However despite their wide use, very little is known about the factors that determine the quality of joints.