1. Aerospace Fastener Applications
Part 2
An Aerospace Manufacturing Perspective

2. Aerospace Rivets
Primarily used to fasten aerospace skins to the sub-structure
Concerned mainly with shear and tension loads.
Two types of rivets:
Solid Rivet
Blind Rivet

3. Aerospace Rivets
Rivets on the skin of a Boeing 737

4. Aerospace Solid Rivets

5. Aerospace Solid Rivets
Universal solid rivets on the skin of a Boeing 737
Note that they are not flush with the skin

6. Aerospace Solid Rivets
Countersunk solid rivets on the engine pylon of a Boeing 737
Note that these rivets are flush with the surface

7. Aerospace Solid Rivets

8. Aerospace Solid Rivets - Identification
Rivets manufactured in accordance with the AN/MS standards are identified by a four part code:
AN or MS specification and head type
one or two letters that indicate the material
shank diameter in 1/32nd inch increments
a dash followed by a number that indicates rivet length in 1/16th inch increments.

9. Aerospace Solid Rivets - Identification
Aircraft rivets are made of many materials, and come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes
How do you select the right size?
How do you select the right material?
We must know what the part number tells us…

10. Aerospace Solid Rivets - Identification
Example: rivet identification
standard universal head solid rivet
Material: 2117-T4 aluminium
1/8 inch diameter
5/16 inch in length
Rivet ID = either AN470AD4-5 or MS20470AD4-5

11. Aerospace Solid Rivets - Identification
Same rivet, different material:1100 aluminium
AN470A4-5 or MS20470A4-5.
AN470 or MS20470 denote the specification for universal head types
AD is the material code for 2117-T4
(A=1100, B=5056, C=copper, D=2017, DD=2024, F=stainless and M=Monel)
4 = 4/32 or 1/8 inch diameter
-5 = 5/16 inch length

12. Aerospace Solid Rivet Installation
Rivet installation summary
Drill appropriately sized holes
Deburr holes
Secure pieces together with Clecos
Install rivet, buck with rivet gun or use a rivet squeezer

13. Aerospace Solid Rivet Installation
.032” 2024-T6 sheet aluminum to be joined with rivets
Rivet gun
Bucking bar
Drill
Drill bit and chuck key
Center punch
Cleco
Cleco pliers

14. Aerospace Solid Rivet Installation
Drilling holes with a #30 drill bit
Use 1/8” rivets with a #30 (.1285”) drill bit

15. Aerospace Solid Rivet Installation
Deburr the holes by rotating (by hand) a much larger drill bit in the holes
This removes any metal shavings caused by drilling

16. Aerospace Solid Rivet Installation
Position the pieces together and secure using Clecos
Clecos maintain proper alignment of the pieces while rivets are being installed

17. Aerospace Solid Rivet Installation
Place the rivet in the hole
Make sure you are using the correct size, material, and type of rivet

18. Aerospace Solid Rivet Installation
Align the rivet gun on the rivet head
Hold the bucking bar on the opposite end of the rivet
Pull the trigger on the rivet gun to hammer the rivet in place

19. Aerospace Solid Rivet Installation
Solid rivets can be installed using a rivet squeezer instead of a pneumatic rivet gun
The squeezer is hand operated
The squeezer uses various inserts depending on the type and size of rivet being installed

20. Aerospace Blind Rivets
Used when you cannot physically access one side of the work
Blind rivets are hollow, and thus weaker than solid rivets
To retain strength of the joint:
stronger material, larger diameter rivets, or more are necessary and of course
20–50% heavier than a solid rivet because of steel stem

21. Aerospace Blind Rivets

22. Aerospace Rivets – Fuselage Repair
Exterior of a riveted patch fuselage skin patch
Note that solid fasteners are used except in the middle of the patch
Why would you use blind fasteners in this application?

23. Aerospace Rivets – Fuselage Repair
Interior of a riveted fuselage skin patch
Because the stringer on the interior of the fuselage prevents the bucking a solid rivet requires
Blind rivets are the only option when access is restricted

24. Quality Assurance of Aerospace Fasteners
Aerospace Fasteners Material Selection
Aerospace Fasteners Testing

25. Aerospace Fasteners Material Selection
Background
Some factors to be considered before material selection are:
The max. and min. operating temperatures
The corrosiveness of the environment
Fatigue and impact loading
Always try to use standard fasteners, such as AN, MS, MIL, NAS, SAE

26. Aerospace Fasteners Material Selection
Alloy Steels
Aluminum
Titanium
Stainless Steel
Superalloys

27. Aerospace Fasteners Material Selection
Aluminum is the predominant material used in the manufacture of commercial aircraft.
Table 3 lists the typical aluminum alloys used in commercial aircraft.

28. Basic Aerospace Fasteners Application
The basic applications (or needs) for aerospace fasteners are:
Shear
Tension
Fatigue
Fuel tightness
High temperature
Corrosion control

29. Aerospace Fasteners Testing
Analyzing a Joint
Calculate all the load required for each type of joint failure:
Rivet Shear
Sheet Tensile
Bearing
Sheet Shear
Failure will occur in the mode that corresponds with the lowest load carrying capability.

30. Aerospace Fastener Standardization
Most aerospace hardware is manufactured per government standards
The three most common aircraft fastener standards used are:
AN = Air Force/Navy
NAS = National Aerospace Standards
MS = Military Standards

31. Common Standardized Fasteners
Bolts
Nuts
Washers
Turnbuckles
Cotter pins
Screws
Rivets
Plumbing fittings (pipes and tubes)