Amorphous Metal Rivets for High-Strength Jointing and Pull-Out Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional rivets face challenges with high-strength alloys, experiencing excessive tensile and shear stresses, and pull-out issues due to material hardness mismatches, which are not effectively addressed by existing materials and installation methods.
Innovation Solution
The development of blind and bucked-type rivets made from amorphous metal alloys, specifically bulk metallic glass (BMG), which utilize elastic and thermoplastic deformation to secure metal plates, allowing for one-sided installation and enhanced gripping power through unique material properties and geometric designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rivets are used with high-strength alloys, then the rivet strength is improved, but excessive tensile and shear stresses occur due to material hardness mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional crystalline alloys to amorphous metal alloy, which fundamentally alters the stress-strain behavior. The amorphous structure eliminates grain boundaries and dislocations, allowing the rivet to distribute stresses more uniformly and avoid stress concentration points, thereby reducing excessive tensile and shear stresses while maintaining high strength
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses amorphous metal alloy as a composite material system that combines metallic properties with glass-like atomic structure. This composite nature provides both high strength and superior stress distribution characteristics, resolving the contradiction between strength and stress concentration
2Strength
If traditional rivets are used with high-strength alloys, then the rivet strength is improved, but pull-out issues occur due to material hardness mismatches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional crystalline alloys to amorphous metal alloy, which fundamentally alters the stress-strain behavior. The amorphous structure eliminates grain boundaries and dislocations, allowing the rivet to distribute stresses more uniformly and avoid stress concentration points, thereby reducing excessive tensile and shear stresses while maintaining high strength
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses amorphous metal alloy as a composite material system that combines metallic properties with glass-like atomic structure. This composite nature provides both high strength and superior stress distribution characteristics, resolving the contradiction between strength and stress concentration
3Ease of operation
If blind rivets are used for one-sided installation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the gripping power is reduced compared to standard rivets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from traditional crystalline alloys to amorphous metal alloy, which fundamentally alters the stress-strain behavior. The amorphous structure eliminates grain boundaries and dislocations, allowing the rivet to distribute stresses more uniformly and avoid stress concentration points, thereby reducing excessive tensile and shear stresses while maintaining high strength
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses amorphous metal alloy as a composite material system that combines metallic properties with glass-like atomic structure. This composite nature provides both high strength and superior stress distribution characteristics, resolving the contradiction between strength and stress concentration
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The BMG rivets provide improved mechanical stability and secure bonding of metal plates with reduced material failure rates, offering a lightweight alternative to welding and bolting, suitable for applications where weight is a concern, such as in ship and aircraft construction.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the first tail portion and the second tail portion is configured to elastically deform to secure the first member in position relative to the second member
Implementation Method 2
which utilize elastic and thermoplastic deformation to secure metal plates
Implementation Method 3
The anvil head is configured to plastically deform the formable member proximate to the second member
Implementation Method 4
The formable member may be heated by exciting the anvil ultrasonically
Implementation Method 5
or spinning the anvil rapidly across one or more surfaces of the formable member
Data Source
AI summary
A family of rivets including both blind and bucked-type rivets made at least partially from an amorphous metal alloy. A blind rivet includes a head portion and a tail portion. At least one of the head portion and the tail portion is configured to elastically deform to secure a first member in position relative to a second member. The head portion and the tail portion may include one or more deformable legs having an interface feature configured to engage with one of the first member and the second member. A bucked-type rivet assembly includes a formable member and an anvil. The anvil is configured to thermoplastically deform the formable member proximate to the second member by passing current through an electrical circuit that includes at least one of the formable member and anvil.