When making a sheet metal repair with two pieces of 0.0625-inch aluminum riveted together, what is the length of the rivets used?

In riveted connections, the appropriate length of the rivets is determined by the total thickness of the materials being joined plus additional length for the rivet head and any required grip to ensure a secure hold. In this scenario, two pieces of aluminum, each with a thickness of 0.0625 inches, are being joined.

The total thickness of the materials is calculated by adding the thickness of each piece:

0.0625 inches + 0.0625 inches = 0.125 inches (or 1/8 inch).

When selecting rivet length, it's important to allow for the rivet head and the grip length needed for the joint security. A standard guideline often used is that the rivet should extend approximately 1/4 inch beyond the combined thickness for adequate grip, which can lead to selecting rivets that total around 1/4 inch + the thickness of the materials being riveted.

Therefore, a rivet length of 5/16 inch (which is equivalent to 0.3125 inches) provides sufficient length to accommodate both the material thickness and the necessary grip for a strong connection. The 5/16 inch length ensures that the rivet can fully expand and secure the joint effectively, making