What is a disadvantage of welding compared to riveting in sheet metal structures?

Welding creates more heat distortion in sheet metal structures due to the significant amount of heat applied to the metal during the welding process. This heat causes expansion of the metal at the weld site, and as it cools, it can contract unevenly, leading to warping or distortion of the surrounding material. This distortion can affect the integrity and alignment of the structure, which is particularly important in applications requiring high precision.

In contrast, riveting involves joining materials without the introduction of extreme heat, which minimizes the risk of distortion. Therefore, while welding can produce strong joints, the potential for heat distortion in welded joints poses a disadvantage when precision and dimensional stability are critical in sheet metal structures.