What is the appropriate length of a rivet to join a sheet of .032-inch and .064-inch aluminum alloy?

For joining a sheet of .032-inch and .064-inch aluminum alloy using a rivet, the appropriate length is determined by considering the thickness of the materials being joined and the necessary allowances for the rivet head and tail.

When using rivets, the general guidance is to select a length that accommodates the total thickness of the materials plus additional allowances for the rivet’s deformations and to ensure sufficient grip. In this case, the total thickness of the materials is .032 + .064 which equals .096 inches. The correct formula for determining the rivet length that effectively accommodates the thickness of both sheets, along with an appropriate extra length for proper installation and grip, is one and one-half times the rivet diameter plus the total thickness of the sheets being joined. Therefore, by applying this formula, it leads us to the choice that specifies one and one-half times the rivet diameter plus .096 inches, which is indeed the appropriate answer.

This calculation ensures that the rivet will adequately penetrate both materials while still allowing for a strong bond without compromising structural integrity. Using a length based solely on a multiple of the diameter or inadequately adjusting for the sheet thickness could result in insufficient grip or a poor joint overall.