What should be done to ensure secure fastening when riveting?

Using appropriate rivet sizes is essential for ensuring secure fastening when riveting. Rivets must be selected based on the materials being joined, their thickness, and the overall load that will be applied to the joint. If rivets are too small, they may not provide enough strength to hold the materials together effectively, leading to potential failure of the joint. Conversely, excessively large rivets can cause stress concentrations or distort the materials.

Selecting the right size of rivet allows for maximum surface area contact with the materials, resulting in a more robust connection. Properly sized rivets also help to accommodate the intended stresses and loads. This choice, therefore, is a critical factor in achieving a strong and durable riveted joint.

Other practices, such as changing rivet spacing or increasing the number of rivets, can contribute to joint strength but are secondary to ensuring the rivet sizes are suitable for the specific application. Adjusting metal thickness may not always be feasible and could complicate the design without addressing the immediate problem of rivet size compatibility.