Joining metal together can be achieved through various methods, broadly categorized as temporary or permanent, depending on the desired outcome and application.
Metals can be joined using mechanical fastening techniques for temporary connections or through processes like welding, soldering, brazing, or adhesives for permanent bonds.
Methods for Joining Metal
The method chosen for joining metal depends on factors such as the types of metal, the required strength of the joint, whether the connection needs to be temporary or permanent, and the specific application.
Temporary Joining Methods
Temporary methods allow parts to be assembled and disassembled relatively easily without significantly damaging the components.
- Mechanical Fastening Techniques: These are common methods that use separate hardware to hold metal parts together.
- Screws, Nuts, and Bolts: These allow for easy assembly and disassembly using tools. They create strong, but removable, joints.
- Rivets: Rivets create a more secure, though still potentially temporary, joint. They are inserted into holes and deformed to hold pieces together. As noted in the reference, rivets can be drilled out and replaced if disassembly is required.
Permanent Joining Methods
Permanent methods create bonds that are difficult or impossible to break without damaging the metal parts.
- Soft Soldering: Uses a filler metal (solder) with a low melting point to join parts. The base metals do not melt. Often used for electrical connections or plumbing.
- Brazing: Similar to soldering but uses a filler metal with a higher melting point. The base metals still do not melt, creating a strong joint.
- Welding: A process where heat is used to melt the edges of the metal parts, often with a filler material, to fuse them together.
- Gas or Oxyacetylene Welding: Uses a flame to melt and join metals.
- Arc Welding: Uses an electric arc to generate heat for melting and joining metals. This is a broad category encompassing many specific techniques.
- Friction Welding: Uses mechanical friction to heat and join materials, typically done with rotating parts.
- Adhesives: Certain strong adhesives can be used to bond metal parts together, offering a clean finish and even distribution of stress across the joint.
Comparing Common Joining Methods
Here's a simple comparison of some methods mentioned in the reference:
| Method Type | Examples | Permanence | Key Characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary | Screws, Nuts & Bolts, Rivets | Temporary | Can be disassembled (e.g., rivets drilled out) |
| Permanent (Low Heat) | Soft Soldering, Brazing, Adhesives | Permanent | Base metals don't melt (except for some adhesives) |
| Permanent (High Heat) | Gas/Oxyacetylene Welding, Arc Welding, Friction Welding | Permanent | Base metals typically melt at the joint |
Understanding the different ways to join metal is crucial for manufacturing, construction, repair, and many other fields.
