Welded to Perfection
Posted on: 2 March 2020
Welding is one of the most common techniques used in the metal fabrication process. However, it is not the only technique used to join together two metals that are dissimilar. Riveting is also used to achieve the same effect as welding, but it is done differently.
There are several differences between welded and riveted joints, each of which acts as an advantage or disadvantage. Here is a quick comparison of welded joints and riveted joints.
Weight
The weight of a metallic structure is often a huge concern for metal fabricators. This is because a large majority of their clients might not like heavy and bulky items.
Structures that have welded joints are known to be lighter than those that have riveted joints. This is because the welding process does not include the addition of other components into the structure of the item. With riveted joints, however, the extra weight of fixtures such as the gussets adds to the final weight of the item, thereby making it heavier and bulkier.
Aesthetics
In terms of aesthetics, welding also wins over riveting. This is simply because welded materials often have their edges smoothed in order to make the material aesthetically pleasing.
Also, welded joints are considered more aesthetically pleasing because they are much less conspicuous as compared to riveted joints. Thus, the presence of a welded joint is not likely to change the physical appearance of a metallic structure much.
Structural Integrity
The load-carrying capacity of a metallic structure such as a shoe rack can also be affected by the type of fabrication technique employed in the making of the structure.
The installation of riveted joints on a metallic structure requires the pre-drilling of holes on the surface of the structure into which the rivets will go. This requirement is often seen as a disadvantage because it reduces the load-carrying capacity of the metallic structure in question.
Welding is done without the need to puncture the metal surface of the structure in question, thereby reducing its load-carrying capacity.
Versatility
Lastly, welding is a viable option for the fabrication of specially-shaped items (such as cylindrical tanks) that cannot be riveted into being. Therefore, the welding process is considered to be a more versatile alternative as compared to the riveting process.
If the choice between welded and riveted joints has been on your mind, the above discussion shows why you should opt for welded joints on your metallic structures.
To learn more about welded joints, contact professionals offering welding services in your area.
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