An elastomeric collar has a body portion with a generally cylindrical shape from a first end portion to a second end portion and defining a through opening extending along a central axis. A first annular flange is connected to and extends radially outward from the first end portion of the body portion. A second annular flange is connected to and extends radially outward from the second end portion of the body portion, where the second annular flange is axially spaced by a gap from the first annular flange. The body portion, the first annular flange, and the second annular flange are made of an elastomer having a durometer of at least 40A.

A fastening apparatus includes a fastening device (1, 3) that heats in a non-contacting state, and then applies pressure to, a shaft part (11b) or shaft body (111) while it is inserted through the through holes (W10, W20) of workpieces (W1, W2), thereby forming at least a second head part (11c) of a fastener (11). The fastening device (1, 3) includes: a fastening die (15) that forms the second head part (11c); and a shaft-part pressure-applying device (9) that applies the pressure to the fastening die (15). A determining device (5) determines whether the fastener (11) is defective or not by calculating a load curve defined by the time and the load during which the pressure was applied and then determining whether an amount of change per unit of time in the load curve after a reference load has been exceeded is within a range of a predetermined reference value.

A fastening apparatus includes a fastening device (1, 3) that heats in a non-contacting state, and then applies pressure to, a shaft part (11b) or shaft body (111) while it is inserted through the through holes (W10, W20) of workpieces (W1, W2), thereby forming at least a second head part (11c) of a fastener (11). The fastening device (1, 3) includes: a fastening die (15) that forms the second head part (11c); and a shaft-part pressure-applying device (9) that applies the pressure to the fastening die (15). A determining device (5) determines whether the fastener (11) is defective or not by calculating a load curve defined by the time and the load during which the pressure was applied and then determining whether an amount of change per unit of time in the load curve after a reference load has been exceeded is within a range of a predetermined reference value.

A method is provided for assembling a stack-up including a first workpiece with a clearance hole and a second workpiece. The method comprises adhering an adhesive to a first face of the first workpiece so as to completely cover and close the clearance hole and securing the second workpiece to a second face of the first workpiece with an adhesive. A stack-up and the method of capturing adhesive squeeze-out during a stack-up assembly process are also disclosed.

A self-piercing rivet for connecting high-strength steels. The rivet having a head which has a head diameter (DH); a shank which has a shank diameter (DS); and, located at the foot end of the shank opposite the head, the shank has radially outward a flat surface section and radially inward an axial recess defining an axial depth (LB). The ratio of axial depth (LB) of the recess to the shank diameter (DS) is smaller than 0.3.

A self-piercing rivet for connecting high-strength steels. The rivet having a head which has a head diameter (DH); a shank which has a shank diameter (DS); and, located at the foot end of the shank opposite the head, the shank has radially outward a flat surface section and radially inward an axial recess defining an axial depth (LB). The ratio of axial depth (LB) of the recess to the shank diameter (DS) is smaller than 0.3.

A thin, cured gel gasket is disclosed, including methods of making the thin gel gasket and the use of the thin gel gasket in an aircraft joint. In one embodiment, the thin gel gasket has no skeleton or other structure and is comprised of only a cured polyurethane gel and has a thickness of less than about 12 mill. It is manufactured using a release film that is adapted in a number of ways to make release from the gel prior to use easier. In one method of making and using the thin gel gasket. it is applied to a joint which is subject to compression, in one embodiment, a lap joint of an aircraft fuselage.

A fastener system for ignition prevention triggered by a lightning strike. The fastener has a fastener body and a fastener head, and a fastening member configured to be mounted on a portion of the fastener body, wherein the fastener and the fastening member are configured to fasten at least a first part and a second part between the fastener head and the fastening member, and the fastener comprises an electrically insulating material. A structure comprises the fastener system, the first part that faces an outside from where the lightning strike may hit the first part and the second part.

The present invention discloses a fastener assembly having an engaging portion with a projecting stem which is interiorly hollowed over at least an intermediate extending range. The stem includes a solid end most extending portion. A receiving portion is provided with an inner rim defined edge, a diameter of an aperture between the rim edge being less than a diameter of an inserting portion of the stem. Upon forcible passage of the solid end of the fastener past the narrowed rim edge, an intermediate hollowed interior portion of the stem aligning with the narrowed rim edge and exhibiting a controlled collapse against said rim edge in order to anchor the portions together.

A method of joining first and second layers of material according to the principles of the present disclosure includes applying a layer of adhesive between the first and second layers and allowing the adhesive layer to at least partially cure. The method further includes piercing the first layer with a headless end of a rivet after the adhesive layer is cured, deforming the second layer with the headless end of the rivet, and bending the headless end of the rivet radially outward.