A retention pin assembly may include a stud having a head, a shaft, and a deformable end. The shaft may include a stepped surface having a greater diameter than the deformable end. The assembly may include a support member having an opening for receiving the deformable end. The support member may include a pocket. The stepped surface of the shaft may position the stud in relation to the support member. The deformable end of the stud may be operable to be melted to form a mechanical retainer within the pocket without forming a metallurgical joint between the stud and the pocket.

A retention pin assembly may include a stud having a head, a shaft, and a deformable end. The shaft may include a stepped surface having a greater diameter than the deformable end. The assembly may include a support member having an opening for receiving the deformable end. The support member may include a pocket. The stepped surface of the shaft may position the stud in relation to the support member. The deformable end of the stud may be operable to be melted to form a mechanical retainer within the pocket without forming a metallurgical joint between the stud and the pocket.

In at least one embodiment, an assembly is provided comprising a first member including a 6xxx series aluminum alloy heat treated to have a yield strength of at least 200 MPa and an r/t (bendability) ratio of up to 0.4. One or more members may be secured to the first member with a rivet (e.g., a self-piercing rivet). The heat treated alloy may have a yield strength of at least 260 MPa and may have a bendability ratio of up to 0.3. A method of forming an assembly is also provided, including heat treating a 6xxx series aluminum alloy to produce an alloy having a yield strength of at least 200 MPa and an r/t (bendability) ratio of up to 0.4 and riveting a member including the heat treated alloy to one or more additional members.

In at least one embodiment, an assembly is provided comprising a first member including a 6xxx series aluminum alloy heat treated to have a yield strength of at least 200 MPa and an r/t (bendability) ratio of up to 0.4. One or more members may be secured to the first member with a rivet (e.g., a self-piercing rivet). The heat treated alloy may have a yield strength of at least 260 MPa and may have a bendability ratio of up to 0.3. A method of forming an assembly is also provided, including heat treating a 6xxx series aluminum alloy to produce an alloy having a yield strength of at least 200 MPa and an r/t (bendability) ratio of up to 0.4 and riveting a member including the heat treated alloy to one or more additional members.

Systems and methods for mounting a panel to a wiring cabinet are provided. The wiring cabinet can include a frame profile with a frame profile opening and the panel can have a panel opening. A fastening element used to mount the panel to the wiring cabinet can include an expanding rivet with an opening and at least two rivet legs. The expanding rivet can be received through the panel opening and the frame profile opening when aligned. The fastener can also include an expanding body that can be inserted into the opening of the expanding rivet so that the rivet legs are forced apart to cause the rivet legs to engage the frame profile.

A method for increasing tensile strength of a cold workable alpha-beta titanium alloy comprises solution heat treating a cold workable alpha-beta titanium alloy in a temperature range of T.sub.-106 C. to T.sub.-72.2 C. for 15 minutes to 2 hours; cooling the alpha-beta titanium alloy at a cooling rate of at least 3000 C./minute; cold working the alpha-beta titanium alloy to impart an effective strain in the range of 5 percent to 35 percent in the alloy; and aging the alpha-beta titanium alloy in a temperature range of T.sub.-669 C. to T.sub.-517 C. for 1 to 8 hours. Fastener stock and fasteners including solution treated, quenched, cold worked, and aged alpha-beta titanium alloys are also disclosed.

A method for increasing tensile strength of a cold workable alpha-beta titanium alloy comprises solution heat treating a cold workable alpha-beta titanium alloy in a temperature range of T.sub.-106 C. to T.sub.-72.2 C. for 15 minutes to 2 hours; cooling the alpha-beta titanium alloy at a cooling rate of at least 3000 C./minute; cold working the alpha-beta titanium alloy to impart an effective strain in the range of 5 percent to 35 percent in the alloy; and aging the alpha-beta titanium alloy in a temperature range of T.sub.-669 C. to T.sub.-517 C. for 1 to 8 hours. Fastener stock and fasteners including solution treated, quenched, cold worked, and aged alpha-beta titanium alloys are also disclosed.

A Z-pin including a first bi-metal structure having a first metal strip and a second metal strip bonded together, where the first and second metal strips have different coefficients of thermal expansion, and a second bi-metal structure having a third metal strip and fourth metal strip bonded together, where the third metal strip and the fourth metal strip have different coefficients of thermal expansion. The first and third metal strips are selectively secured together at at least one discrete location so that heating of the Z-pin causes the first and second bi-metal structures to deform relative to each other. The Z-pin is inserted into a composite laminate structure while it is in its uncured state, where curing of the composite structure causes the first and second bi-metal structures to deform relative to each other to lock the laminate layers together.

A Z-pin including a first bi-metal structure having a first metal strip and a second metal strip bonded together, where the first and second metal strips have different coefficients of thermal expansion, and a second bi-metal structure having a third metal strip and fourth metal strip bonded together, where the third metal strip and the fourth metal strip have different coefficients of thermal expansion. The first and third metal strips are selectively secured together at at least one discrete location so that heating of the Z-pin causes the first and second bi-metal structures to deform relative to each other. The Z-pin is inserted into a composite laminate structure while it is in its uncured state, where curing of the composite structure causes the first and second bi-metal structures to deform relative to each other to lock the laminate layers together.

A mechanical coupling assembly that includes a primary substrate having at least one aperture formed therein. A secondary substrate includes at least one mechanical interlock monolithically formed with the secondary substrate. The at least one mechanical interlock extends through the aperture. The mechanical interlock includes a main body and a head portion with a transition portion connecting the main body and head portions. The main body includes a bore formed longitudinally therein about a centerline of the aperture. The mechanical interlock joins the primary substrate and secondary substrate mechanically.