Assembling metals
There are permanent and non-permanent methods of joining metals together. Where a strong join is required, or when the two joined materials will experience a lot of force, permanent joins such as welds are typically used. Where there are concerns that surfaces may be damaged, or parts will need to be replaceable, then non-permanent methods of joining are commonly used.
Permanent
Welding utilises electricity or gas torches to generate heat to fuse metals together. This process involves melting the metal components to be joined then using a filler material to add to the joining point between the surfaces. This filler material is generally added to the joint to form a pool of molten material called the weld pool that cools to form a joint that is usually stronger than the base materials.
Soldering is a similar process to welding as it involves joining two metals together with a filler material. The filler material added to the joint to form a join between two components. It differes from welding because the two metals to be joined are not melted 鈥 only the filler material.
Riveting is means of joining two metals together through drill holes aligned in both bits of metal. The rivet is the component that fastens them. The rivet is hammered or forced into the aligned holes. In the process it deforms and expands to hold the two pieces of metal together.
Contact adhesives are used to bond materials together. They can come in several forms. It can be a singular tube of glue strong enough to bind two bits of different material securely. It can be two separate tubes, one an acting agent and the other the bonding agent that will only work when the two are mixed or come into contact. Contact adhesives can be very fast acting and strong.
Non-permanent
Nut and bolts are a metal fastening device used to join two pieces of material together through aligned drill holes in both bits of material. The bolt fits through the holes and the nuts holds it in place. The benefit of nuts and bolts is that they can be easily removed.
Screws, like nuts and bolts, are a metal fastening that connects two bits of material together. Screws do this by carving a thread into the material that holds them secure. Like nuts and bolts, they can be easily removed.