Abstract: A fastener includes a sleeve, a core bolt and an insert. The sleeve includes a tubular portion and an internal thread. The core bolt includes a cylindrical portion, a threaded portion with an external thread, and a thread runout between the cylindrical portion and the threaded portion. The core bolt is disposed within the sleeve and the external thread engages the internal thread. The insert is disposed within the sleeve and encircles a portion of the core bolt. The insert abuts and is retained between the internal thread and the thread runout in a pre-installation position. The insert is compressed between the internal thread and the thread runout by an installation motion of the core bolt simultaneously with a generation of a compressive load on the sleeve. The insert deforms simultaneously with and facilitates a formation of a bulb in the sleeve in response to the compression.

Abstract: A fastener including a pin member having a shank portion, a threaded portion having a thread, a lock portion having at least one lock groove, and a pull portion located having at least one pull groove. The threaded portion is adapted to be engaged threadedly with a threaded hole of a workpiece to install the pin member therein. The fastener includes a swage collar adapted to be installed into the at least one lock groove of the lock portion to secure a plurality of workpieces. The pull portion is adapted to break off when the fastener is installed.

Abstract: New aluminum alloys having magnesium and zinc are disclosed. The new magnesium-zinc aluminum alloys may include from 2.5 to 4.0 wt. % Mg, from 2.25 to 4.0 wt. % Zn, wherein (wt. % Mg/wt. % Zn)?1.0, and wherein (wt. % Mg/wt. % Zn)?1.6, from 0.20 to 0.9 wt. % Mn, from 0.10 to 0.40 wt. % Cu, up to 1.0 wt. % Li, up to 0.50 wt. % Fe, up to 0.50 wt. % Si, and optional secondary element(s), the balance being aluminum, optional incidental elements and impurities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fastening layers of non-ferrous alloys, like aluminum, magnesium and copper utilizes a steel fastener and a spot welding machine. The fastener and metals are stacked and the heat from the welder's electric current softens the lower melting point aluminum allowing the fastener to penetrate the aluminum. A weld zone between the fastener and the various layers creates an internal weld. The fastener has a rough shaft that is coated by the molten weld zone and is hard to withdraw on solidification. Layers of non-conductive materials like plastics and ceramics may also be affixed to a conductive layer using a fastener made from a compatible material that extends through a pilot hole and welds to or penetrates a conductive layer. The fastener may have projections that initially reduce contact area with the stack.

Abstract: Fastening collar installation apparatus and methods of installing a fastener system are provided. The fastening collar installation apparatus comprises an anvil, a sleeve, and a lever. The sleeve comprises a first section comprising a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end, a sleeve cavity, and a slot. The first sleeve end is intermediate the anvil and the second sleeve end. The slot extends a first distance from the first sleeve end. The lever is slidably received by the slot of the sleeve and configured to move between a first lever position in the slot and a second lever position in the slot. The lever comprises a second distance from a first lever end to a second lever end. The second distance is less than the first distance.

Abstract: Anti-shingle rivets are provided. The anti-shingle rivets comprise a head portion comprising an outer edge configured to inhibit shingling in a rivet delivery system and a shank extending from the head portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fastening dissimilar metals like steel and aluminum utilizes a steel rivet and a spot welding machine. The rivet and metals are stacked and the heat from the welder's electric current softens the lower melting point aluminum allowing the rivet to penetrate the aluminum and weld to the steel layer. The fastener may be used to join stacks with several layers of different materials and may be used to apply a threaded socket or stud made from steel or titanium to an aluminum or magnesium alloy structure. Layers of non-conductive materials like plastic and ceramics may also be affixed to a conductive layer using the fastener made from a compatible material that extends through a pilot hole.

Abstract: A fastener and a method of fastening are provided. The fastener can comprise a first end, an oppositely disposed second end, and an elongate portion intermediate the first end and the second end. The elongate portion comprises a first region adjacent to the first end and a second region adjacent to the second end. The first region extends a distance along the elongate portion and has a first diameter. The second region extends a distance along the elongate portion and has a second diameter different from the first diameter. The fastener comprises a transition zone which extends a distance along the elongate portion and connects the first region and the second region. The transition zone comprises a radiused region and a taper region.

Abstract: Metallic substrate treatment methods and articles comprising a phosphonate functionalized layer are provided. The method comprises contacting a metallic substrate comprising at least one of aluminum and an aluminum alloy with a fluid to form a phosphonate functionalized layer on at least a region of the metallic substrate. The fluid comprises at least one of a phosphonate containing acid and a derivative thereof. At least one of the phosphonate containing acid and the derivative thereof comprises a pKa of a first acidic proton. The fluid comprises a pH at least 0.5 pH value greater than the pKa of the first acidic proton. The article comprises a metallic substrate comprising aluminum or an aluminum alloy and a phosphonate functionalized layer on at least a region of the metallic substrate.

Abstract: A system includes a fastener and a fastener installation tool. The fastener includes a sleeve having a tubular portion with an internal threaded portion having an internal thread, and a head. The head of the sleeve is configured to be installed in an accessible hole in a workpiece having a surface. The fastener includes a pin member having a threaded portion with an external thread. The pin member is disposed within the sleeve and the external thread of the pin member is configured to threadedly engage the internal thread of the sleeve. The fastener installation tool includes a nosepiece having a face configured to engage the head of the sleeve without the face contacting the surface of the workpiece.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for fastening dissimilar materials like steel, plastic and aluminum. A resistance welding fastener having multiple layers may be used with or without a sealant. The fastener may be used to form an aluminum covered steel laminate via a hemming pattern of attachment. The fastener may have a solid shaft or have an extended reach and have features for interacting with the welding electrode. A variety of electrode tips may be employed to cooperate with the fastener.

Abstract: Self-forming thread blind fasteners and methods for fastening are provided. The self-forming thread blind fastener comprises a sleeve and a pin. The sleeve comprises a first sleeve end, a second sleeve end, an elongate portion, and an inner wall defining a bore. The pin is configured to be at least partially received by the bore. The pin comprises a first pin end, a second pin end, a pin head portion, an at least partially threaded portion, a shank intermediate, and a driving portion. The at least partially threaded portion is configured to form threads on at least a portion of the inner wall of the sleeve. The driving portion is configured to receive a torque to rotate the pin within the sleeve and thereby axially compress and deform the sleeve and form the threads on the at least a portion of the inner wall of the sleeve.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a blind fastener and a method of installation thereof. The blind fastener comprises a sleeve and a mandrel. The sleeve comprises a first sleeve end, a second sleeve end, and a cavity extending from the first sleeve end to the second sleeve end. The mandrel is configured to be at least partially received by the cavity of the sleeve. The mandrel comprises a first mandrel end disposed adjacent to the first sleeve end and comprising an enlarged portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of the cavity, a second mandrel end comprising a pull region, and a shank region extending intermediate the first mandrel end and the second mandrel end. The pull region comprises an axial length no greater than four times a diameter of the shank region and is configured to be engaged by an installation tool.

Abstract: Fastening collars, multi-piece fastening systems, and methods of fastening are provided. The fastening collar comprises a first end, a second end, and an elongate portion intermediate the first end and the second end and defining a longitudinal axis of the fastening collar. The elongate portion comprises a first region adjacent the first end, a second region intermediate the first region and the second end, and a cavity. The first region comprises a first diameter and is configured to be received by a bore of a structure. The second region comprises a second diameter greater than the first diameter. The cavity extends through the elongate portion and is configured to receive at least a portion of a shank of the multi-piece fastening system. The elongate portion is configured to at least partially deform onto the shank responsive to forcible contact between the second region and an installation tool.

Abstract: A collet assembly including an actuator and a collet connected to the actuator. The collet assembly is adapted to be installed on a welding electrode holder having an electrode. The collet is moveable by the actuator from an advanced position, in which the collet is adapted to grip a fastener such as a welding rivet, and a retracted position, in which at least a portion of the collet is retracted into the actuator to enable the electrode to engage the fastener for welding to a work piece, and the collet is adapted to release the fastener.

Abstract: Methods of fastening are provided. A method comprises contacting a fastener with a first layer of an assembly at a first location. The assembly comprises the first layer, a third layer, and a second layer positioned intermediate the first layer and the third layer. The first layer, the third layer, and the fastener are electrically conductive. The second layer defines a gap and the first location is in communication with the gap. Electrical communication is formed between the assembly and the fastener. The first layer is fastened to the third layer through the gap in the second layer with the fastener. The fastening comprises resistance welding the fastener to the third layer.