Heat resistant self-piercing rivet for inserting into heated advanced high strength metal

Abstract

A material forming the self-piercing rivet having an elongation of at least about 10%, and the material forming the self-piercing rivet having a hardness of at least about any of 260 HV (Vickers scale), and the material forming the self-piercing rivet being selected from the group consisting of: an age or precipitation hardening steel alloy, a high alloy steel, a stainless steel, and a super-alloy steel. The material forming the self-piercing rivet enables the self-piercing rivet to be set into advanced high-strength metal components, at least one of which is at 400 degrees C. or higher, without cracking

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A self-piercing rivet for setting into advanced high-strength metal components, at least one of which is at 400 degrees C. or higher, the self-piercing rivet comprising:
 a material forming the self-piercing rivet having an elongation of at least about 10%, and the material forming the self-piercing rivet having a hardness of at least about any of 260 HV (Vickers scale), and the material forming the self-piercing rivet being selected from the group consisting of: an age or precipitation hardening steel alloy, a high alloy steel, a stainless steel, and a super-alloy steel;   wherein the material forming the self-piercing rivet enables the self-piercing rivet to be set into advanced high-strength metal components, at least one of which is at 400 degrees C. or higher, without exhibiting cracking.