Rivet Bonding Workpiece Stack-Ups Having One Or More Polymer Composite Workpieces

A method of rivet bonding a workpiece stack-up that comprises at least one polymer composite workpiece, the method comprising:

• applying an adhesive on at least one surface of the workpiece stack-up;
• bringing workpieces of the workpiece stack-up together with the adhesive situated between the workpieces;
• curing the adhesive to a partially-cured state, wherein a ratio of lap shear strength of the adhesive in the partially-cured state to lap shear strength of the adhesive in a fully-cured state is less than approximately 70 percent (%);
• installing a rivet through the workpiece stack-up and through the adhesive while the adhesive is in the partially-cured state;
• and
• curing the adhesive after rivet installation to the fully-cured state.

A method of rivet bonding a workpiece stack-up that comprises at least one polymer composite workpiece, the method comprising:

• applying an adhesive on at least one surface of the workpiece stack-up;
• bringing workpieces of the workpiece stack-up together with the adhesive situated between the workpieces;
• curing the adhesive to a partially-cured state, wherein a ratio of lap shear strength of the adhesive in the partially-cured state to lap shear strength of the adhesive in a fully-cured state is less than approximately 70 percent (%);
• cutting a hole through the workpiece stack-up and through the adhesive while the adhesive is in the partially-cured state;
• inserting the rivet through the hole in the workpiece stack-up while the adhesive is in the partially-cured state;
• swaging a collar to a stem of the inserted rivet while the adhesive is in the partially-cured state;
• and
• curing the adhesive to a fully-cured state after rivet insertion and after collar swaging.