Eli5 Why there are so many rivets on fighter jets and why not use welding instead?
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Aircraft are usually thin and aluminum, neither of which are easy to weld. Rivets are much more repeatable with less operator error. Rivets can also be stronger and are much easier to inspect over the lifetime of the plane.
Aircraft are usually thin and aluminum, neither of which are easy to weld. Rivets are much more repeatable with less operator error. Rivets can also be stronger and are much easier to inspect over the lifetime of the plane.
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Simple answer, they are not.
Modern 4/5th generation jets are composite built without rivets or welding, instead using composite binding, glues or printed parts.
Fighters you see with rivets which many are still operating such as Mig 23 or mirage 3 were developed in the 1960s, when riveting was still optimal for aircraft as the alternative was screws. However, even then, they weren’t used uniformly. Solid rivets, semi tubular, blind and Huk rivets were all used. The choice was dictated by the requirements of the area of the plane, such as weight, tensile strength, sheer strength.
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Aircraft are usually thin and aluminum, neither of which are easy to weld. Rivets are much more repeatable with less operator error. Rivets can also be stronger and are much easier to inspect over the lifetime of the plane.
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