The clinching process generates a mechanical locking of the overlapping material members, as is seen on the picture below. The S-shaped interface between the layers shows how the upper layer is trapped inside the lower layer.
Since the joining is purely mechanical, it means that material couples that would be difficult to join by spot welding can easily be assembled by clinching. This is for example the case for steel+aluminum, a common situation in the automotive sector, or steel+composite material, often encountered in the appliances area.
The strength of a clinch joint depends on four major factors
the inherent material strength
a clinch joint in steel will be stronger than one in aluminum
the material thickness
a clinch joint in 4 mm, 0.160", total will be stronger than one in 2 mm, 0.080", total
the clinch point size
a clinch point with dimensions 5 mm, 3/16", will be stronger than one with 3 mm, 1/8", size
the material surface conditions
a perfectly dry surface will give a stronger joint than one which is oiled or greased, in particular in aluminum
In Single-stroke clinching, the material to be joined, sheet and profile, or overlapping sheets are forced into a die through the action of a punch >>>read more
In Double-stroke clinching, a unique joining method, exclusively used by ATTEXOR Tools and ATTEXOR, Inc. the material to be joined is pushed into a rigid die through the action of a punch >>>read more
