What is the primary purpose of a permanent fastener?

The primary purpose of a permanent fastener is to produce strong, lightweight joints. Permanent fasteners are designed to provide structural integrity and durability in applications where the connection needs to withstand significant forces and stresses. These fasteners typically include rivets, welds, or certain types of adhesives that create a bond which is intended to last for the lifespan of the structures or components they connect.

These joints are engineered to ensure that once the fastener is in place, it will contribute to the overall strength and stability of the assembly. This is especially critical in aviation, where safety and performance are paramount. The design of permanent fasteners is often such that they can reduce weight while maintaining or increasing the strength of the joint, which is essential in the aerospace industry.

In contrast, temporary fasteners are designed for applications that require easy disassembly and reassembly, such as maintenance or construction processes. Their main focus is not on creating enduring strength, but rather on enabling access and flexibility. Therefore, the characteristic of creating strong, lightweight joints sets permanent fasteners apart as the best choice in the context of long-term structural applications.