What is a common consequence of using too much pressure when driving a rivet?

Using too much pressure when driving a rivet can lead to the deformation of the rivet. Rivets are designed to form a mechanical bond by expanding within the materials they are joining. If excessive pressure is applied, the rivet can become distorted, compromising its shape and the integrity of the joint it was meant to create. Deformation can also interfere with the rivet's ability to fit securely into the hole, potentially affecting the load distribution and structural strength of the assembly.

This consequence is critical to understand because the effectiveness of a rivet depends on its ability to expand correctly and create a tight fit. Overdriving can result in an improper installation, which would lead to a failure in holding the components together securely. This could necessitate a repair or a complete rework of the rivet assembly, which is both time-consuming and costly.

In contrast, options that suggest the rivet will not hold, that the assembly will not require inspection, or that the rivet will slide out do not accurately encompass the primary structural issues resulting from overdriving. An improper rivet can still occasionally hold under low stress conditions, regardless of deformation, and any assembly typically requires inspection regardless of how the rivet was installed.