Patent ID: 7267736

Claim:
A method of joining dissimilar materials, said method comprising the steps of: placing a first component against a second component at a predetermined joining location, wherein the first and second components are composed of dissimilar materials; driving a self-piercing rivet through said first component and into said second component to mechanically attach said first component to said second component at said joining location, the self-piercing rivet comprising a head attached to a hollow cylindrical shank with a tapered end so that the shank penetrates through said first component and into said second component and encloses material of said first component in the hollow of said shank; passing an electrical current through said self-piercing rivet and said second component at said joining location to fuse material at an interface of at least the shank of said rivet and said second component; and stopping the flow of electrical current to solidify the fused material and form a welded bond between at least said rivet and said second component.