Patent ID: 8544715

Claim:
A method of repairing a friction stir welded assembly having at least a first workpiece joined to a second workpiece, the method comprising the sequential steps of: (a) drilling a hole through a discrepant portion of a friction stir weld of the friction stir welded assembly; (b) sliding a mandrel head and a tubular rivet body of a rivet assembly through the hole; (c) seating a rivet head and a washer made of at least one of an adhesive and a sealer against one of the first workpiece and the second workpiece, with the washer located between portions of the rivet head and one of the first and second workpieces and between the tubular rivet body and the friction stir welded assembly prior to creating an upset portion of the rivet body; (d) pulling a mandrel to cause the mandrel head to create the upset portion of the rivet body engaging the friction stir welded assembly; and (e) curing the washer.