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Friction stir blind riveting (FSBR) is a new process for joining automotive light alloys based on aluminium and magnesium. During FSBR, a blind rivet, rotating at high speed (typically 2000-12000 rpm), is brought in contact with the upper sheet or workpiece of a lap joint. The frictional heat generated between the rivet and the workpieces softens the material and this, in turn, reduces the force required to drive the rivet into the workpieces. Once fully inserted, the blind rivet is upset using the internal mandrel and an appropriate tool, as in conventional blind riveting. The FSBR process thus retains the one-sided accessibility of conventional blind riveting, but eliminates the extra predrilling and any subsequent cleaning steps required for the latter process.