Welding is a permanent joining of two similar metals by melting the point where they join and (often) adding additional \"filler\" material to facilitate. If done properly, the join becomes homogeneous and stronger than the surrounding metal. The only way of removing a weld is destructively. Rivet jointing of material is a semi-permanent jointing method. two components are placed alongside - one normally with a flange - clamped in place and then a hole drilled directly through both metals. A rivet is then fitted and hammered in place - normally forming a dome, but other rivet forms are available and can be used....even \"hidden rivets\" where the rivet is forged (repeatedly hit by a hammer) into a countersunk hole and then machined afterwards to create an invisible join. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Welding can affect the cellular structure of the metal creating internal stresses and weak points, adds material and can only be undertaken in similar metals. Riveting on the other hand can be undertaken in dissimilar metals, and can be separated afterwards (with some effort), however the joint is not homogenous and significant attention has to be paid to the stresses within the rivets in all likely situations. Poorly chosen rivet material (and plate material) combinations can result in unintended galvanic corrosion and early failure, thermal expansion of the plate material overstressing the rivets and breaking down the join (this is where in high temperatures the plates expand, causing a tensile loading to present within the rivet and a compressive loading on the plate around the rivet head that may exceed the Young\'s Modulus -of either the rivet or, compressively, the plate itself - causing a loosening of the joint and premature failure) Solution Welding is a permanent joining of two similar metals by melting the point where they join and (often) adding additional \"filler\" material to facilitate. If done properly, the join becomes homogeneous and stronger than the surrounding metal. The only way of removing a weld is destructively. Rivet jointing of material is a semi-permanent jointing method. two components are placed alongside - one normally with a flange - clamped in place and then a hole drilled directly through both metals. A rivet is then fitted and hammered in place - normally forming a dome, but other rivet forms are available and can be used....even \"hidden rivets\" where the rivet is forged (repeatedly hit by a hammer) into a countersunk hole and then machined afterwards to create an invisible join. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Welding can affect the cellular structure of the metal creating internal stresses and weak points, adds material and can only be undertaken in similar metals. Riveting on the other hand can be undertaken in dissimilar metals, and can be separated afterwards (with some effort), however the joint is not homogenous and significant attention has to be paid to the stresses w.