For lightweight materials, e.g. aluminium, the definition of proper joining technology relies on material properties, as well as design and manufacturing aspects. Substrate thickness is especially relevant due to its impact on the weight of components. The present work compares the performance of adhesively bonded (AJ) to hybrid riveted-bonded joints (HJ) using aluminium substrates. To assess the lightweight potential of these joining methods, the effect of substrate thickness (2 and 3 mm) on the lap-shear strength (LSS) of single lap joints is investigated. An epoxy-based structural adhesive is employed for bonding, whilst HJs are produced by lockbolt rivet insertion into fully cured adhesive joints. The stiffness of joints increased with an increase of substrate thickness. HJs presented two-staged failure process with an increase in energy absorption and displacement at break. For HJs, the substrate thickness changed the failure mechanism of rivets: with thicker substrates failure occurred due to shear, whereas in thinner substrates due to rivet pulling-through. The LSS of 2 mm and 3 mm-thick AJs is similar. With 2 mm-thick substrates, the LSS of HJs was lower than AJs. In contrast, the highest LSS is obtained by the 3 mm-thick HJs. The highest lightweight potential, i.e. LSS divided by weight, is achieved by the 2 mm-thick AJs, followed by the 3 mm-thick HJs with a loss of ca. 10% of specific LSS.
