They act by transferring the forces via mechanical interlock. This fastening technology is used in steel-to-steel connections, for instance, to connect cold-formed profiles. A screw is inserted into the base material via a gas-actuated gas gun. The driving energy is usually provided by firing a combustible propellant in powder form. The fastener's insertion provokes the plastic deformation of the base material which accommodates the fastener's head where the force transfer takes place.
http://www.jxtransportation.com/