Method of joining of polymeric composites

A method of joining first and second layers of material, the method comprising:

• disposing a portion of a molded insert having a bottom end into a top surface of a first layer of material;
• applying a layer of adhesive between the top surface of the first layer and a bottom surface of a second layer of material to create a bond-line thickness;
• piercing through a top surface of the second layer of material with a headless end of a flow screw;
• interlocking the headless end of the flow screw into the molded insert;
• and
• applying a layer of protective coating to the top surface of the second layer of material to cover the interlocked flow screw.

A method of joining first and second layers of material, the method comprising:

• disposing a portion of a solid molded insert having a bottom end into a top surface of a first layer of material;
• applying a layer of adhesive between the top surface of the first layer and a bottom surface of a second layer of material to create a bond-line thickness;
• piercing through a top surface of the second layer of material and the molded insert with a headless end of a fastener;
• interlocking the headless end of the fastener into the molded insert;
• and
• after the step of interlocking, applying a layer of protective coating to the entire top surface of the second layer of material to cover the interlocked fastener.