Process for constructing lightning strike protection for adhesively bonded graphite composite joints

A method of assembling a composite bonded joint comprising:

• applying at least one layer of an adhesive onto mounting surfaces of a pair of supports of an electrically conductive preform;
• applying the at least one layer of the adhesive onto a surface of an electrically conductive composite structure having exposed electrically conductive fibers or to a mounting surface of a base having exposed electrically conductive fibers of the electrically conductive preform;
• applying at least one layer of an electrically conductive scrim that includes a bonding adhesive intertwined with an electrically conductive mesh material on the mounting surfaces of the pair of supports and on the surface of the electrically conductive composite structure or the mounting surface of the base;
• inserting an electrically conductive composite rib having exposed electrically conductive fibers into a U-shaped space defined by the pair of supports and the base of the electrically conductive preform such that the mounting surfaces contact surfaces of the electrically conductive composite rib;
• attaching the base of the electrically conductive preform to the electrically conductive composite structure, the electrically conductive mesh composition being disposed over the base of the preform and extending to the surface of the composite structure and being disposed over the pair of supports and extending to the surface of the rib to provide an electrically conductive path around the bonded joint;
• and
• curing the composite bonded joint;
• wherein prior to curing the composite bonded joint, the method further comprising attaching structural overwraps to attachment surfaces of the electrically conductive preform and to the surfaces of the electrically conductive composite rib and the electrically conductive composite structure.