Weldable metal composites and methods
OwnerDavid Sigler, Robin Stevenson +1inventors
InventorsDavid Sigler, Robin Stevenson, Michael Karagoulis
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Abstract
The present invention is directed to an improved laminated, sound damping resistance weldable composite and a method for its manufacture. The metal composite structure (10) features two metal members (12)(14) sandwiching a viscoelastic layer (26) where the viscoelastic layer entrains electrically conductive particles (28). Barrier elements (32) (34) are disposed between the metal members and the viscoelastic layer to inhibit and/or prevent contaminant migration into the metal from the viscoelastic layer and/or conductive particles during welding.
Claims20
A weldable metal composite, comprising:
- a first metal member and a second metal member;
- a viscoelastic layer disposed between said first and second metal members;
- electrically conductive particles dispersed in said viscoelastic layer;
- at least a first barrier layer located between a select one of said first metal member or said second metal member and said viscoelastic layer;
- said at least first barrier layer inhibiting transfer to the metal member of harmful contaminants from the viscoelastic layer during welding of the composite.
A sound damping composite structure comprising:
- a first steel sheet having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- a second steel sheet having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
- an adhesive layer located between the interior surface of the first steel sheet and the interior surface of the second steel sheet, the adhesive layer comprising conductive particles which allow electric current to flow between the first and second steel sheets during welding of the composite;
- a first barrier layer located on the interior surface of the first steel sheet;
- and
- a second barrier layer located on the interior surface of the second steel sheet;
- the first and second barrier layers able to inhibit diffusion of carbon from the adhesive layer into the steel sheets during welding of the composite.
A method of making a metal composite comprising the steps of:
- applying a viscoelastic layer between a first metal member and a second metal member where said viscoelasatic layer includes electrically conductive particles;
- establishing a barrier layer between said viscoelasatic layer and a select one of said first or second metal members;
- resistance welding said first metal member and said second metal member together, and inhibiting the formation of primary and secondary alloys by preventing migration of carbon through said barrier layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.