Metal oxide or metal nitride-coated steel fasteners
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsDiptak Bhattacharya, Andrew Clay Bobel, Ullrich Haus, Mary Gilliam, Michael J. Lukitsch
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Abstract
A fastener assembly and methods for forming a coated fastener are provided. The fastener assembly includes a fastener configured for joining at least two metal parts, and at least one of a metal oxide or a metal nitride dielectric coating disposed on an outside surface of the fastener. The fastener is formed from steel. The at least one of the metal oxide or the metal nitride dielectric coating includes an aluminum-based material and is configured to provide a dielectric barrier between the steel of the fastener and at least one second metal that is different than the steel of the fastener.
Claims20
A fastener assembly, comprising:
- a fastener configured for joining at least two metal parts, wherein the fastener is formed from steel;
- and
- at least one of a metal oxide or a metal nitride dielectric coating disposed on an outside surface of the fastener, wherein the at least one of the metal oxide or the metal nitride dielectric coating includes an aluminum-based material, wherein the at least one of metal oxide or metal nitride dielectric coating is configured to provide a dielectric barrier between the steel of the fastener and at least one second metal that is different than the steel of the fastener.
A method for forming a coated fastener, comprising:
- applying an aluminum-based metal to a fastener using at least one of electroplating or hot-dip aluminizing, wherein the fastener is formed from steel;
- and
- converting the aluminum-based metal into at least one of a metal oxide or a metal nitride dielectric coating to form the coated fastener with a dielectric coating, wherein the dielectric coating is configured to provide a dielectric barrier between the steel of the fastener and at least one second metal that is different than the steel of the fastener.
A method for forming a coated fastener, comprising:
- applying an aluminum-based metal to a fastener using electroplating, wherein the fastener is formed from steel;
- and
- converting the aluminum-based metal into a metal oxide dielectric coating including aluminum oxide (Al2O3) using a hard coat anodizing treatment to form the coated fastener with a dielectric coating, wherein the aluminum-based metal includes a first aluminum coating and a second aluminum oxide coating, and wherein the first aluminum coating and the second aluminum oxide coating are between 10 and 30 microns (µm) in total thickness, wherein the dielectric coating is configured to provide a dielectric barrier between the steel of the fastener and at least one of a first sheet of magnesium or a second sheet of aluminum.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.