Perforated composites for joining of metallic and composite materials

Abstract

Embodiments in the present invention provide a system and method of joining structural members. This method involves aligning the first structural member to a metallic substrate when the first structural member has at least one tapered hole or cavity. A metallic or other like material suitable to cold spraying technology is deposited into the tapered cavity to form a shaped or tapered fastener bonded to the metallic substrate. The shape of the fastener secures the first structural member to the metallic substrate. Additionally, a protective insert may be placed within the shaped or tapered cavity to protect the first structural member during hoe cold spraying deposition when the first structural member is a composite material or other like material susceptible to erosion during the cold spraying technique. After the material has been deposited using cold spray techniques this material may be further solidified and bonded to the metallic substrate using a technique such as friction stir welding in order to increase the load carrying capacity of the in-situ shaped fastener.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.