Method of joining metallic and composite components
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorEdmund B. Semmes
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is provided for joining a metallic member to a structure made of a composite matrix material. One or more surfaces of a portion of the metallic member that is to be joined to the composite matrix structure is provided with a plurality of outwardly projecting studs. The surface including the studs is brought into engagement with a portion of an uncured composite matrix material so that fibers of the composite matrix material intertwine with the studs, and the metallic member and composite structure form an assembly. The assembly is then companion cured so as to join the metallic member to the composite matrix material structure.
Claims27
A method for joining a metallic member to a structure made of a composite matrix material, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a metallic member including a plurality of outwardly projecting studs on at least one surface of a portion of the metallic member;
- mechanically joining at least one surface including the studs with a portion of an uncured composite matrix material of a composite matrix structure so that fibers of the uncured composite matrix material intertwine with the studs so as to form an assembly of the metallic member and the uncured composite matrix structure;
- and
- companion autoclave curing the assembly in an autoclave so as to join the metallic member to the cured composite matrix structure.
A method for joining a metallic member to a structure made of a composite matrix material, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing, on at least one surface of a portion of the metallic member that is to be joined to the uncured composite matrix structure, a plurality of studs that project outwardly from the at least one surface;
- bringing the at least one surface provided with the studs into engagement with a portion of the uncured composite matrix structure so that fibers of the uncured composite matrix material intertwine with the studs;
- and
- companion autoclave curing in an autoclave the uncured composite matrix material and at least said portion of metallic member so as to join the metallic member to the cured composite matrix material structure.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.