The invention relates to a connecting element (4, 5), in particular a screw (4) or a nut (5), for mechanically connecting components (1, 2), the connecting element (4, 5) consisting at least partially of a material with a mechanical tensile strength of at least 350 MPa. According to the invention, the material of the connecting element (4, 4, 5, 8) has an electrical conductivity of at least 50% IACS. The invention also relates to a corresponding production method for a connecting element (4, 5) of this type.

A blind fastener system including a sleeve and, optionally, a core bolt insertable into the sleeve, wherein at least one of the sleeve and the core bolt includes a lubricious metallic coating containing at least one of tin, bismuth, indium and aluminum.

A fastener assembly for use with one or more workpieces. The fastener assembly can be a single-sided (i.e., blind) fastener assembly in which the fastener assembly is inaccessible from one side of the workpiece(s). In this regard, the workpiece(s) can make-up an enclosed component, for example. The fastener assembly can have a fastening end, such as a threaded stud, for securement with a distinct component that is otherwise detached from the fastener assembly. The workpiece(s) can be composed of a carbon fiber composite material, an aluminum material, or another type of material.

An electromagnetic effect suppressing termination part for a fastener formed of a metallic material, the fastener having a head, a shank, and a male threaded portion opposite the head, has a metallic core coated by a layer of dielectric material. An internal bore of the termination part includes an inner wall, a counterbore hole, and a cavity disposed therebetween. An outer surface includes an outer wall, and a frustoconical wall positioned proximally relative to the outer wall, the frustoconical wall extending radially outwardly from the outer wall and having an included angle of less than approximately 90 degrees. A seal is disposed in the counterbore hole, and the frustoconical wall is configured so that a compressive force applied to the frustoconical wall deforms the inner wall to conform to the male threaded portion of the fastener and deforms the seal to fill the cavity.

A method of applying a coating to a substrate includes ionic electrolytic plating a substrate submerged within an ionic liquid at ambient temperature, in ambient air, and at ambient pressure with aluminum. The ionic liquid includes imidazolium chloride compounds having aluminum chloride (AlCl.sub.3) and sodium dodecyl sulphate (C.sub.12H.sub.25NaO.sub.4S) in a mono ethylene glycol solution, and a deposition rate of the ionic electrolytic plating is controlled by a power supply within a temperature range between about 288 Kelvin (59? F.) to about 305 Kelvin (89? F.).

Disclosed herein is an adhering structure of different materials. The adhering structure can be used for integrally adhering a non-ferrous metal plate and a steel metal plate to each other. A tubular element is configured to penetrate through an adhesion hole of the non-ferrous metal plate and to support a surface of the steel metal plate. A welding part is formed in an internal hollow of the tubular element and includes an inner surface portion of the tubular element and forms a surface portion of the steel metal plate. The welding part is formed from a material that provides a molten pool of a filler metal during a welding process.

A system for assembling vehicle components includes a die assembly securing first and second vehicle components having first and second apertures, respectively. The die assembly positions the first and second vehicle components with the first and second apertures overlapping, and at least one of the first and second vehicle components including a polymeric material. The system further includes a joining component extending through the first and second apertures. The die assembly supports the joining component, and the joining component including a support shank and a moldable body at least partially encasing the support shank. The system also includes a punch member selectively engaging and deforming the moldable body of the joining component. The die assembly guides the moldable body into engagement with the first and second vehicle components, and the die assembly locates the support shank within at least one of the first and second apertures.

Methods and blind fasteners with EME protection are provided. A blind fastener comprises a shank having a bulb forming portion; a head; and an electromagnetic effects (EME) protection sealant positioned on at least one of the bulb forming portion of the shank or under the head.

A method of installing a fastener into a structure, comprising the steps of providing a fastener having a pin member including an elongated shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a cylindrical shank portion having an outer surface, a head located at the first end of the elongated shank, the head including a bearing surface located on the underside of the head, and a threaded portion located at the second end of the elongated shank and a seal element adapted to be positioned on the pin member such that the seal member is juxtaposed with the bearing surface of the head of the pin member; and installing the fastener into the structure in an installed position.

A pin member for a fastener includes an elongated shank having a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a cylindrical shank portion having an outer surface, a head located at the first end of the elongated shank, the head including a bearing surface located on the bearing surface of the head, and a threaded portion located at the second end of the elongated shank. The pin member can be fully coated with a coating. A conformable seal element is attached to the pin member, which is adapted to fill the microscopic voids between the bearing surface of the head of the pin member and the surrounding structure under the axial load exerted by the fastener during installation. The seal element can be separate and distinct from the pin member. The seal element can be attached to the pin member for the sake of convenience, but the seal element can deform independently of the pin member and the surrounding structure in response to the forces exerted by the fastener.