A method for forming a composite part of a gas turbine engine. The method includes assembling the composite part of a first composite material and a second composite material. The second composite material defines an outer surface of the composite part, and is selected to be curable at a cure temperature generated by heat from operation of the engine. The first composite material is selected to have an operating temperature limit less than the cure temperature. The method includes placing the composite part within the engine so that, in use, the second composite material is cured by exposure to the heat generated from operation of the engine. The second composite material thermally shields the first composite material from the heat generated from operation of the engine. The method includes operating the engine to cure the second composite material.

A method for watertight welding, and components formed using that welding method, wherein the welding method includes providing a first component half with a groove and a protruding ridge located therein, providing a second component half with a tenon shaped to match the profile of the groove, disposing the tenon inside the groove such that the tenon contacts the protruding ridge, applying an ultrasonic power source near the groove to melt the protruding ridge, and applying opposing vertical force to the first component half relative to the second component half, such that the protruding ridge wedges in a bonding seam between an outside surface of the tenon and an inside surface of the groove.

A ultrasonic welding method of joining dissimilar-material workpieces, such as sheet materials, and the joined components formed thereby. The method includes applying ultrasonic energy to a thermoplastic piece to fill a hole of a dissimilar piece to form a weld point that is made up with polymer from the thermoplastic piece. In general, the geometry of the thermoplastic piece is not altered during the process. The dissimilar piece generally has a higher melting temperate and can be metal, thermoset polymers, or other thermoplastic material. The welded pieces can be arranged in a lap, laminate, or double lap configuration. In some embodiments, the hole of the dissimilar sheet material includes undercut features that improve the mechanical interlock between the dissimilar pieces. In some embodiments, the weld point has a mushroom cap to improve mechanical interlock.

A hollow punch rivet is described having a flange and a rivet section. Furthermore, a method for the attachment of individual components to one another using a punch rivet is described, with at least one of the components being formed by a material of the composite material. The method includes the following steps: a) arrangement of the die button against one of the two components to be secured to one another, which are placed on one another, wherein the die button has a bore which is dimensioned to receive the rivet section, b) carrying out a relative movement of the punch rivet with the free end of the rivet section to the fore towards the components arranged on one another and in the direction of the die button, c) piercing of the components with the free end of the rivet section and introduction of the rivet section into the bore of the die button until the component contact surface comes into contact and the component adjacent to the flange, d) using a plunger in order to dilate the punch rivet at least locally and e) forming a rivet bead by reshaping the free end region of the rivet section.

Disclosed is a method of resistance welding between composite articles. A conductive element is provided between faying surfaces, having a plurality of lower resistivity electrode portions spaced apart along the length of the contact area between the composite articles. The electrode portions can be used to spot weld across the electrode portions, and along a longitudinal portion of the conductive element between the electrode portions by application of an electrical current. Also disclosed are apparatus for use in the resistance welding methods and composite articles and structures and elements incorporating the conductive element.

A method for preparing a pre-bond surface of a composite structure includes the steps of: (1) separating a peel ply, co-cured with a composite substrate, from the composite substrate; and (2) transferring an identifiable marking agent from the peel ply to the composite substrate upon separation of the peel ply from the composite substrate. Residue of the peel ply, transferred from the peel ply to the composite substrate upon separation of the peel ply from the composite substrate, is layered on the identifiable marking agent.

A method for manufacturing an overhead storage compartment for an aircraft cabin, including providing a shell part extending between a first end and a second end, wherein the shell part has a first edge at the first end and a second edge at the second end. A first end wall and a second end wall are provided. The shell part and the first and second end walls are assembled, wherein the first edge is attached to the first end wall and the second edge is attached to the second end wall, such that the shell part, the first end wall and the second end wall together surround an interior space. An object, to provide a simple and fast method for manufacturing an overhead storage compartment, wherein possibly little handwork is required, is achieved in that the first end wall and/or the second end wall include an undirected long fiber reinforced plastic material.

A composite material is formed by irradiating a bonding position on a surface of the composite material with a laser to cause a reinforcing base member of the composite material, that is impregnated with a resin and onto which a bonding agent is applied, to be exposed and fluffed.

Piece comprising a first metal part and a second part in organic matrix composite material, wherein the first part has a first connecting portion and the second part has a second connecting portion, the second connecting portion having at least one through-hole, the second connecting portion being totally or partially sandwiched between the first connecting portion and a metal fastening element, the fastening element being fastened on the first part both onto the first connecting portion via the through-hole of the second connecting portion and onto a portion other than the first connecting portion, whereby the first part and the second part are fastened to each other.

The invention relates to a piece comprising a first metal part and a second part made of an organic matrix composite material, in which the first part has a first connecting portion and the second part has a second connecting portion, the second connecting portion having at least one blind hole, the second connecting portion being totally or partially sandwiched between the first connecting portion and a metal fastening element, the fastening element being fastened to the first part on a portion other than the first connecting portion and extending into the at least one blind hole, whereby the first part and the second part are fastened to one another.