A method for repairing a composite structure using pre-cured plugs. In accordance with one method, composite material is removed from a first composite laminate to form a cavity bounded by a tapered internal surface that extends from an opening at an outer mold line surface of the first composite laminate. In addition, a second composite laminate is machined to form a plug having a tapered surface. Then the plug is placed so that the tapered surface of the plug opposes the tapered internal surface of the first composite laminate. Thereafter, the tapered surface of the plug is bonded to the tapered internal surface of the first composite laminate. Optionally, a hole is drilled in the plug for receiving a fastener.

A method of redefining an opening in a composite component comprises filling the opening with a filling material, where the opening is defined in a body of the composite component and opens onto a surface defined by the composite component, and redefining the opening such that the opening extends into the body. Some methods comprise removing an existing coating from the surface of the composite component prior to filling the opening with the filling material and applying a new coating to the surface prior to redefining the opening such that the opening extends through the new coating and into the body. An exemplary composite component comprises a body, a surface with a coating thereon, an original opening defined through the body and filled with a filling material, and a new opening defined through the coating into the body, which may be defined at a new location from the original opening.

A method for repairing a damaged area of a stealth composite structure having a stealth function using a scarf patch includes the steps of diagnosing the damaged area; deriving a repair area including the diagnosed damaged area; processing the scarf patch according to the derived repair area; machining a patch hole according to the derived repair area to remove the damaged area; and coupling the scarf patch to the patch hole so that an inner wall of the patch hole and a side surface of the scarf patch face.

The disclosed embodiments relate to a method for repairing a damage to a thermoplastic composite element, in particular an aircraft component, wherein a socket is milled at the site of damage to the thermoplastic composite element. Then, in the socket a patch is formed from a thermosetting material containing a reinforcing phase of fabric layers and a matrix of thermosetting resin, the patch having a shape and size corresponding to the socket geometry. In the next step, the patch is cured, and finally the cured patch is glued into the socket by means of an adhesive.

Methods for repairing composite component voids are provided. For example, one method comprises locating a void in a composite component and subjecting the composite component to a process for repair. The process for repair includes creating a flow path through the void, applying a filler material to the composite component at the flow path, and processing the composite component having the filler material. In some embodiments, the flow path has a first opening on a first side of the composite component and a second opening on a second, opposite side of the composite component. In other embodiments, at least one portion of the flow path extends at a first angle with respect to a lateral direction defined by the CMC component, and at least another portion extends at a second angle with respect to the lateral direction.

Methods for repairing composite component voids are provided. For example, one method comprises locating a void in a composite component and subjecting the composite component to a process for repair. The process for repair includes creating a flow path through the void, applying a filler material to the composite component at the flow path, and processing the composite component having the filler material. In some embodiments, the flow path has a first opening on a first side of the composite component and a second opening on a second, opposite side of the composite component. In other embodiments, at least one portion of the flow path extends at a first angle with respect to a lateral direction defined by the CMC component, and at least another portion extends at a second angle with respect to the lateral direction.

An acoustic panel (200) for an aircraft nacelle (100) may comprise a perforated first skin (220), a second skin (230), and a core (210) sandwiched between them. A camera system (330) may scan a perforation pattern of a damaged portion (311) of the perforated first skin (220). The damaged portion (311) of the perforated first skin (220) may be removed. A replacement patch (660) may be formed. A CNC machine (450) may drill the replacement patch (660) according to the perforation pattern. The perforations (425) in the replacement patch (660) may be aligned with perforations (325) in the perforated first skin.

A ceramic matrix composite member including a ceramic matrix composite reinforced by ceramic fiber, includes a body portion and a joint portion joined integrally to the body portion, the joint portion occupying a part of a surface of the ceramic matrix composite member, wherein the body portion includes at least one hole extending toward an inside of the body portion from a boundary surface between the body portion and the joint portion, and the at least one hole is filled with a matrix of the ceramic matrix composite, wherein the body portion includes a first region where a density of the ceramic fiber is relatively high and a second region where the density of the ceramic fiber is lower than that in the first region, and wherein the at least one hole exists so as to cut off a part of bundles of the ceramic fiber in the second region.

A method for repairing a target member including a ceramic matrix composite reinforced by ceramic fiber includes: a removal step of removing at least a part of a surface of the target member; an arrangement step of arranging a green body for repair which includes the ceramic fiber on a portion where the surface is removed in the removal step; an impregnation step of impregnating at least the portion of the target member where the green body for repair is disposed with slurry; and a sintering step of sintering the target member on which the green body for repair is disposed, after the impregnation step.

An assembly to repair a thermoplastic composite. The assembly includes a heating device positioned on opposing sides of the thermoplastic composite. The heating device includes one or more susceptor with a Curie temperature to heat the thermoplastic composite. A pressure device applies a compressive force to the heating device. A pressure distribution device is positioned between the heating device and the thermoplastic composite. The pressure distribution device distributes the compressive force from the pressure device over areas of the opposing sides of thermoplastic composite.