Abstract: A method of bonding a laminated porous sheath to a cast strut includes the step of performing a compressible pad to have a plurality of closely spaced grooves on one surface thereon and a plurality of spaced apart lands on the opposite face thereof; locating a preformed porous laminate sheath over the outer surface of a cast strut and laser welding it thereto and thereafter assembling the preformed compressible pad to locate the plurality of grooves thereon in overlying relationship to a plurality of airflow openings in the porous laminated sheath and with ribs on either side of the grooves being located in juxtaposed relationship with the outer surface of the porous laminated sheath for uniformly distributing a load thereto; locating the preassembled casting, sheath and compressible pad within a contoured opening formed by a three piece pressure block fixture and applying a predetermined pressure to the assembled parts while subjecting them to a predetermined bond temperature while applying a vacuum.