Abstract: A pair of thermoset composite structures (19,19') are bonded together by a pair of adhesive strips (10,10'). An adhesive strip (10) is comprised of a layer of semi-crystalline thermoplastic material (12), a layer of amorphous thermoplastic material (14), a layer of dry fiber reinforcement (16) partially embedded in the layer of amorphous thermoplastic material (14), and a layer of thermosetting resin (18) covering the exposed fibers of the dry fiber reinforcement. An adhesive strip is bonded to the bonding surface (20) of the structure (19) during the curing process for the thermoset composite structure. A resistance heating element is placed between the bonding surfaces (20,20'), the bonding surfaces (20,20') are pressed together, and electrical energy is passed through the heating element (24) to heat the joint and fuse the thermoplastic adhesive layers together.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 16, 1992
Date of Patent:
April 19, 1994
Assignee:
United Technologies Corporation
Inventors:
Gary J. Jacaruso, Geoffrey C. Davis, Allen J. McIntire