Abstract: A structural joint for the transmission and control of high current flows in a carbon fiber or carbon fiber hybrid composite structure, said joint including at least two composite structures comprising a multiplicity of resin bonded carbon fiber plies, an adhesive applied there between and capable of conducting high currents said adhesive comprising a conductive carrier film comprising carbon fibers, wherein the electrical conductivity of the adhesive is comparable with that of the adjacent composite structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of fastening an outer composite aircraft skin (12) to an inner substructure (14), which may be the wall of a fuel tank. The method includes the steps of incorporating an electrically conductive layer (26) in an outer surface of the outer composite skin (12), inserting a bolt (11) through the electrically conductive layer (26) and the outer composite skin (12) and through the inner substructure (14), securing the bolt (11) by means of a nut (22) directly or indirectly engaging the inner surface of the inner substructure (14), and applying insulating material (34) over the head (16) of the bolt.