Abstract: An organogel composition and methods for preparing the organogel composition and preparing a surface with the organogel composition are disclosed. The organogel composition can include one or more organic solvents, one or more acrylates, and one or more functional additives. The method for preparing the organogel composition can include contacting the one or more organic solvents, the one or more acrylates, and the one or more functional additives with one another to prepare the organogel composition, and homogenizing the organogel composition to modify a shear viscosity of the organogel composition.

Abstract: A mechanical fastener system for EME protection, including at least one plated component, wherein the at least one plated component includes a base material, a bonding layer disposed over the base material, and a metal plating disposed over the bonding layer.

Abstract: Conductively coated fastening systems are disclosed herein. An apparatus includes a fastening system and a structural assembly. The structural assembly comprises a first structural element made of an electrically conductive fiber reinforced plastic and a second structural element. The first structural element comprises a first hole and the second structural element comprises a second hole. The first and second holes are separately pre-formed prior to assembly of the structural assembly. The structural assembly further comprises an electrically conductive gap filler applied to a first structural element sidewall of the first hole of the first structural element. The fastening system comprises a fastener comprising a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank is configured to be inserted into the first hole and the second hole.

Abstract: A containment apparatus for enclosing a metallic fastener extending through a structure includes a cap member. The cap member includes a first wall member which defines a first cavity and a first end. The first end defines a first opening providing access into the first cavity for at least a portion of the metallic fastener. The cap member further includes a second wall member secured to and extends from an exterior surface of the first wall member. The second wall member extends spaced apart from and along the first wall member to a first end. The second wall member surrounds the first wall member such that first wall member and second wall member form a second cavity positioned between the first wall member and the second wall member. The first end of the first wall member and the first end of the second wall member are coplanar with one another.

Abstract: A conductive fastening system, a fastened assembly, and a method of fastening an assembly composed of layers of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (“CFRP”) and/or metallic material includes fasteners with an electrically conductive coating and electrically conductive gap filler materials between the fasteners and sidewalls of holes formed through the layers of the assembly. The sidewalls of the holes are coated with the electrically conductive gap filler material by abrading, injection or spraying. The fasteners with the electrically conductive coating are inserted through the holes. The conductive coating on the fasteners and electrically conductive gap filler material work together to enhance electrical conductivity between the fastener and assembly. The conductive coating also acts as a lubricant to reduce the amount of force required to insert the fastener into the hole thereby reducing damage to the assembly.

Abstract: A cover that extends over a fastener and methods of installing the cover over the fastener. The cover includes an open end positioned at a member from which the fastener extends. The cover also includes a closed end that extends over the fastener and shields the fastener from the exterior environment that can be combustible. A plurality of holes extend through the cover from the interior space to an exterior environment external to the cap.

Abstract: Conductively coated fastening systems are disclosed herein. An apparatus includes a fastening system and a structural assembly. The structural assembly comprises a first structural element made of an electrically conductive fiber reinforced plastic and a second structural element. The first structural element comprises a first hole and the second structural element comprises a second hole. The first and second holes are separately pre-formed prior to assembly of the structural assembly. The structural assembly further comprises an electrically conductive gap filler applied to a first structural element sidewall of the first hole of the first structural element. The fastening system comprises a fastener comprising a head and a shank extending from the head. The shank is configured to be inserted into the first hole and the second hole.

Abstract: A mechanical fastener system for EME protection, including at least one plated component, wherein the at least one plated component includes a base material, a bonding layer disposed over the base material, and a metal plating disposed over the bonding layer.

Abstract: A cover that extends over a fastener and methods of installing the cover over the fastener. The cover includes an open end positioned at a member from which the fastener extends. The cover also includes a closed end that extends over the fastener and shields the fastener from the exterior environment that can be combustible. The cover includes an outer shell with one or more windows. An inner shell is positioned within the outer shell. The inner shell includes one or more windows that are offset from the windows of the outer shell. One or more flow paths extend through the windows for gas, liquid, and/or some particles to flow through the cover while removing the thermal and/or kinetic energy that may ignite the combustible exterior environment.

Abstract: An organogel composition and methods for preparing the organogel composition and preparing a surface with the organogel composition are disclosed. The organogel composition can include one or more organic solvents, one or more acrylates, and one or more functional additives. The method for preparing the organogel composition can include contacting the one or more organic solvents, the one or more acrylates, and the one or more functional additives with one another to prepare the organogel composition, and homogenizing the organogel composition to modify a shear viscosity of the organogel composition.

Abstract: An organogel composition and methods for preparing the organogel composition and preparing a surface with the organogel composition are disclosed. The organogel composition can include one or more organic solvents, one or more acrylates, and one or more functional additives. The method for preparing the organogel composition can include contacting the one or more organic solvents, the one or more acrylates, and the one or more functional additives with one another to prepare the organogel composition, and homogenizing the organogel composition to modify a shear viscosity of the organogel composition.

Abstract: An organogel composition and methods for preparing the organogel composition and preparing a surface with the organogel composition are disclosed. The organogel composition can include one or more organic solvents, one or more acrylates, and one or more functional additives. The method for preparing the organogel composition can include contacting the one or more organic solvents, the one or more acrylates, and the one or more functional additives with one another to prepare the organogel composition, and homogenizing the organogel composition to modify a shear viscosity of the organogel composition.

Abstract: A low viscosity polysulfide sealant composition. The composition comprises a curable polysulfide polymer; a crosslinking agent; and a plurality of core-shell particles. The core-shell particles comprise: a core comprising a ferromagnetic material; and a shell comprising silica treated with an organic sulfur containing compound. The shell is capable of bonding with the polysulfide polymer.

Abstract: A conductive fastening system, a fastened assembly, and a method of fastening an assembly composed of layers of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (“CFRP”) and/or metallic material includes fasteners with an electrically conductive coating and electrically conductive gap filler materials between the fasteners and sidewalls of holes formed through the layers of the assembly. The sidewalls of the holes are coated with the electrically conductive gap filler material by abrading, injection or spraying. The fasteners with the electrically conductive coating are inserted through the holes. The conductive coating on the fasteners and electrically conductive gap filler material work together to enhance electrical conductivity between the fastener and assembly. The conductive coating also acts as a lubricant to reduce the amount of force required to insert the fastener into the hole thereby reducing damage to the assembly.

Abstract: A containment apparatus for enclosing a metallic fastener extending through a structure includes a cap member. The cap member includes a first wall member which defines a first cavity and a first end. The first end defines a first opening providing access into the first cavity for at least a portion of the metallic fastener. The cap member further includes a second wall member secured to and extends from an exterior surface of the first wall member. The second wall member extends spaced apart from and along the first wall member to a first end. The second wall member surrounds the first wall member such that first wall member and second wall member form a second cavity positioned between the first wall member and the second wall member. The first end of the first wall member and the first end of the second wall member are coplanar with one another.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for injecting molten filler material into a hole. The method in accordance with one embodiment comprises: drilling a hole in a composite layer; heating filler material comprising an electrically conductive low-melting alloy to a molten state; inserting a nozzle having an internal channel system into the hole with a gap separating the nozzle and the hole; forcing molten filler material into, through and out of the internal channel system of the nozzle and into the gap; and retracting the nozzle from the hole. The nozzle may be rotary or not rotary.

Abstract: A cover that extends over a fastener and methods of installing the cover over the fastener. The cover includes an open end positioned at a member from which the fastener extends. The cover also includes a closed end that extends over the fastener and shields the fastener from the exterior environment that can be combustible. The cover includes an outer shell with one or more windows. An inner shell is positioned within the outer shell. The inner shell includes one or more windows that are offset from the windows of the outer shell. One or more flow paths extend through the windows for gas, liquid, and/or some particles to flow through the cover while removing the thermal and/or kinetic energy that may ignite the combustible exterior environment.

Abstract: A cover that extends over a fastener and methods of installing the cover over the fastener. The cover includes an open end positioned at a member from which the fastener extends. The cover also includes a closed end that extends over the fastener and shields the fastener from the exterior environment that can be combustible. A plurality of holes extend through the cover from the interior space to an exterior environment external to the cap.

Abstract: Ignition-quenching systems comprise an ignition-quenching cover configured to quench an ignition event in a combustible environment triggered by an ignition source associated with a fastener stack. The ignition-quenching cover comprises a porous body that is gas permeable and that has pores sized to quench ignition in the combustible environment. The ignition-quenching cover further comprises a cover attachment feature configured to mate with a fastener attachment feature of the fastener stack. The ignition-quenching cover is configured to cover the fastener stack, which may be associated with a potential ignition source that produces an ignition event in the combustible environment. The porous body may include one or more porous elements that may be formed of various polymeric, mesh, or fabric materials. The ignition-quenching cover may comprise a non-porous frame that is bonded to the porous body and that defines the cover attachment feature.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for injecting molten filler material into a hole. The method in accordance with one embodiment comprises: drilling a hole in a composite layer; heating filler material comprising an electrically conductive low-melting alloy to a molten state; inserting a nozzle having an internal channel system into the hole with a gap separating the nozzle and the hole; forcing molten filler material into, through and out of the internal channel system of the nozzle and into the gap; and retracting the nozzle from the hole. The nozzle may be rotary or not rotary.