Methods of forming metal foil ply replacement in composite structures

• Main Authors: LI EDWARD, PIEHL MARC J, WESTRE WILLARD N, SAGER ERIC, EVANS DAVID W
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 17.02.2009
• Subjects: AEROPLANES; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING; AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; BUILDING; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; COSMONAUTICS; ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; ELECTRICITY; FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; HELICOPTERS; LAYERED PRODUCTS; LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT ORNON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PRINTED CIRCUITS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDEDFOR; SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; TRANSPORTING; WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE, IN GENERAL

Laminate structures and methods for forming same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a laminate structure includes a metal-polymer composite lamina. The metal-polymer composite lamina has a first face and a second face spaced apart, and extends to a terminal edge. The lamina includes a ply of fiber-reinforced polymer that extends between the first face and the second face and has an interior edge. The interior edge defines at least one cutout. A ply of metal foil extends between the first face and the second face substantially from the interior edge filling the at least one cutout.