Patent ID: 7611595
Filing Date: 2009-11-03
Classification: B23K

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating a joint, comprising: (a) providing a preform having a base and two legs defining between them a slot, the preform being formed of a woven fiber composite material; (b) joining a composite member to the base of the preform; (c) providing an aluminum member having two oppositely-facing sides, (d) adhering a single layer of titanium to each of the sides of the aluminum member to form a sub assembly; and (e) bonding the sub-assembly in the slot of the preform with the titanium being between the legs of the preform and the aluminum member and separating the aluminum member from contact with the preform, the titanium having a coefficient of thermal expansion that is similar to that of the preform to reduce a risk of separation therebetween when subjected to thermal stresses, such that the titanium acts as a ductile layer to absorb a greater thermal expansion of the aluminum member against a lesser thermal expansion of the composite member as thermal energy is applied thereto.