Patent ID: 8675335
Filing Date: 2014-03-18
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a fiber reinforced composite material component having an electrically conductive material surface layer into which an electrically conductive member is to be inserted, comprising: placing an electrically conductive member on a hard base tool presenting a tool face, laying up a fibrous material preform over the electrically conductive material, overlaying the fibrous preform with a flexible bagging blanket to form, with the fibrous preform, and the hard base tool, a sealed enclosure, injecting a liquid resin into the sealed enclosure for infusion into the fibrous preform, externally pressurizing the sealed enclosure and controlling the internal temperature thereof to cure the resin and form the component with the electrically conductive material layer at the surface thereof, and locating, in the region of the component intended to receive the electrically conductive member, beneath the surrounding surface of the preform adjacent the hard base tool, a part of the electrically conductive material such that upon subsequent drilling and countersinking of the composite material component, electrically conductive material is exposed in the countersunk recess of the component for electrical contact with the electrically conductive member upon insertion, whereby electrically conductive integrity is ensured between the electrically conductive layer and the electrically conductive member.