Patent ID: 7087296

Claim:
A bolted or riveted mechanically fastened composite structural joint, comprising: (a) a substrate material having a fastener hole; (b) a multi-layered composite having a fastener hole, and (c) a bolt or rivet fastener disposed within the fastener holes of the substrate and composite materials to secure the materials together; said multi-layered composite further including: (i) a pair of resin-impregnated, fiber-containing layers, having a first toughness; (ii) a fiber-containing core layer having a second, greater toughness than said pair of resin-impregnated fiber-containing layers, said fiber-containing core layer sandwiched between said pair of resin-impregnated, fiber-containing layers, wherein said pair of resin-impregnated, fiber-containing layers are laminated to said fiber-containing core layer; and (iii) a polyolefin adhesive web disposed between said fiber-containing core layer and each of said pair of resin-impregnated fiber-containing layers; said composite joint having improved resistance to damage caused by externally applied forces; wherein said fiber-containing core layer contains no matrix resin.