Patent ID: 8715435

Claim:
A method for modifying a composite article, comprising: positioning a plug comprising composite material at a site on the composite article, wherein the composite article comprises a first fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composite that includes a plurality of first fibers, the first fibers comprising silicon carbide, and wherein the plug comprises a second fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composite that includes a plurality of second fibers, the second fibers comprising silicon carbide; providing a shaft joined to the plug, the shaft having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the plug; rotating at least one of the plug and the article at a rate of speed sufficient to form an inertia bond between the plug and the site of the composite article; engaging the plug and the site to effect an inertia bond therebetween; wherein after the inertia bond is formed, transferring the rotational energy of the plug or the article to the smaller diameter of the shaft to shear the shaft from the plug.