Abstract An epoxy resin adhesive used in the bonding of metallic aircraft elements is reinforced with anodic material to provide the adhesive system with corrosion resistance. Where the adhesive system contains fiber reinforcement, such as glass or nylon, individual wires are inserted in the adhesive system, which wires have a tendency to disintegrate in a corrosive environment faster than will the interface between the metal and the adhesive. Where the adhesive system is unreinforced, an open mesh weave of metallic material is embedded in the adhesive system. The open mesh weave disintegrates much in the same manner as the individual wires, both systems tending to inhibit disintegration of the metal-adhesive interface.
A CORROSION RESISTANT JOINT FOR JOINING AT LEAST TWO STRUCTURAL METAL PARTS, COMPRISING METAL TO ADHESIVE INTERFACES, WHEREIN SAID ADHESIVE COMPRISES AN EPOXY RESIN CONTAINING A METAL REDUCING AGENT INTERPERSED WITHIN THE BODY OF SAID ADHESIVE SAID REDUCING AGENT COMPRISING A METAL HIGHER ON THE ELECTRONEGATIVITY SCALE THEN THE METALS BEING BONDED, SAID REDUCING AGENT BEING A SACRIFICIAL MATERIAL WHEREBY SAID MATERIAL SUBSTANTIALLY CORRODES PRIOR TO THE METALS ALONG THE INTERFACES THEREOF CORRODING.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
A CORROSION RESISTANT JOINT FOR JOINING AT LEAST TWO STRUCTURAL METAL PARTS, COMPRISING METAL TO ADHESIVE INTERFACES, WHEREIN SAID ADHESIVE COMPRISES AN EPOXY RESIN CONTAINING A METAL REDUCING AGENT INTERPERSED WITHIN THE BODY OF SAID ADHESIVE SAID REDUCING AGENT COMPRISING A METAL HIGHER ON THE ELECTRONEGATIVITY SCALE THEN THE METALS BEING BONDED, SAID REDUCING AGENT BEING A SACRIFICIAL MATERIAL WHEREBY SAID MATERIAL SUBSTANTIALLY CORRODES PRIOR TO THE METALS ALONG THE INTERFACES THEREOF CORRODING.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The joint of claim 1 wherein said reducing agent comprises an open mesh metal weave.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The joint of claim 1 wherein said reducing agent is located within the adhesive at the exterior terminus of the joints.