Method of isolating metallic fasteners in composite panels
View Patent ↗A method of isolating a metallic fastener from a carbon-fiber composite panel includes inserting the metallic fastener within an electrically isolating annular collar; inserting the metallic fastener and electrically isolating annular collar within a hole defined by the carbon-fiber composite panel; and securing the metallic fastener to the carbon-fiber composite panel. The annular collar may be circumferentially disposed about the metallic fastener such that the annular collar separates and electrically isolates the entire metallic fastener from the carbon-fiber composite panel. As such, the annular collar may minimize the galvanic reaction between the fastener and the carbon-fiber composite panel.
1. A method of isolating a metallic fastener from a carbon-fiber composite panel such that a galvanic reaction between the fastener and the carbon-fiber composite panel is minimized, wherein the metallic fastener includes a body portion, the method comprising:
inserting the metallic fastener within an electrically isolating annular collar such that the electrically isolating annular collar is circumferentially disposed about the metallic fastener,
wherein a portion of the annular collar extends beyond the body portion of the metallic fastener and wherein the metallic fastener defines a central bore extending completely through the metallic fastener;
inserting the metallic fastener and electrically isolating annular collar within a hole defined by the carbon-fiber composite panel such that a portion of the metallic fastener and the portion of the annular collar extending beyond the body portion of the metallic fastener are protruding from the panel; and
securing the metallic fastener to the carbon-fiber composite panel such that the annular collar separates and electrically isolates the entire metallic fastener from the carbon-fiber composite panel;
wherein the central bore extending completely through the metallic fastener remains open after the securing.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metallic fastener secures the composite panel to a second composite panel; and
wherein the electrically isolating annular collar separates and electrically isolates the metallic fastener from the second carbon-fiber composite panel.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electrically isolating annular collar includes a nylon material, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, or a Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the metallic fastener is a rivet.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein securing the metallic fastener to the carbon-fiber composite panel includes radially outwardly deforming the portion of the metallic fastener that is protruding from the carbon-fiber composite panel.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein securing the metallic fastener to the carbon-fiber composite panel includes radially outwardly deforming the portion of the metallic fastener that is protruding from the carbon-fiber composite panel.
7. A method of isolating a metallic fastener from a carbon-fiber composite panel such that the galvanic reaction between the fastener and the carbon-fiber composite panel is minimized, wherein the metallic fastener includes a body portion, the method comprising:
inserting the metallic fastener within an electrically isolating annular collar such that the electrically isolating annular collar is circumferentially disposed about the metallic fastener,
wherein a portion of the annular collar extends beyond the body portion of the metallic fastener and wherein the metallic fastener defines a central bore extending completely through the metallic fastener;
inserting the metallic fastener and electrically isolating annular collar within a hole defined by the carbon-fiber composite panel such that a portion of the metallic fastener and the portion of the annular collar extending beyond the body portion of the metallic fastener are protruding from the panel; and,
securing the protruding portion of the metallic fastener such that the protruding portion of metallic fastener is restrained from passing into the hole;
wherein the annular collar separates and electrically isolates the entire metallic fastener from the carbon-fiber composite panel; and,
wherein the central bore extending completely through the metallic fastener remains open after the securing.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the metallic fastener secures the composite panel to a second composite panel; and
wherein the electrically isolating annular collar separates and electrically isolates the metallic fastener from the second carbon-fiber composite panel.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the electrically isolating annular collar includes a nylon material, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, or a Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) material.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the metallic fastener is a rivet.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein securing the metallic fastener to the carbon-fiber composite panel includes radially outwardly deforming the portion of the metallic fastener.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein securing the metallic fastener to the carbon-fiber composite panel includes radially outwardly deforming the portion of the metallic fastener that is protruding from the carbon-fiber composite panel.