Composite reinforcement of metallic structural elements

Abstract

A selectively reinforced hybrid metal-composite structural element can include a metal element and a composite material. The composite material can be bonded to the metal element by an adhesive layer including a polymer matrix using a radiation curing process, resulting in insubstantial or negligible residual stresses at the bond line between the metal element and the composite element. The structural element also can include a metal closeout cap to provide a barrier from a corrosive atmosphere, and the adhesive layer can encapsulate the composite element to provide a corrosion-resistant barrier between the composite element and the surrounding metal.

1 . A reinforced hybrid structural element, comprising: 
 a metal element; and    a composite ply bonded to the metal element using radiation.    
   
   
       2 . The structural element of  claim 1 , further including an adhesive layer at least partially cured using radiation, wherein the adhesive layer bonds the composite ply to the metal element.  
   
   
       3 . The structural element of  claim 2 , wherein the adhesive layer includes a polymer matrix.  
   
   
       4 . The structural element of  claim 2 , wherein the adhesive layer includes a plurality of glass fibers.  
   
   
       5 . The structural element of  claim 2 , wherein the adhesive layer encapsulates the composite ply in order to form a corrosion-resistant barrier between the metal element and the composite ply.  
   
   
       6 . The structural element of  claim 1 , wherein the composite ply is at least partially cured using radiation.  
   
   
       7 . The structural element of  claim 1 , wherein the composite ply is located at a high-stress area of a structural element cross section under a loading type which the structural element is designed to carry.  
   
   
       8 . The structural element of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation is an electron beam.  
   
   
       9 . The structural element of  claim 1 , wherein the composite ply includes a plurality of reinforcing fibers having a general fiber orientation that is substantially aligned in a direction of a loading which the structural element is designed to carry.  
   
   
       10 . The structural element of  claim 1 , wherein the metal element includes at least one metal chosen from the following: aluminum, titanium and iron.  
   
   
       11 . The structural element of  claim 1 , wherein the structural element further comprises an I-beam.  
   
   
       12 . The structural element of  claim 1 , wherein the structural element further comprises a seat track configured to support an airplane seat.  
   
   
       13 . A method of manufacturing a reinforced hybrid structural element, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a metal element;    laying up a composite ply over at least a partial surface of the metal element; and    at least partially curing a polymer matrix using radiation in order to bond the composite ply to the metal element.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of placing an adhesive layer over at least the partial surface of the metal element, wherein the adhesive layer includes the polymer matrix and the step of laying up further includes laying up the composite ply over the adhesive layer.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of encapsulating the composite ply with the adhesive layer in order to form a corrosion-resistant barrier between the composite ply and the metal element.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of placing further includes placing a plurality of glass fibers over at least the partial surface of the metal element.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of curing further includes maintaining a temperature at an interface between the metal element and the polymer matrix within 75 degrees Celsius (approximately 135 degrees Fahrenheit) of a design application temperature.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of curing further includes maintaining a temperature at an interface between the metal element and the polymer matrix below 120 degrees Celsius (approximately 248 degrees Fahrenheit).  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of curing further includes actively cooling the structural element.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of at least partially curing the composite ply using radiation.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of curing further includes using an electron beam.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of removing a portion of the metal element in order to create a space for the composite ply.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of laying up further includes locating the composite ply at a high-stress area of a structural element cross section under a loading type which the structural element is designed to carry.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of laying up further includes: 
 laying up a resin and a plurality of reinforcing fibers, wherein the reinforcing fibers have a general fiber orientation; and    substantially aligning the fiber orientation in a direction of a loading which the structural element is designed to carry.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the step of laying up further includes laying up a precured composite ply.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of overlaying the composite ply with a metal closeout cap in order to protect the composite ply from a corrosive environment.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the metal element includes at least one metal chosen from the following: aluminum, titanium and iron.  
   
   
       28 . A reinforced hybrid structural element, comprising: 
 a metal element;    a composite ply; and    means for bonding the composite ply to the metal element, wherein the means for bonding is at least partially cured using radiation.