Metal mesh with a low electrical resistance conversion coating for use with aircraft structures

Abstract

A gasket is provided with a tacky polyurethane or polyurea gel body and a metallic mesh skeleton where the skeleton has been coated with a conversion coating. The conversion coating helps reduce corrosion in the gasket and corrosion on the parts that place the gasket under compression, especially where an environment conducive to galvanic corrosion is present. This gasket may then be used in assemblies which include aircraft parts, which parts may be subject to extreme environmental conditions.

1 . An assembly of aircraft parts comprising:
 a first metal part having a first surface;   a second metal part having a second surface;   a multiplicity of fasteners for engaging the two metal parts; a gasket comprising a body comprising an elastomeric polymer; and   a metal skeleton encapsulated by the body of the gasket; wherein the metal skeleton includes a conversion coating on an outer surface thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the two parts comprise an aircraft antenna and an aircraft skin. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the two parts comprise an aircraft fuel door surround and an aircraft fuel door. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the conversion coating has chromium. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the chromium comprises a chromate anion. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 4  wherein the chromium comprises of chromite. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the two metal parts are compressed sufficiently on the gasket to contact the outer surface of the skeleton. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the resistance of the metal skeleton with the conversion coating is less than 2.50 milliohms. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the metal skeleton is flexible aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the metal skeleton is woven. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the conversion coating is electrically conductive and inhibits galvanic corrosion. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the metal skeleton is copper. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the metal skeleton is nickel. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the metal skeleton is die cut. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the metal skeleton is aluminum or aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first or second metal parts is aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the metal skeleton is aluminum or aluminum alloy and wherein at least one of the first or second metal parts is aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         18 . An assembly of aircraft parts comprising:
 a first metal part having a first surface;   a second metal part having a second surface;   a multiplicity of fasteners for engaging the two metal parts; a gasket comprising a body comprising an elastomeric polymer; and   a metal skeleton encapsulated by the body of the gasket; wherein the metal skeleton includes a conversion coating on an outer surface thereof, and   wherein the two parts comprise an aircraft antenna and an aircraft skin, and   wherein the metal skeleton is aluminum or aluminum alloy, and   wherein at least one of the first or second metal parts is aluminum alloy.   
     
     
         19 . An assembly of aircraft parts comprising:
 a first metal part having a first surface;   a second metal part having a second surface;   a multiplicity of fasteners for engaging the two metal parts; a gasket comprising a body comprising an elastomeric polymer; and   a metal skeleton encapsulated by the body of the gasket; wherein the metal skeleton includes a conversion coating on an outer surface thereof, and   wherein the two parts comprise an aircraft fuel door surround and an aircraft fuel door, and   wherein the metal skeleton is aluminum or aluminum alloy, and   wherein at least one of the first or second metal parts is aluminum alloy.