Patent attributes
Methods of bonding first structures to second structures are disclosed wherein the first and second structures are fabricated materials having different physical characteristics. For example, the first structure may be a composite fan blade and the second structure may be a composite or metallic rotor, both for use in gas turbine engines. The method includes providing the first and second structures and plating or otherwise coating a portion of the first structure with a metal to provide a metal-coated portion. The method includes applying at least one intermediate material onto the metal-coated portion of the first structure. The method further includes bonding the metal-coated portion of the first structure and the intermediate material to the second structure. The bonding is carried out using a relatively low-temperature process, such as liquid phase bonding, including TLP and PTLP bonding. Brazing is also a suitable technique, depending on the materials chosen for the first and second structures.