Fabrication and installation of preformed dielectric inserts for lightning strike protection

摘要

A fabrication method for providing a relatively smooth surface associated with lightning strike protection for composite materials (14) joined with fasteners (10) recessed below the surface (12) is described. The method includes coating at least one of a head (16) of the fastener and a preformed dielectric insert (50) with an adhesive (30), inserting the preformed dielectric insert into the recess such that the adhesive engages both contours of the recess and the preformed dielectric insert, and removing any excess adhesive from the surface area of the composite material and a top surface of the insert.