Sealant articles and method of applying sealant

Abstract

A method of making an assembly is disclosed. According to the method, a curable sealant is applied to a metal surface of a first article, and the curable sealant and first article are stored under conditions to maintain the curable sealant in an at least partially uncured state. The method further includes contacting the curable sealant on the first article metal surface with an electrically conductive surface of a second article, and curing the curable sealant.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . An article, comprising a metal surface and a curable sealant in a solidified at least partially uncured state on the metal surface, disposed in an external storage environment under conditions to maintain the curable sealant in an at least partially uncured state, wherein the curable sealant can be returned to a fluid state. 
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the external storage environment is maintained at a temperature below a curing temperature of the curable sealant to maintain the curable sealant in an at least partially uncured state. 
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the article comprises a fastener component. 
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 18 , wherein the metal article surface comprises a washer face, a nut face, a wiring lug face, a bushing face, a bolt or screw head face, a nutplate face, a bolt or screw shaft or threads, a spacer, a pin, a rivet, a panel, or a support bracket. 
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the curable sealant comprises a curable polysulfide sealant, a curable epoxy sealant, a curable polyurethane sealant, or a curable silicone sealant. 
     
     
         21 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the external storage environment is an oxygen-free or reduced oxygen environment to maintain the curable sealant in an at least partially uncured state. 
     
     
         22 . The article of  claim 16 , wherein the external storage environment is a moisture-free or reduced moisture environment to maintain the curable sealant in an at least partially uncured state. 
     
     
         23 . The article of  claim 17 , wherein the external storage environment is maintained at a temperature less than or equal to 0° C. 
     
     
         24 . The article of  claim 17 , wherein the external storage environment is maintained at a temperature less than or equal to −25° C.