the protective strip 12 to withstand impact conditions co curing an mle with a polymer matrix composite blade structure as described in the previously mentioned us patent application us 2011 0194941a1 to parkin et al is deemed unsuitable when employing the high strength materials of the present invention for the following reason since the coefficient of thermal expansion cte of the high strength materials for the mle is about 25 60 greater than that of titanium which has a cte of about 4 5 ppm u00b0 c a co cure operation with a polymer matrix composite laminate which has a cte of approximately 1 0 ppm u00b0 c would increase residual bond stresses that would be difficult to manage during operation of the system according to an aspect of the present invention a secondary cure operation prior curing of the polymer matrix composite blade being termed a primary cure is used to bond the protective strip 12 to the composite blade 10 allowing for a lower temperature cure and a more compliant adhesive layer between the protective strip 12 and the underlying composite material of the blade 10 for example the protective strip 12 can be attached to the composite blade 10 by means of an adhesive that can be cured at a relatively low temperature of about 200 250 u00b0 f about 93 121 u00b0 c using appropriate materials and processes adhesives suitable for forming.