Effect of through-thickness electrical conductivity of CFRPs on lightning strike damages. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, Vipin; Yokozeki, Tomohiro; Okada, Takao; Hirano, Yoshiyasu; Goto, Teruya; Takahashi, Tatsuhiro; Ogasawara, Toshio
• Is Part Of: Composites. Volume 114(2018)
• Page Start: 429
• Page End: 438
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: Polyaniline -- CFRP -- Lightning strike protection -- Multifunctional composites; Composite materials -- Periodicals; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Composite materials; Manufacturing processes; Periodicals; 620.11805
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2018.09.007
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-835X

Abstract

Abstract: Making carbon fiber reinforced plastics electrically conductive is an amended solution to the current lightning strike protection technology. However, optimization of the through-thickness electrical conductivity to meet a safety requirement of aircraft against lightning strikes remains unexplored. In this work, four carbon fiber reinforced plastics panels with different through-thickness electrical conductivity were fabricated using a polyaniline-based conductive resin. Their through-thickness electrical conductivity was tailored to achieve specific values using a controlled thermal treatment. The fabricated carbon fiber reinforced plastics panels were tested against a simulated lightning current of 40 kA, and the influence of through-thickness electrical properties on the performance of lightning strike protection was studied. Thermography data and ultrasonic non-destructive testing images confirmed least damage on the sample with higher electrical conductivity. Specimen with through-thickness electrical conductivity of around 110 S/m was able to retain about 92% of the residual flexural strength after the lightning test.