Dual conductive network of nickel‐coated carbon fiber woven fabric for indirect and direct lightning strike protection of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites

Abstract

In this study, a dual conductive network of nickel-coated carbon fiber woven fabrics (Ni-CFWF) was presented for indirect and direct lightning strike protection (LSP) of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. The Ni-CFWF prepared by electroless plating was bonded to the top surface of a CFRP composite. Excellent electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of Ni-CFWF/CFRP composite was achieved with a value of 92.87 dB in the frequency range 8.2-12.4 GHz, 189.22% greater than that of the pristine CFRP composite. Moreover, the prepared Ni-CFWF also exhibited a good direct lightning strike (LS) protection performance. The maximum LS damage depth and area of the Ni-CFWF/CFRP composites were reduced by 21.59% and 6.11% under a simulated lightning current with the peak of 100 kA, respectively. Correspondingly, the residual strength of the Ni-CFWF/CFRP composites was maintained at 92.65% after LS, demonstrated the LSP effectiveness. Our work provides an effective strategy for the design of a protective system that considers both indirect and direct LSP.

Effect of carbon fiber and thermoplastic resin on laminates under lightning and dielectric strength tests

“…Recently, studies on CF reinforced plastics demonstrated that increasing their matrix conductive reduced the lightning damage. [13][14][15][16] When CF is incorporated in the blade structure they either have to be insulated from the LPS (i.e., through paint/gel coat and GF laminates 17 ) or, alternatively, be connected to it. 5 Insulation of CF from the LPS does not guarantee that secondary lightning can flow through the CF.…”

“…Several lightning studies were performed on CF laminates with thermoset resin. 7,[13][14][15][16][17] However, there is no information on the behavior of them with thermoplastic resin or on earth terminals embedded in CF laminates in lightning scenarios. The dielectric strength of CF laminates is also unknown.…”

Frequency‐selective electromagnetic interference shielding carbon spacer yarn fabric/polyurethane foam composites

“…Carbon fiber is a type of engineering material that is widely used in polymer‐based composites. [ 8–15 ] To meet the complex application requirements, multifunctional carbon fabric EMI shielding composites has attracted great attention. [ 16–18 ] Comparing to the other types of EMI shielding materials (such as metal, conductive polymer, conductive polymer composites), carbon fabric‐reinforced composites could implement EMI shielding, high strength, and low density simultaneously.…”

Thermal cycling of strained nickel‐coated glass‐epoxy composite laminates: Effects on macro mechanical and fiber‐matrix interface properties

“…[19,22] Ni-coated carbon-fiber polymer composites have been previously used in electrothermal heating, thereby demonstrating the potential for use in aircraft de-icing systems. [23][24][25] Additionally, the performance of nickelcoated glass-fiber [26] and carbon-fiber [27] polymer composites when struck by lightning has been investigated; initial results show that Ni-coated glass-fibers alone are insufficient to offer adequate lightning strike protection. Chakravarthi et al [28] reported that the addition of 4 wt% Ni-coated single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) filler to carbon-bismaleimide (BMI) polymer composite reduced electrical resistivity tenfold and demonstrated by simulation a resulting reduced lightning strike damage area.…”