Title: Replacing Metal-Based Lightning Strike Protection Layer of CFRPS by 3D Printed Electronically Conductive Polymer Layer

Authors: Vipin Kumar, Tyler Smith, Justin C. Condon, Pritesh S. Yeole, Ahmed A. Hassen, and Vlastimil Kunc

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/c.19.0747

Abstract: Electrically conductive adhesive layers were deposited on top of aerospace grade carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) panels using a small-scale 3D printer. Polylactic acid (PLA) filaments with copper filler (CU-PLA) and graphene filler (GO-PLA) were used to print around 0.7 mm thick electrically conductive layer on top of CFRP panels. 3D printed polymeric layers were tested for their effectiveness as a lightning strike protection (LSP) material by subjected to a simulated lightning strike. A painted, electrically non-conductive unprotected panel was also tested for comparison. In the case of the CU-PLA protected sample, a high electrical conductivity proved to be useful in fast dissipation of the lightning current. Fast current dissipation helped to reduce the resistive heating after a lightning strike. Thermography and high-speed camera analysis were employed to study the heat generation and current dissipation during the lightning strike. These results established that a useful Faraday Cage was applied via additive manufacturing successfully. This work shows the successful application of 3D printing for producing LSP technologies, with future work aimed at investigating optimal printable electrically conductive thermoset material candidates.

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Conference: CAMX 2019

Publication Date: 2019/09/23

SKU: TP19-0747

Pages: 8

Price: $16.00