Method for Producing a Surface Structure with Lightning Protection, and Surface Structure Which Can be Produced in This Way

A method for producing a surface structure having a lightning strike protective system, said method comprising the steps:

• a) providing a support structure of a fiber-reinforced composite material;
• b) applying an arrangement of electrically conductive particles as the lightning triggering elements onto the support structure in such a manner that the electrically conductive particles adhere in a fixed position in a particular arrangement and distribution on the support structure, in order to form an arrangement of a lightning strike protective material from or with a conductive material;
• c) applying a cover material in such a way that it embeds the arrangement of the lightning strike protective material that is held securely in its position on the support structure;
• and
• d) solidifying the applied cover material,
• wherein the electrically conductive particles are fixed in position on the support structure prior to embedding in the cover material.

A method of manufacturing a component of an aircraft, the component having a surface structure with a lightning strike protective system, the method comprising the steps:

• a) providing a support structure of a fiber-reinforced composite material;
• b) applying an arrangement of electrically conductive particles as the lightning triggering elements onto the support structure in such a manner that the electrically conductive particles adhere in a fixed position in a particular arrangement and distribution on the support structure, in order to form an arrangement of a lightning strike protective material from or with a conductive material;
• c) applying a cover material in such a way that it embeds the arrangement of the lightning strike protective material that is held securely in its position on the support structure;
• and
• d) solidifying the applied cover material,
• wherein the electrically conductive particles are fixed in position on the support structure prior to embedding in the cover material, and the surface structure is of the component of the aircraft.

An aircraft component with a surface structure having a lighting strike protective system, the surface structure comprising:

• a support structure of a fiber-reinforced composite material;
• an arrangement of electrically conductive particles as the lightning triggering elements applied onto the support structure in such a manner that the electrically conductive particles adhere in a fixed position in a particular arrangement and distribution on the support structure, in order to form an arrangement of a lightning strike protective material from or with a conductive material;
• and
• a cover material applied to the arrangement of electrically conductive particles in such a way that it embeds the arrangement of the lightning strike protective material that is held securely in its position on the support structure,
• wherein the cover material is solidified and wherein the electrically conductive particles are fixed in position on the support structure prior to embedding in the cover material.