Lightning strike protection for composite components
AssigneeRohr, Inc.
InventorsTeresa M. Kruckenberg, Vijay V. Pujar
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Abstract
Systems and methods for lightning strike materials are disclosed. The material may include a carbon fiber tow. Carbon nanotubes may be grown on carbon fibers within the carbon fiber tow. The carbon nanotubes may cause the carbon fibers to separate, decreasing a carbon tow fiber volume fraction of the tow. The growth of the carbon nanotubes may be controlled to select a tow fiber volume fraction of the tow. The lightning strike material may transmit electricity to decrease damage to the composite structure in case of a lightning strike.
Claims15
A fiber reinforced composite structure comprising a composite ply, wherein the composite ply comprises a fiber tow in a resin matrix, wherein the fiber tow comprises a plurality of fibers and carbon nanotubes grown on the plurality of fibers, wherein the carbon nanotubes are located in an intratow region between the plurality of fibers, and wherein the fiber tow comprises a tow fiber volume fraction of less than 45%.
A method of manufacturing a composite material, the method comprising:
- growing carbon nanotubes on fibers in an intratow region within a fiber tow;
- and
- controlling growth of the carbon nanotubes to reach a selected tow fiber volume fraction that is substantially uniform throughout the fiber tow.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.