Composite materials
AssigneeHexcel Composites Limited
InventorsJohn L. Cawse, Martin Simmons, George Green
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A composite material, the composite material comprising at least one prepreg, said prepreg comprising at least one polymeric resin and at least one fibrous reinforcement; and conducting particles dispersed in the polymeric resin.
Claims26
An interleaf composite material which is curable to form a panel that is not penetrated by a lightning strike, said composite material comprising:
- at least four conductive fibrous layers comprising a plurality of electrically conductive fibers;
- electrically insulating resin layers located between said conductive fibrous layers, said electrically insulating resin layers comprising a resin formulation comprising a polymeric resin;
- and
- conductive bridges that extend across said electrically insulating resin layers to provide electrical connections between said conductive fibrous layers wherein said conductive bridges consist essentially of a single electrically conductive particle and wherein the number of said electrically conductive bridges is sufficient to prevent penetration of said composite material by a lightning strike once said interleaf composite material has been cured to form said panel.
A method for making an interleaf composite material which is curable to form a panel that is not penetrated by a lightning strike, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing at least four conductive fibrous layers comprising a plurality of electrically conductive fibers;
- providing electrically insulating resin layers located between said conductive fibrous layers, said resin layers comprising a resin formulation comprising a polymeric resin;
- and
- forming conductive bridges extending across said resin layers to provide an electrical connection between said conductive fibrous layers wherein said conductive bridges consist essentially of a single electrically conductive particle and wherein the number of said electrically conductive bridges is sufficient to prevent penetration of said interleaf composite material by a lightning strike once said interleaf composite material has been cured to form said panel.
A prepreg for use in making an interleaf composite material comprising electrically insulating resin interleaf layers located between at least four layers of electrically conductive fibers, said interleaf composite material being curable to form a panel that is not penetrated by a lightning strike, said prepreg comprising:
- a conductive fibrous layer comprising a plurality of electrically conductive fibers;
- a resin layer located on one or both sides of said conductive fibrous layer, said resin layer comprising a polymeric resin and electrically conductive particles, wherein said electrically conductive particles are of a sufficient size to extend across said resin interleaf layers to provide conductive bridges across said resin interleaf layers to thereby provide electrical connections between said layers of electrically conductive fibers when said interleaf composite material is formed and wherein the number of said electrically conductive bridges is sufficient to prevent penetration of said interleaf composite material by a lightning strike once said interleaf composite material has been cured to form said panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.