Testing of Conductive Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Composites Using Current Impulses Simulating Lightning Effects

Kamil Filik, Grzegorz Karnas, Grzegorz Masłowski, Mariusz Oleksy, Rafał Oliwa and Katarzyna Bulanda
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Kamil Filik: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Fundamentals, Rzeszow University of Technology, ul. W. Pola 2, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Grzegorz Karnas: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Fundamentals, Rzeszow University of Technology, ul. W. Pola 2, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Grzegorz Masłowski: Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Fundamentals, Rzeszow University of Technology, ul. W. Pola 2, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Mariusz Oleksy: Department of Polymer Composites, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Rafał Oliwa: Department of Polymer Composites, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
Katarzyna Bulanda: Department of Polymer Composites, Rzeszow University of Technology, Al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 23, 1-13

Abstract: Carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites are lightweight and an increasingly used material with good mechanical properties. In the aviation industry, they are also required to have specific electrical properties that guarantee resistance to the direct and indirect lightning effects. The paper is focused on the description of a test stand and development of a method used to determine the electrical characteristics of conductive CFRP laminate samples with the use of high current impulses of lightning nature. Samples of three laminates (square format with side 30 × 30 cm) with a different composition were tested on the constructed stand, confirming the possibility of characterizing this type of laminate sample in terms of electrical conductivity and resistance to the effects of lightning current. It was possible to observe the impulse current flow (with a peak value up to 15 kA and a rise time above 6 µs) from the high voltage electrode placed in the center of the sample in all directions towards the edge. The optical fiber measuring system was used to record the voltage and current time waveforms. The energy stored in the impulse current generator was sufficient to simulate the mechanical damage, such as burnout and delamination, that accompanies the direct lightning strike to structural elements made of CFRP. The influence of the matrix composition used for laminate fabrication on the test results describing the electrical properties of the tested CFRP samples was noted. The experimental setup allows the testing of specimens with a maximum width and length of 50 × 50 cm and any thickness with a peak current of up to 50 kA.

Keywords: lightning effects; impulse current generator; CFRP composites; conductivity; damage tests; aircraft materials (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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