Novel Lightning Strike-Protected Polymeric Composite for Future Generation Aviation

© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers. This investigation demonstrates the deposition of copper and titanium nitride on a polymeric composite using physical vapor deposition (PVD) to increase the thermoelectrical properties of the composite. The physicothermal characteristics of the polymeric composite and conductive polymeric composite were characterized using field electron scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Electrical conductivity of the basic and conductive composites was determined using the four-probe method of resistivity measurement. It was observed that thermal properties and electrical conductivity of the composite increased significantly due to the coper and titanium nitride deposition. The basic and conductive polymeric composite were subjected to high current and temperature to simulate the effect of a lightning strike. It was observed that there is a severe damage to the basic polymeric composite compared to the conductive polymeric composite, resulting in significant deterioration of mechanical properties.