Study of carbon nanotubes/ short carbon fiber nanocomposites for lightning strike protection

摘要

Currently aircraft structural composites are commonly protected using approaches such as laying of metallic meshes and foils. However, these are not ideal solutions because they add significant weight and may be difficult to repair. In this paper, we used multi-walled carbon nanotubes(MWNTs) and short carbon fiber(SCF) as reinforcement, and epoxy resin as matrix, prepared conductive nanocomposites for lightning protection of aircraft. MWNTs and SCF as conductive filler, they via acidification and surface treatment, mechanical milling, ultrasonic dispersion method, the CNTs/SCF Epoxy (EP) conductive nanocomposites were prepared by casting method. The characterizations of materials microstructure, electrical and mechanical properties were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), resistance instrument, and tensile test machine and indentation experiments. Result proved that surface treatment carbon nanotubes and short carbon fiber can be evenly spread over the epoxy matrix, and form three-dimensional conductive network in the epoxy matrix. This makes the resistance of composite materials greatly reduced, improved conductive performance. The characterization of materials mechanical properties also showed that the addition of nano-conductive filler, but also significantly enhanced the material elastic modulus and hardness.