In the field of composite materials, many reports have shown that catastrophic structural damage is caused by lightning strikes. In this study, new design concepts were proposed for the lightning-strike protection of nickel-coated glass/epoxy foam-core composites. Instead of using a neat metal mesh, glass fibers were modified with nickel particles via a plating technique to improve their thermal and electrical conductivities. In addition, a thin Invar plate was inserted at the middle of the structure and a foam core was introduced to reduce damage to the structure. Three models with different materials and stacking sequences were used in this study. Severe damage was experimentally observed following artificial lightning at a peak current of approximately 150 kA when considering a waveform A. Furthermore, numerical prediction was performed to identify the damage mechanisms of the structures. Besides the heat flux source, a mechanical source known as the shock wave overpressure was investigated separately as a new factor for dielectric materials. These two sources of lightning were determined as minor reasons for the structural damage. The failure modes were analyzed for further discussion about the failure mechanism in this study.
PeyrouBChazottesAEliasPQ, et al.Direct effects of lightning on aircraft structure: analysis of the thermal, electrical and mechanical constraints. Journal Aerospace Lab2012; 5: 1–15.
FeraboliPMillerM. Damage resistance and tolerance of carbon/epoxy composite coupons subjected to simulated lightning strike. Compos Appl Sci Manuf2009; 40: 954–967. DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2009.04.025.
7.
KumarVYokozekiTOkadaT, et al.Polyaniline-based all- polymeric adhesive layer: an effective lightning strike protection Technology for high residual mechanical strength of CFRPs. Compos Sci Technol2019; 172: 49–57. DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2019.01.006.
8.
KumarVSharmaSPathakA, et al.Interleaved MWCNT buckypaper between CFRP laminates to improve through-thickness electrical conductivity and reducing lightning strike damage. Compos Struct2019; 210: 581–589. DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2018.11.088.
9.
HiranoYKatsumataSIwahoriY, et al.Artificial lightning testing on graphite/epoxy composite laminate. Compos Appl Sci Manuf2010; 41: 1461–1470. DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2010.06.008.
10.
YinJJChangFLiSL, et al.Experimental and numerical simulation analysis of typical carbon woven fabric/epoxy laminates subjected to lightning strike. Appl Compos Mater2017; 24: 1353–1372. DOI: 10.1007/s10443-017-9588-6.
11.
LeeJLacyTEPittmanCU, et al.Numerical estimations of lightning-induced mechanical damage in carbon/epoxy composites using shock wave overpressure and equivalent air blast overpressure. Compos Struct2019; 224: 111039. DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2019.111039.
12.
LeeJLacy JrTEPittman JrCU. Coupled thermal electrical and mechanical lightning damage predictions to carbon/epoxy composites during arc channel shape expansion. Compos Struct2021; 255: 112912. DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112912.
13.
LeeJLacyTEPittmanCU. Lightning mechanical damage prediction in carbon/epoxy laminates using equivalent air blast overpressure. Compos B Eng2021; 212: 108649. DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesb.2021.108649.
HiranoYYokozekiTIshidaY, et al.Lightning damage suppression in a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer with a polyaniline-based conductive thermoset matrix. Compos Sci Technol2016; 127: 1–7. DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2016.02.022.
16.
GuoYXuYZhangL, et al.Implementation of fiberglass in carbon fiber composites as an isolation layer that enhances lightning strike protection. Compos Sci Technol2019; 174: 117–124. DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2019.02.023.
17.
LiYXueTLiR, et al.Influence of a fiberglass layer on the lightning strike damage response of CFRP laminates in the dry and hygrothermal environments. Compos Struct2018; 187: 179–189. DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2017.12.057.
18.
LinWWangYAiderY, et al.Analysis of damage modes of glass fiber composites subjected to simulated lightning strike impulse voltage puncture and direct high voltage AC puncture. J Compos Mater2020; 54(26): 4067–4080. DOI: 10.1177/0021998320927736.
19.
WangYZhupanskaOI. Lightning strike thermal damage model for glass fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites and its application to wind turbine blades. Compos Struct2015; 132: 1182–1191. DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2015.07.027.
20.
WangYZhupanskaOI. Modeling of thermal response and ablation in laminated glass fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites due to lightning strike. Appl Math Model2018; 53: 118–131. DOI: 10.1016/j.apm.2017.08.019.
21.
NamYWChoiJHLeeWJ, et al.Fabrication of a thin and lightweight microwave absorber containing Ni-coated glass fibers by electroless plating. Compos Sci Technol2017; 145: 165–172. DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2017.04.009.
22.
JangMSChoiJHJangWH, et al.Effects of dot-type electroless nickel plating on the mechanical properties of glass/epoxy used for radar-absorbing structures. Compos Struct2021; 257: 113165. DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.113165.
23.
YimYJHeoYJParkSJ. Effect of electroless nickel plating on electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of pitch-based carbon papers/epoxy composites. Funct Compos Struct2019; 1(3): 035001. DOI: 10.1088/2631-6331/ab25f7.
24.
JoSJungJEomK. Effect of a pre-deposited Ni layer on the hydrogen evolution performance of an electroplated Ni–P/CFP composite catalyst in acidic media. Funct Compos Struct2021; 3(3): 035001. DOI: 10.1088/2631-6331/ac1911.
25.
RehbeinJWierachPGriesT, et al.Improved electrical conductivity of NCF-reinforced CFRP for higher damage resistance to lightning strike. Compos Appl Sci Manuf2017; 100: 352–360. DOI: 10.1016/j.compositesa.2017.05.014.
26.
JangMSChoiJHJangWH, et al.Influence of lightning strikes on the structural performance of Ni-glass/epoxy radar-absorbing structures. Compos Struct2020; 245: 112301. DOI: 10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112301.
27.
JeongGWNohYHChoiWH, et al.Electromagnetic-mechanical repair patch of radar-absorbing structure with electroless nickel–plated glass fabric damaged by lightning strike. J Compos Mater2021; 55(7): 989–1002. DOI: 10.1177/0021998320961558.
28.
CastanieBBouvetCGinotM. Review of composite sandwich structure in aeronautic applications. Composites Part C: Open Access2020; 1: 100004. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcomc.2020.100004.
29.
ZarastvandMRGhassabiMTalebitootiR. A review approach for sound propagation prediction of plate constructions. Arch Comput Methods Eng2021; 28(4): 2817–2843. DOI: 10.1007/s11831-020-09482-6.
30.
ZarastvandMRGhassabiMTalebitootiR. Prediction of acoustic wave transmission features of the multilayered plate constructions: a review. Jnl of Sandwich Structures Materials2022; 24(1): 218–293. DOI: 10.1177/1099636221993891.
31.
Department of Defense Interface Standard. Electromagnetic environmental effects requirements for systems. MIL-STD-464C.Military Standards. 2010.
32.
AE-2 Lightning Committee. Aircraft lightning environment and related test waveforms. Arp 5412B, SAE International. Standards. 2013. DOI: 10.4271/ARP5412B.
33.
XiongJMLiLDaiHY, et al.The development of shock wave overpressure driven by channel expansion of high current impulse discharge arc. Phys Plasmas2018; 25(3): 032115. DOI: 10.1063/1.5013296.
34.
CoorayVRahmanM. On the relationship between the discharge current, energy dissipation and the NOx production in spark discharges. In: International conference on lightning and static electricity, 2005, pp. 19–23. PHE-44-1 (Seattle, Washington, USA).
35.
KavkaTMašlániAHrabovskýM, et al.Experimental study of the effect of gas nature on plasma arc cutting of mild steel. J Phys D Appl Phys2013; 46: 224011. DOI: 10.1088/0022-3727/46/22/224011.
36.
De TemmermanGDanielsJBystrovK, et al.Melt-layer motion and droplet ejection under divertor-relevant plasma conditions. Nucl Fusion2013; 53: 023008. DOI: 10.1088/0029-5515/53/2/023008.
37.
PereraCRahmanMFernandoM, et al.The relationship between current and channel diameter of 30 cm long laboratory sparks. J Electrost2012; 70: 512–516. DOI: 10.1016/j.elstat.2012.08.003.
38.
DharmasenaKPWadleyHNGXueZ, et al.Mechanical response of metallic honeycomb sandwich panel structures to high-intensity dynamic loading. Int J Impact Eng2008; 35: 1063–1074. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijimpeng.2007.06.008.
