Lightning strike damage behavior of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy, bismaleimide, and polyetheretherketone composites

This study examined lightning strike damage to cross-ply carbon fiber reinforced epoxy (CF/epoxy), bismaleimide (CF/BMI), and polyetheretherketone (CF/PEEK) composite laminates to clarify the effects of the resin properties on lightning strike damage to CFRP laminates. Simulated lightning current (Component A) in accordance with SAE ARP 5412B was applied to each specimen. The maximum current was defined as 40 kA and 100 kA. The duration of impulse current T1/T2 was approximately 30/80 μs. Results show that CF/BMI and CF/PEEK sustained remarkably minor damage such as carbon fiber breakage, changes in color of matrix resin, and delamination on the front surface compared to CF/epoxy. Moreover, no remarkable delamination was observed inside CF/BMI or CF/PEEK. These experimentally obtained results indicate that the electrical conductivity and onset temperature of thermal decomposition, the char yield, the interlaminar fracture toughness and other material properties strongly affect lightning strike damage to CFRP laminates.