Design Factors

As the application of composite aero structures has increased, the effect of lightning strike damage and the structural tolerance necessary to absorb this damage has required further test investigation. To enhance the damage tolerance capability of composite sandwhich structures used for commercial nacelle applications subjected to lightning strike effects, it has been an industry practice to use a series of external metal mesh products such as copper, aluminum, phosphorous bronze wire interwoven with carbon, nickel coated interwoven carbon fiber, and nickel coated non-woven veils. Certain configurations also employed various isolation materials, usually fiberglass. These protective materials have produced varying levels of post-strike damage results.