aircraft

Haydale Composite Solutions (HCS) has joined an aerospace research project in the UK, to develop a composite material capable of withstanding an aircraft lightning strike.

Awarded and managed by the National Aerospace Technology Exploitation Programme (NATEP), the 18-month research project is a collaboration between Cobham, SHD Composites and HCS.

The project is supported by a grant of up to £150,000 from the NATEP.

Participants will develop highly electrically conductive epoxy resins using alternate forms of graphene, to create a highly conductive carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composite material. HCS’ HDPlas process will be used to develop resins.

The new composite material will help eliminate metallic meshes to create safer aircraft, while reducing weight and costs.

"[This] is a most important development for composite engineers and could lead to a whole new generation of graphene-enhanced composite materials."

HCS managing director Gerry Boyce said: "The ability to add graphene to change one of the fundamental characteristics of the base resin, in this case, electrical conductivity, is a most important development for composite engineers and could lead to a whole new generation of graphene-enhanced composite materials.

"We are very excited about developing highly conductive carbon fibre reinforced epoxy composite materials and structures, which require no additional parasitic lightning strike protection."

Implemented by the UK’s Aerospace Growth Partnership, NATEP is a £40m programme designed to help supply chain companies develop new technologies for adding value to future aerospace products and services.

NATEP includes £23m from the government department responsible for business, and leading aerospace firms such as Airbus, Bombardier, GKN Aerospace, Rolls-Royce and Spirit.

Image: An aeroplane flying over the sea. Photo: courtesy of satit_srihin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.