Carbon Fiber–Bismaleimide Composites Filled with Nickel-Coated Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Lightning-Strike Protection
(2527–2533)Advanced Functional Materials 21  #13 (2011)
Chakravarthi et al developed high-temperature bismaleimide (BMI)–carbon fiber composites filled with nickel-coated single-walled carbon nanotubes (Ni-SWNTs) based on three key factors: i) dispersion of Ni-SWNTs, ii) their surface coverage on the carbon plies and, iii) the composite surface resistivity. Atomic force microscopy analysis revealed that coating purified SWNTs with nickel enabled improved dispersion which resulted in uniform surface coverage on the carbon plies. The electrical resistivity of the baseline composite system was reduced by ten orders of magnitude by the addition of 4 wt% Ni-SWNTs (calculated with respect to the weight of a single carbon ply). Ni-SWNT–filled composites showed a reduced amount of damage to simulated lightning strike compared to their unfilled counterparts, as indicated by the minimal carbon fiber pull-out.  (RDC 7/5/2011)