Mechanical Damage to Aircraft Structures from Lightning Strikes

Abstract

The various types of current waveforms associated with lightning discharges are discussed together with their relevance to different areas of the aircraft structures. The physical damage that could be sustained by aircraft material due to lightning strikes, in particular the damage to composite material especially carbon fibre, is described. This damage is primarily due to the very fast heating and impulsive forces which lightning currents can produce. Minimum cross-sectional areas required to carry these currents safely are discussed as well as the effect of moisture content and loading the samples during test for the case of carbon fibre composite material. Details of the effects of arc attachment to various composite materials and also metal with the degree and type of damage that can be produced are reviewed.