Lightweight magnetic composites for aircraft applications

Carbon fibers/polymer matrix composites tend to be used more widely instead of aluminum structures in the aircraft and aerospace industry. There are many reasons that explain the increasing interest for this class of composites due to the lightweight, high strength, high stiffness, good fatigue life, excellent corrosion resistance and low cost manufacturing. Moreover, a considerable effort is paid to improve the thermal/electrical conductivity and the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness of lightweight composites. It is well known that in operation, the engines of the aircraft generate a large amount of electrical current during start up. This electrical current is undesirable and must be conducted away. Otherwise, the electronic components need to be protected against electromagnetic waves produced by other sources placed inside or outside the aircraft. This paper concerns the state-of–the-art of the lightweight composites and deals with discussing solutions, new material recipes and testing results. This approach refers to the possible use of coated carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes and ferrite additive.