Haydale Graphene Industries has launched a range of graphene powder enhanced prepreg material for lightning-strike protection.
The material, which was developed in collaboration with Airbus UK, BAE Systems, GE Aviation and Element Materials Technology, reportedly uses functionalised nanomaterials to improve its electrical conductivity. The carbon fiber-reinforced composites can be used for structural components as well as for enclosures for the electronic avionics systems, including drones, commercial aviation and space applications, Haydale says, while they can also be used in wind turbine blades particularly in offshore locations which are susceptible to lightning strike. An electrically conductive masterbatch is also commercially available.
Haydale says that it plans to manufacture a demonstrator component using the materials developed as a showcase part for commercial purposes.
‘We are pleased to have developed this much sought-after product and look forward to working with the aerospace industry to see it launched commercially,’ said Keith Broadbent, CEO of Haydale.
This story uses material from the Haydale, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.