Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Enhanced Composite Structures

ABSTRACT: The Phase II program will further develop the Carbon Nano Material (CNM) technologies developed during Phase I to improve EMI shielding, impact resistance, mechanical properties and embedment of conductors. The efforts culminate in two full scale test articles. Because the CNM technologies need to be inserted early in a systems design phase, Aurora proposes to use the Quiet Tactical Unmanned Air System fuselage for the full scale articles. The first article is a control and built using traditional composite materials and methods and is used as a baseline. The second article integrates the CNM technologies and is used for testing, comparison to the baseline and technology demonstration. Both articles will be subject to EMI, electrical resistance and structural testing in order to characterize the actual performance of the CNM technologies as initially tested in Phase I. Prior to the fabrication of the full scale articles, numerous coupons will be built and tested in order to further characterize the materials and processes. BENEFIT: CNM enhanced composites provide increased shielding effectiveness, damage tolerance, mechanical properties and the ability to embed conductors. These are fundamental challenges/opportunites for most composite aircraft and the developed CNM technologies are applicable to most carbon composite aircraft. The technology is particularly applicable to UAS due to their size range, sensitivity to weight, and EMI shielding needs.