Inherent Electrical Conductivity in Qualified Aircraft Transparency Materials

This program seeks to impart P-static control and EMI protection within current aircraft transparencies. This will be accomplished by using multiple carbon nanotube based composite layers to impart electrical conductivity to materials used in the manufacture of F-18 canopies. Eikos, along with teaming partners proposes to layers of CNT composited with polycarbonate and/or acrylic to reach the desired combination of properties called for in this program. The result of this work is a subscale demonstration of this nanocomposite that strongly indicates the potential to provide a full range of protection to environmental and operational conditions. The composite part should form a highly durable transparent and conductive shield useful on all types of transparencies. The overall goal is to apply Eikos Invisicon® technology to layered polycarbonate substrate for optimal EMI protection and within the protective acrylic top coat for improved ESD mitigation for F-18 canopies. The proposed approach allows deposition by common atmospheric processing methods that are scalable to protect large areas and complex curvature.