At scale, experimental capture of electrical response of carbon fibre composites to inform integrated electrical power and structural systems

The electrification of aircraft systems and the light weighting of aero-structures using carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) are two key enabling technologies supporting the decarbonisation of flight. Close physical integration of the electrical and structural systems offers an opportunity to optimise the combined system weight and volume, and optimise system performance. In such integrated structural systems, electrical current may flow through the CFRP under faulted conditions to reach the current return network. A major barrier to their design is the poorly understood low frequency (CFRP. This paper presents the extrapolation of the response of CFRP to higher currents, including investigation of power dissipation levels and the time taken to reach key threshold temperatures linked to the thermal degradation of CFRP. These results inform design criteria for integrated systems and dual use materials to enable the adaption of CFRP to handle return currents.