Tech Briefs Magazine - September 2021 - 48

Manufacturing &
Prototyping
Fiber-Metal Laminate Manufacturing Technique
Synthesis of fiber-metal laminates is performed using RF plasma spray deposition.
Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia
ASA Langley developed a method for
the synthesis of fiber-metal laminates
(FMLs) by radio frequency plasma spray
deposition. FMLs combine the stiffness
and strength of fiber-reinforced polymer
matrix composites with the toughness and
durability of metallic alloys and therefore
have a range of applications.
The use of radio frequency plasma spray
(RFPS) deposition offers a unique ap -
proach to the fabrication of FMLs with
many advantages. For example, the ap -
proach is ideal for highly reactive materials,
allows for tailorable FMLs, and allows
for materials that exploit the unique properties
of nanoparticles in metallic structures.
This new manufacturing technique
will help create better FMLs for lightning
strike protection (LSP) and also open the
door to new FML applications.
The FMLs are composite materials that
consist of conventional fiber-reinforced
plastics with the addition of a metal comN
ponent
- typically a foil or mesh layer(s).
The metal component offers the advantage
of incorporating metal-like properties
to the composite construction. While
a range of potential advantages and applications
have been discussed for FMLs, the
primary application to date has been for
aircraft structures, with one potential
advantage being the LSP offered by the
improved electrical conductivity.
As aircraft construction has moved to
composite structures, there has been an
increasing need for such conductive composites.
Similarly, with increasing use
of composites for other large structures,
e.g. wind turbines, there are an increasing
number of potential applications for LSP
materials. Other advantages of FML are
improved impact and fire resistance.
This work provides a method for making
FML materials that incorporate nano -
tube reinforcement. The method in -
volves the use of RF plasma spray to
directly form and deposit nanotube materials
onto fibers/fabrics, which can then
be manufactured into composite structures
by infiltrating the fiber with resin
and consolidating the structure via autoclave
processing or via Vacuum As sisted
Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) composite
manufacturing methods.
Nanotubes incorporated into the structure
in this manner can be of several
types; for example, boron nitride or carbon
nanotubes. The objective of this
innovation is to incorporate the nano -
tube materials in the FML to improve the
mechanical properties.
NASA is actively seeking licensees to commercialize
this technology. Please contact
NASA's Licensing Concierge at AgencyPatent-Licensing@mail.nasa.gov
or call us
at 202-358-7432 to initiate licensing discussions.
Follow this link for more information:
https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/LARTOPS-170.
FUTURE.INDUSTRY
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19-21, 2021
Virtual Global Event
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Tech Briefs, September 2021
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