Systems, methods, and apparatus for using aircraft bondline embedded current sensors to determine a lightning damage index are disclosed. A method of predicting lightning strike damage to at least one type of aircraft involves sensing, with at least one current sensor node embedded in at least one type of aircraft, induced current. The method further involves generating, with at least one current sensor node, at least one current signal representative of the induced current. Also, the method involves determining, electromagnetic density data associated with at least one region of at least one type of aircraft by using at least one current signal. Further, the method involves creating an index that provides a numeric representation for predicted lightning strike damage to at least one type of aircraft based on the electromagnetic density data, dimensions of at least one type of aircraft, and design features of at least one type of aircraft.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for using aircraft bondline embedded current sensors to determine a lightning damage index are disclosed. A method of predicting lightning strike damage to at least one type of aircraft involves sensing, with at least one current sensor node embedded in at least one type of aircraft, induced current. The method further involves generating, with at least one current sensor node, at least one current signal representative of the induced current. Also, the method involves determining, electromagnetic density data associated with at least one region of at least one type of aircraft by using at least one current signal. Further, the method involves creating an index that provides a numeric representation for predicted lightning strike damage to at least one type of aircraft based on the electromagnetic density data, dimensions of at least one type of aircraft, and design features of at least one type of aircraft.

A method of making a ballistic resistant composite material having improved resistance to high energy rifle bullets and the like. The method comprises providing at least one fibrous layer comprising a network of high tenacity aramid fibers. The fibrous layer is coated with a thermoplastic polyurethane resin. The coated fibrous layer is molded at a pressure of at least about 1,500 psi (10.3 MPa). Preferably, a plurality of fibrous layers are employed, each of which is formed from to unidirectionally oriented aramid fibers in a thermoplastic polyurethane resin matrix. Adjacent fibrous layers are preferably oriented at 90 with respect to each other.

A device is provided for producing a bonded joint between fiber-reinforced thermoplastic parts to be joined, in which fiber-containing plastic material is mixed into the joining zone while friction stir welding the parts to be joined in the form of a butt joint.

A device is provided for producing a bonded joint between fiber-reinforced thermoplastic parts to be joined, in which fiber-containing plastic material is mixed into the joining zone while friction stir welding the parts to be joined in the form of a butt joint.

A method and apparatus to mitigate the severity of the bond-line read-out defect, and more specifically microwave heating to locally cure adhesive bond-line in a single or two stage process comprising heating thermoset adhesive with microwave radiation until the adhesive is fully cured or partially cured. If the adhesive is partially cured, it can be fully cured by being subjected to an additional thermal cycle.

A method and apparatus to mitigate the severity of the bond-line read-out defect, and more specifically microwave heating to locally cure adhesive bond-line in a single or two stage process comprising heating thermoset adhesive with microwave radiation until the adhesive is fully cured or partially cured. If the adhesive is partially cured, it can be fully cured by being subjected to an additional thermal cycle.

The invention relates to a plastic-metal hybrid component and to a corresponding method for producing a plastic-metal hybrid component. The production method has the following steps: (i) providing a fiber composite semifinished product based on polyamide, at least one part of the surface of the semifinished product being made of a polymer composition which contains the following: a) 100 wt. % of a polyamide; and b) 0.5 to 20 wt. % of one or more adhesive additives of the formula (I); (ii) providing a metal main part; (iii) optionally pretreating the surface of the metal main part in order to produce functionalities; (iv) introducing the main metal part and the fiber composite semifinished product into a pressing tool and closing the tool; and (v) bonding the fiber composite semifinished product and the metal main part by means of a compression process under the effect of pressure and temperature.

The invention relates to a plastic-metal hybrid component and to a corresponding method for producing a plastic-metal hybrid component. The production method has the following steps: (i) providing a fiber composite semifinished product based on polyamide, at least one part of the surface of the semifinished product being made of a polymer composition which contains the following: a) 100 wt. % of a polyamide; and b) 0.5 to 20 wt. % of one or more adhesive additives of the formula (I); (ii) providing a metal main part; (iii) optionally pretreating the surface of the metal main part in order to produce functionalities; (iv) introducing the main metal part and the fiber composite semifinished product into a pressing tool and closing the tool; and (v) bonding the fiber composite semifinished product and the metal main part by means of a compression process under the effect of pressure and temperature.

A method of manufacturing a core stiffened structure includes orienting the plurality of core wafers in a non-uniform pattern onto a first face sheet, the non-uniform pattern producing non-uniform spacing between adjacent core wafers; assembling a second face sheet onto the plurality of wafers; and curing an adhesive to create a bond between the plurality of wafers, the first face sheet, and the second face sheet.