Characterization of Joints between Carbon Fiber Composite Parts Using a Microstrip Transmission Line Method

The electromagnetic performance of aerial platforms, which are composed mostly of nonmetallic materials, is a subject of great interest at present time. The behavior of this type of composite structure against electromagnetic environmental effects (E3), such as lightning, is not well-studied as in the case of metalic structures. The purpose of this article is to characterize the joints present in aerial platforms constructed mainly of nonmetallic composite materials. The study of these joints is fundamental because electrical discontinuities or preferential routes can produce changes in the electromagnetic behavior of an aircraft. The proposed measurement system for the characterization of these joints is a microstrip line. The flexibility of the test setup allows for evaluation of different joints in carbon fiber composite (CFC) samples with a different number of plies. Additionally, approximated models of the behavior of the joints as well as the detection of possible defects in the joining process are reported.