Analysis on electrical and thermal conduction of carbon fiber composites under lightning based on electrical-thermal-chemical coupling and arc heating models

Based on arc heating involved electrical-thermal-chemical coupling models of CFRPs subjected to combined lightning components D and C, the changing characteristics of the electrical potential and pyrolysis degree with time in specific locations were analyzed to reveal the electrical conduction mechanism related to resin pyrolysis. Moreover, by comparing to the results calculated by the Joule heat model, the different effects between Joule and arc heating during lightning components D and C were discriminated. The results show that the arc heating has little effect on the temperature rise of CFRPs during component D for lack of the transient response, whereas the arc heating effect plays a dominant role during component C as there is enough time for heat conduction. The work offers a fundamental understanding of the electro-thermal characteristics of CFRPs for lightning damage.