The BULCANATU project wanted to develop feasible techniques for advanced and cost-effective composite manufacturing of aviation parts. The development of new epoxy resin Carbon Nanotube doping techniques compatible with Liquid Resin Infusion will open a new era on fabrication of aerospace parts with improved mechanical properties, thanks to nanoparticles. Future aircraft manufactured with doped CNT epoxy resins, would be the increase on electrical conductivity that could lead to the removal of copper lightning protection mesh of advanced composite fuselage.

The main issues to overcome were the dispersion and stability of the CNT over the epoxy resin, filtration phenomena within the infusion process, and the manufacture of high-performance composite parts under “out of autoclave” conditions at greater viscosities than expected. Thanks to the joint venture between TR Composites and the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, all aspects of the call were covered with wide experience to achieve good results.