NASA’s Langley Research Center has developed a new technique to enable the preparation of metal/composite hybrid laminates, also known as fiber metal laminates (FML), by depositing metal directly onto fabric using a plasma deposition process. FMLs provide a useful combination of structural and functional properties for both aerospace and non-aerospace applications. Currently, FMLs are prepared in a compression process utilizing a press or autoclave with metallic layers (foils) sandwiched between layers of glass or graphite prepreg (preimpregnated fibers with a matrix resin). The NASA process deposits the metal on the fiber via plasma deposition. The porosity of the coated fabric allows for resin infusion.

The NASA plasma process deposits metal particles that are heated as they travel axially at low velocity through an inert gas plasma.

NASA’s plasma-deposition process provides the ability to tailor various properties while designing functional parts by selecting specific materials and processing parameters to meet the end goal. Specifically, the plasma process deposits metal particles that are heated as they travel axially at low velocity through an inert gas plasma. The accelerated powder particles become molten, strike the substrate fabric (uniaxial, biaxial, and multiaxial), and rapidly solidify, imparting very little heat to the substrate while forming a metal-to-fiber bond, as well as a metal-to-metal bond. The resulting metal-coated fabric is porous, so the polymer matrix can pass through the product precursor during the infusion process.

The amount of metal deposited can be controlled, as can the number of fabric plies that are ultimately stacked to produce the preform for the polymer matrix infusion process.

A variety of infusion processes can be utilized to prepare the FML, including resin transfer molding (RTM), resin film infusion (RFI), and vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). The tailorable aspect of the process allows for specific product design. By varying the combination of metal particle, fiber, fabric type, metal layer thickness, fabric direction, number of layers, polymer matrix resin, infusion process, and cure conditions, the characteristics of the final part can meet the needs of various applications.

Metal deposition directly onto fabric eliminates the need for separate foils, and provides better interlayer bonding. A variety of fabrics and metal alloys (e.g., aluminum, titanium, copper, glass fabric, carbon fabric, epoxy, and polyimide) can be used to meet application requirements. The process can be tailored using its flexibility in terms of resin pathways (size, pattern) and finished parts (thickness, texture, permeability, single or multi-sided, etc.). Final laminate products can vary in terms of stacking sequences, number of plies, metal/composite ratios, and fabric preform types.

This technology can be used in a number of applications. In aeronautics and aerospace systems, it can be used for embedded lightning strike protection for aircraft, fuselage skins, leading-edge wings, floors and liners, pressure bulkheads, landing gear doors, flap skins, and blast-resistant cargo containers. It can also be used for pressure vessels and storage tanks, ballistic protection, automotive structures, and composite doors and windows.

NASA is actively seeking licensees to commercialize this technology. Please contact The Technology Gateway at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to initiate licensing discussions. Follow this link for more information: http://technology.nasa.gov/patent/TB2016/LAR-TOPS-99 .