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Introduction

Astrostrike® is a nonwoven metallic mesh used for lightning and shielding protection of composite aircraft and other structures.  It has been evaluated by most U.S. airframe manufacturers and was found to have numerous advantages over other materials and systems which have traditionally been used for lightning and shielding protection. Standard Astrostrike® products include a variety of configurations and weights in both copper and aluminum allowing for greater design flexibility.

Astrostrike® Lightning Strike Protection (LSP) is produced from a solid foil and is perforated and processed to create outstanding formability and excellent adhesion to composite laminate structures.  Since it begins as a solid foil, it can be produced from nearly pure metals for maximum electrical conductivity.  In contrast most woven aluminum and copper (brass) must be alloyed in order for the metal to have enough strength to withstand the weaving operation.  Alloys traditionally used by the aerospace industry typically have conductivity levels of approximately fifty percent (1/2) of the Astrostrike® base metals.  Since both lightning and shielding protection are functions of conductivity, the high purity Astrostrike® screens result in the highest level of protection available.  The high uniform electrical conductivity possessed by both the base metal and the finished mesh allows for the maximum current transfer possible (least amount of voltage drop) in current dissipation measurements even through overlap edge splices.  The Astrostrike® products have shown the least amount of voltage arcing in both screen-to-screen and screen-to-metal connections than most all other products tested.

The high percent of open area and the consistent thickness of Astrostrike® products allow total bleed through of adhesive resin, producing a smooth finished panel.  When Astrostrike® is used with specialized surfacing film adhesives, finishes can be produced that are paint ready, without the need of further surface sanding.

The specialized diamond configuration, high elongation and uniformity of Astrostrike® provide for a greater ease and flexibility in application resulting in cost savings during fabrication of composite panels.

All Astrostrike® LSP products come cleaned, annealed and coated with a corrosion resistant primer.  Because of this processing, the product is “bond ready” and requires no additional cost handling or cleaning by our customers.

Astrostrike® is trusted by these fine companies

  • 3M
    BAE Systems
    Eurocopter
    Goodrich
    Kaman
  • Agusta Aerospace
    Bell Helicopter
    FACC
    Gulfstream
    Lockheed Martin
  • Airbus Helicopters
    Bombardier-Learjet
    Hexcel
    Hitco
    Nordam
  • Cytec
    Cirrus
    GKN
    Scaled Aircraft
    Spirit Aerosystems
  • Aerostruktur
    McDonnell Douglas
    Mitsubishi
    Ratier
    UTC Aerospace
  • Zodiac
    Pratt Whitney
    EADS
    Airbus Espana
    Raytheon Aircraft
  • Ducommun
    AIDC
    Embraer
    Vought Aircraft
    Hartzell
  • Sikorsky
    Boeing
    Newport Adhesives
    NASA Langley
    Northrop Grumman