Abstract

Electrical properties such as electrical conductivity of composites play an essential role in aerospace structure and electronic applications. In such cases, composites materials need to sustain under electrical loads in addition to mechanical loads. It is important to understand reliability and multifunctional performance (coupled structural-thermal-electrical) of composite materials under electrical effect in different applications. Under electrical load, electrical effects are often coupled with structural integrity and thermal behavior due to “Joule heating” in composite parts and their joints. This multi-physical action leads to damage growth and ultimately affect the electrical and mechanical response.