Static electricity build-up on aircraft surfaces presents significant operational challenges, with charge accumulation reaching potentials of several thousand volts during flight. These charges, influenced by atmospheric conditions and aircraft velocity, can interfere with avionics, compromise communication systems, and in severe cases, create hazardous conditions during fuel handling operations.

The fundamental challenge lies in developing coating systems that provide consistent electrical conductivity while maintaining aerodynamic performance and surviving the harsh environmental conditions of aerospace operations.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including carbon nanotube polymer matrices for radomes, conductive mica-fluorocarbon combinations for drag reduction, knitted copper mesh systems, and integrated multi-layer protective structures. These and other approaches focus on achieving reliable static dissipation while meeting the strict weight, durability, and maintenance requirements of modern aircraft.

1. Aircraft Nose and Fuselage Antistatic Cover with Wear-Resistant Layer and Conductive Mesh Linings

HEBEI JUNXING TEXTILE CO LTD, Hebei Junxing Fabric Co., Ltd., 2024

Antistatic cover for aircraft nose and fuselage that provides protection against static electricity damage while covering the aircraft. The cover features a main body with a wear-resistant layer on its lower surface to prevent friction damage, and a protective assembly comprising nose, fuselage, and wing covers with conductive mesh linings. Conductive strips on the wear-resistant layer connect to the mesh linings, enabling static discharge while maintaining close fitment to the aircraft's contours. The protective assembly provides comprehensive coverage for the aircraft's critical areas, ensuring protection against static damage when the aircraft is parked.

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2. Electrostatic Conductive Coating with Conductive Mica and Fluorocarbon Resin for Aircraft Surfaces

Tianjin Lighthouse Paint Industry Development Co., Ltd., TIANJIN BEACON PAINT & COATINGS CO LTD, Beijing New Building Materials Public Limited Company, 2024

A high-performance electrostatic conductive coating for aircraft surfaces that achieves significant reduction in drag without compromising structural integrity. The coating combines a conductive mica filler with a specialized fluorocarbon resin and dispersant system, enabling effective conductivity while maintaining excellent mechanical properties. The formulation is optimized for high-speed flight conditions, featuring a unique combination of dispersant and dispersant-enhanced resin that ensures consistent dispersion and uniform coating thickness. The coating's unique dispersion system enables precise control over pigment filler distribution, ensuring optimal surface conductivity while maintaining structural integrity.

3. Antistatic Surface Coating with Conductive Carbon Nanotube Polymer Matrix for Aircraft Radomes

AVIC MANUFACTURING TECH INST, AVIC MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE, 2024

A low-weight, high-performance antistatic surface coating for aircraft radomes that achieves both electrical insulation and radiation protection. The coating comprises a polymer matrix with a conductive carbon nanotube filler, achieving a surface resistivity of 0.5 MΩ/~25 MΩ while maintaining wave transmission properties. The coating is prepared using a hot melt process, eliminating the need for spray-curing and enabling consistent quality control during the manufacturing process.

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4. Antistatic Coating for Aircraft Fuel Tanks with Carbon-Based Fillers and Metal Oxides

CHENGDU AIRCRAFT INDUSTRIAL CO LTD, 2023

Antistatic coating for aircraft fuel tanks that addresses conventional limitations in conductive fillers. The coating employs a novel combination of carbon-based fillers and metal oxides, with the carbon-based fillers providing improved coloration and dispersion, while the metal oxides enhance durability and corrosion resistance. The coating formulation enables excellent performance in high-temperature environments, including fuel tank surfaces exposed to extreme temperatures and corrosive environments.

5. Aircraft Cockpit Glass with Integrated Anti-Static Structure Comprising Transparent Conductive Film, Z-Shaped Metal Plate, Elastic Conductor, and Metal Mesh

Jiangsu Tie Mao Technology Co., Ltd., 2023

Aircraft cockpit glass anti-static structure that prevents electrostatic discharge damage to the glass and its components. The structure includes a transparent conductive film on the outer glass surface, a Z-shaped metal pressing plate extending from the outer glass edge to the inner glass edge, an elastic conductor attached to the inner glass filler, and a metal mesh connecting the Z-shaped metal plate and elastic conductor. The metal mesh, Z-shaped metal plate, and elastic conductor are sealed by a sealant, while the elastic conductor is exposed at the lower end. The metal mesh and Z-shaped metal plate are connected using conductive adhesive, and the transparent conductive film is connected to the Z-shaped metal plate using metal foil paper or conductive adhesive.

6. Composite Electrostatic Discharge Device with Integrated Conductive Layers and Strategic Pathing

XIONG XIU, 2022

Composite material type electrostatic discharge device for aircraft with enhanced protection against high-charge impacts. The device comprises injection-molded injection-molded components with integrated conductive layers, specifically designed for aerospace applications. The device features strategically positioned conductive paths for high-charge protection, with optimized layer thicknesses and conductive particle distributions. The device's construction allows for precise control over the discharge path, enabling effective protection against high-charge impacts while maintaining low-resistance performance.

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7. Knitted Copper Wire Mesh for Uniform Conductive Layer in Aircraft Structural Elements

OBSHCHESTVO S OGRANICHENNOJ OTVETSTVENNOSTYU NAUCHNO-PROIZVODSTVENNYJ TSENTR UGLERODNYE VOLOKNA I KOMPOZITY, Limited Liability Company Scientific and Production Center for Carbon Fibers and Composites, UGLERODNYE VOLOKNA I KOMPOZITY LLC SCIENCE AND PRODUCTION CENTER, 2022

A conductive mesh for aircraft structural elements that achieves lightning protection while maintaining structural integrity. The mesh is created by knitting copper wires into a fabric pattern that distributes the conductive layer uniformly across the surface. The knitted structure reduces the density of the conductive mesh compared to traditional grid patterns, while maintaining excellent electrical conductivity. This design enables effective lightning protection without compromising the structural integrity of the composite aircraft.

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8. Conductive Tube with PTFE Ring and Integrated Wire Mesh for Aircraft Applications

Jiangyin Jiangnan Fluoroplastic Co., Ltd., JIANGNAN FLUOROPLASTIC CO LTD, 2021

A black conductive tube for aircraft applications that eliminates the need for separate conductive materials. The tube features a conductive PTFE ring with integrated wire mesh and multiple insertion holes, which provides a conductive path while preventing surface damage during lining. A cover with a built-in plug rod seals the ends when not in use, enabling direct observation of the conductive wire mesh. This design enables the simultaneous discharge of static electricity during lining operations, eliminating the need for separate conductive components.

9. Graphene Oxide-Modified Ultracapacitor Polymer Antistatic Coating with Enhanced Conductivity and Mechanical Strength

SUZHOU HONGJIU AIR HEAT SHIELDING MATERIAL TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, Suzhou Hongjiu Aviation Thermal Insulation Material Technology Co., Ltd., 2020

GO-modified ultracapacitor polymer (UM-PF) antistatic coating for aircraft surfaces, including a preparation method. The coating combines GO-modified UM-PF with a GO-based polymer matrix, achieving high mechanical strength and electrical conductivity while maintaining good antistatic properties. The GO modification enables enhanced electrical conductivity in the coating network, while the polymer matrix provides superior mechanical properties. The coating formulation enables effective antistatic performance without compromising the aircraft's structural integrity.

10. Carbon Fibers with Electrically Insulating and Conductive Coatings for Composite Structures

AIRBUS OPERATIONS GMBH, 2020

Coated carbon fibers for aircraft and spacecraft structures that achieve high strength-to-weight ratios through the incorporation of electrically insulating coatings on conventional carbon fibers. The coating, which can be applied to both ends of the fibers, prevents corrosion of the carbon fibers during composite assembly, enabling the use of conventional carbon fibers in applications where conventional composites would otherwise be limited. The coatings also enhance electrical conductivity between the carbon fibers, enabling the creation of composite structures with integrated electrical functionality.

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11. Static Dissipative Coating with Epoxy Resin, Conductive Particles, Sodium Fluoride, and Isomeric Alcohol Polyoxyethylene Ether

SHANGHAI YES METAL CO LTD, Zhongte Nuo Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai Yishang Metal Co., Ltd., 2020

A static dissipative coating that provides both electrical conductivity and thermal management while maintaining exceptional adhesion properties. The coating comprises a combination of epoxy resin, conductive particles, sodium fluoride, and isomeric alcohol polyoxyethylene ether. The sodium fluoride and isomeric alcohol polyoxyethylene ether enhance the coating's adhesion to the substrate through hydrogen bonding and molecular mobility, respectively, while the epoxy resin and conductive particles provide the electrical conductivity and thermal management capabilities.

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12. Graphene-Based Three-Layer Coating with Conductive Mica and Zinc Yellow Epoxy Base, Graphene-Modified Polyurethane Intermediate, and Silicon-Fluorine Modified Polyurethane Top Layer

BEIJING SATELLITE MFG FACTORY CO LTD, 2020

Graphene-based multifunctional coating for aircraft surfaces that combines corrosion protection, thermal management, and electrostatic shielding. The coating comprises a three-layer structure with conductive mica and zinc yellow epoxy as the base layer, a graphene-modified polyurethane layer, and a silicon, fluorine modified polyurethane layer. The coating provides superior thermal management, electrostatic protection, and corrosion resistance through its integrated design.

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13. Graphene-Based Multi-Layer Coating for Aircraft Surfaces with Conductive Mica Base, Graphene Middle Layer, and Fluorine-Modified Polyurethane Top Layer

BEIJING SATELLITE MFG FACTORY CO LTD, 2020

Graphene-based integrated coating for aircraft surfaces that combines corrosion protection, thermal management, and electrostatic shielding. The coating comprises a three-layer structure with a conductive mica base, a graphene-based middle layer, and a fluorine-modified polyurethane surface layer. This multi-functional coating provides excellent thermal management, electrostatic protection, and corrosion resistance through its layered architecture.

14. Multi-Layer Coating for Light Metal Surfaces with Conductive Mica-Zinc Yellow Epoxy Base and Graphene-Polyurethane Surface Layer

BEIJING SATELLITE MFG FACTORY CO LTD, 2020

A multi-layer coating for light metal surfaces that combines conductive mica and zinc yellow epoxy paint with a graphene-polyurethane surface layer. The coating achieves superior anti-corrosion and anti-static properties through a dual-layer structure, with the base layer providing excellent bonding to the metal substrate while the surface layer enhances durability through the graphene-polyurethane combination. The coating can be applied using a spray process and is suitable for applications requiring high-performance protection against environmental degradation in aerospace and defense applications.

15. Aircraft Lightning Protection System with Conductive Coating and Non-Conductive Discriminating Layer

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO, 2020

Lightning protection system for aircraft that enhances its resistance to electrical discharges during lightning strikes. The system comprises a conductive coating with a second non-conductive discriminating layer that covers portions of the conductive coating. The discriminating layer has a lower dielectric breakdown voltage compared to the conductive layer, ensuring that the conductive layer remains intact even when exposed to lightning strikes. This dual-layer architecture provides superior protection against electrical discharges while maintaining the structural integrity of the aircraft.

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16. Antistatic Coating for Aircraft Radomes with Conductive Filler and Specific Gravity Control

MEIBAO ZHANG, 2019

Antistatic coating for aircraft radomes that achieves both antistatic and mechanical properties while maintaining significant weight reduction. The coating, prepared through a unique combination of conductive filler and specific gravity control, achieves a specific gravity of 0.495-0.523, significantly lower than conventional antistatic coatings. This reduction enables weight reduction while maintaining the coating's ability to prevent static discharge.

17. Multilayer Coating System with Graphene-Based Layers and Specific Particle Size Distribution

SHENZHEN GUOCHUANG JIAWEI GRAPHENE TECHNOLOGY CO LTD, 2018

A multilayer coating system for static control applications, comprising a base layer of waterborne epoxy graphene coating, a conductive ground layer, a graphene interlayer with 5-25 micron diameter graphene particles, and a surface layer of epoxy or vinyl acetate coating with 0.1-1.0% graphene content. The coating process involves surface preparation, application of the base layer, grounding layer, graphene interlayer with specific particle size distribution, and final surface coating with controlled graphene content.

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18. Silver-Based Anti-Static Coating with Integrated High Conductivity and Mechanical Strength

ZHENJIANG TAILANG NEW MATERIAL TECH CO LTD, 2018

A new anti-static coating for electrical and industrial applications that combines high conductivity with enhanced mechanical properties. The coating, comprising a silver-based system, provides superior electrical conductivity while maintaining superior mechanical strength and thermal stability compared to conventional anti-static coatings. This balance enables effective protection against electrostatic discharges while maintaining performance in demanding environments.

CN107674542A-patent-drawing

19. Aircraft Lightning Protection Sheet with Conductive Film and Heel Feature Pattern

3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY, 3M Innovative Properties Company, 2017

Lightning protection sheet for aircraft featuring a conductive film patterned with strategically positioned heel features. The sheet incorporates a conductive matrix with strategically placed heel points that rapidly transition to lower electrical conductivity values upon exposure to lightning strikes. This unique design enables controlled contact point movement during lightning strikes, preventing damage to both the aircraft structure and the conductive film.

20. Electrostatic Dissipative Coating and Conductive Ground System for Gas Turbine Engine Fan Blades

UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP, 2016

Preventing electrostatic discharge from gas turbine engine fan blades through a novel electrostatic dissipative coating and conductive ground system. The coating covers the fan blade's airfoil root while a conductive ground tab is attached to the root's front face. A conductive flow path, integrated into the ground tab's design, runs along the root and blade component. This integrated flow path is secured to the root's neck and blade platform, effectively dissipating electrostatic charges through both mechanical and electrical means.

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