Abstract: With the use of composite materials on aircraft, the lightning protection problems gradually get people's attention. This paper briefly describes several lightning protection measures currently widely used. From view of physical tests, the paper uses simulated lightning test to verify the effect of lightning protection for composite plates with protective measures. The test involves two different samples: regular composite plates and composite plates covering the protective layer of copper mesh. Through comparing the different results after two samples being struck by lightning, the paper finds that the protective layer of copper mesh is effective and important.

Key words: composite materials, lightning protection, simulated lightning test, copper mesh