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Old 16th October 2006 | 18:57
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IO540
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From: EuroGA.org
Glass fibre + resin is an insulator, and if lightning hits it will break down the insulation, turn it into a partial conductor, and fry the material.

Carbon fibre is a relatively poor conductor, and if lightning hits then the current flow will raise the temperature of the stuff and fry it.

Metal is a good conductor.

AIUI.

That's why composite IFR planes have metal mesh embedded within the insulated sections, to conduct the current away so it cannot ionise (and destroy) the nonconductive material.
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