NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Carbon Nanotube Composites: Strongest Engineering Material Ever?The primary goal of the carbon nanotube project at Johnson Space Center (JSC) is to fabricate structural materials with a much higher strength-to-weight ratio than any engineered material today, Single-wall nanotubes present extraordinary mechanical properties along with new challenges for materials processing. Our project includes nanotube production, characterization, purification, and incorporation into applications studies. Now is the time to move from studying individual nanotubes to applications work. Current research at JSC focuses on structural polymeric materials to attempt to lower the weight of spacecraft necessary for interplanetary missions. These nanoscale fibers present unique new challenges to composites engineers. Preliminary studies show good nanotube dispersion and wetting by the epoxy materials. Results of tensile strength tests will also be reported. Other applications of nanotubes are also of interest for energy storage, gas storage, nanoelectronics, field emission, and biomedical uses.
Document ID
20000108916
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Mayeaux, Brian
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX United States)
Nikolaev, Pavel
(GB Technology, Inc. United States)
Proft, William
(Lockheed Martin Corp. United States)
Nicholson, Leonard S.
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1999
Subject Category
Composite Materials
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available