High Volume Fraction Carbon Nanotube Composites for Aerospace ApplicationsReported mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) at the nanoscale suggest their potential to enable significantly lighter structures of interest for space applications. However, their utility depends on the retention of these properties in bulk material formats that permit practical fabrication of large structures. This presentation summarizes recent progress made to produce carbon nanotube composites with specific tensile properties that begin to rival those of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites. CNT content in these nanocomposites was greater than 70% by weight. Tested nanocomposite specimens were fabricated from kilometers or tens of square meters of CNT, depending on the starting material format. Processing methods to yield these results, and characterization and testing to evaluate the performance of these composites will be discussed. The final objective is the demonstration of a CNT composite overwrapped pressure vessel to be flight tested in the Fall of 2016.
Document ID
20160009088
Acquisition Source
Langley Research Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Siochi, E. J. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Kim, J.-W. (National Inst. of Aerospace Hampton, VA, United States)
Sauti, G. (National Inst. of Aerospace Hampton, VA, United States)
Cano, R. J. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Wincheski, R. A. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Ratcliffe, J. G. (NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA, United States)
Czabaj, M. (Utah Univ. Salt Lake City, UT, United States)