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Electron Beam Irradiated Intercalated CNT Yarns For Aerospace ApplicationsMulti-walled CNT yarns have been experimentally and commercially created to yield lightweight, high conductivity fibers with good tensile properties for application as electrical wiring and multifunctional tendons. Multifunctional tendons are needed as the cable structures in tensegrity robots for use in planetary exploration. These lightweight robust tendons can provide mechanical strength for movement of the robot in addition to power distribution and data transmission. In aerospace vehicles, such as Orion, electrical wiring and harnessing mass can approach half of the avionics mass. Use of CNT yarns as electrical power and data cables could reduce mass of the wiring by thirty to seventy percent. These fibers have been intercalated with mixed halogens to increase their specific electrical conductivity to that near copper. This conductivity, combined with the superior strength and fatigue resistance makes it an attractive alternative to copper for wiring and multifunctional tendon applications. Electron beam irradiation has been shown to increase mechanical strength in pristine CNT fibers through increased cross-linking. Both pristine and intercalated CNT yarns have been irradiated using a 5-megavolt electron beam for various durations and the conductivities and tensile properties will be discussed. Structural information obtained using a field emission scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and Raman spectroscopy will correlate microstructural details with bulk properties.
Document ID
20150022124
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Waters, Deborah L.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Gaier, James R.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Williams, Tiffany S.
(NASA Glenn Research Center Cleveland, OH United States)
Lopez Calero, Johnny E.
(Puerto Rico Univ. Mayaguez, Puerto Rico)
Ramirez, Christopher
(Texas Univ. El Paso, TX, United States)
Meador, Michael A.
(National Science and Technology Council Washington, DC, United States)
Date Acquired
December 1, 2015
Publication Date
June 14, 2015
Subject Category
Chemistry And Materials (General)
Report/Patent Number
GRC-E-DAA-TN24193
Meeting Information
Meeting: TechConnect World 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Country: United States
Start Date: June 14, 2015
End Date: June 18, 2015
Sponsors: TechConnect, Nano Science and Technology Institute
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNC14QA16D
WBS: WBS 713030.01.04.03.01
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
electrical wiring
carbon nanotubes
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