Aerospace Applications of Carbon Nanotube Materials

摘要

The use of floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition to make carbon nanotube (CNT) materials for aerospace structures overcomes the need for dispersants, and allows for products that consist mostly of nanotubes. CNT-based material is currently deployed in Space for Electrostatic Discharge and Electromagnetic Interference (ESD/EMI) shielding devices. Products for other applications, including coaxial cables and honey-comb core structures are in qualification. Applications such as heaters and composite pressure vessels are in development. Initially products are being developed for space applications, since they represent the highest valued products, however, it is expected that cost reductions from current production scale-up efforts will result in this technology being able to address the broader aerospace market in the future.