Carbon Nanotube-Based Composites for Future Air Force and Aerospace Systems.

摘要

Nanotubes have been targeted for potential applications ranging from the next generation of computers and flat-panel displays to structural and functional materials. In addition to their well-known stiffness (> 1 TPa) and strength (-30 GPa) properties, carbon nanotubes also possess exceptionally high electrical and thermal conductivities, with the axial thermal conductivity near that of crystalline diamond. The unique mechanical and physical properties of nanotubes offer tremendous opportunity for the development of multijunctional composites. Under this research program an integrated effort to processing. characterization, and analysis/modeling of nanotube-based composites was undertaken. Through this research work a fundamental understanding of the processing/structure/property relations in carbon nanotube- reinforced composites has evolved. Ultimately, the establishment of these basic relationships will enable the nanoscale design of nanotube-reinforced materials for Air Force and aerospace systems.