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Introduction to Nanotechnology

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5.5. APPLICATIONS OF CARBON NANOTUBES 131<br />

tensile strength of the polypropylene. A study at the University of Tokyo showed that<br />

incorporation of 5% by volume of nanotubes in aluminum increased the tensile<br />

strength by a fac<strong>to</strong>r of 2 compared <strong>to</strong> pure aluminum subjected <strong>to</strong> the same<br />

processing. The composites were prepared by hot pressing and hot extrusion.<br />

Aluminum powder and carbon nanotubes were mixed and heated <strong>to</strong> over 800 K in<br />

a vacuum, and then compressed with steel dies. After this the melt was extruded in<strong>to</strong><br />

rods. This work is very important in that it demonstrates that the carbon nanotubes<br />

can be put in<strong>to</strong> aluminum, and are chemically stable through the necessary pro-<br />

cessing. The researchers believe a substantial increase in the tensile strength can be<br />

achieved by producing a more homogenous and an aligned distribution of nanotubes<br />

in the material. Theoretical estimates suggest that with optimum fabrication a 10%<br />

volume fraction of nanotubes should increase the tensile strength by a fac<strong>to</strong>r of 6.<br />

However, the possibility that nanotube walls slide with respect <strong>to</strong> each other in<br />

MWNTs, or that individual SWNTs slip in the bundles of tubes, may mean that the<br />

actual strengths that are obtainable will be less than expected. The a<strong>to</strong>mically smooth<br />

surfaces of nanotubes may mean that they will not have strong interface interactions<br />

with the material being reinforced. On the other hand, carbon nanotubes have been<br />

shown <strong>to</strong> form strong bonds with iron which is the main constituent of steel,<br />

suggesting the possibility that nanotubes could be used <strong>to</strong> increase the tensile<br />

strength of steel. Figure 5.26 shows the results of a calculation of the tensile strength<br />

of steel versus volume fraction of SWNTs having a 10 nm diameter and a 100 pm<br />

length using a formula called the Kelly-@son equation. The calculation predicts that<br />

PERCENT VOLUME NANOTUBES<br />

Figure 5.26. Tensile strength of steel versus volume fraction of carbon nanotubes calculated by<br />

the Kelly-Tyson formula. The nanotubes were 100pm long and lOnm in diameter.

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