Carbon Nanotube Films Stronger Than Kevlar (acs.org)

ckwu writes: Carbon nanotubes are exceptionally strong and stretchy. But so far, films made out of them have come nowhere close to having the mechanical strength of individual nanotubes. Researchers now report a simple fabrication method to make carbon nanotube films that are five times as strong as those made before—and stronger than films made from Kevlar or carbon fiber. The films had an average tensile strength of 9.6 gigapascals. By comparison, Kevlar fibers and commercially used carbon fibers are around 3.7 and 7 GPa, respectively. The films are also four times as pliable as conventional carbon fibers, able to elongate 8% on average.

Comments

Space elevator

[Eloking]

Yah! We can start talking about space elevator again!

No thanks

[thegarbz]

I'm not buying into obsolete technology. I'll wait and see what Graphene can do.

Re:No thanks

[serviscope_minor]

I'm not buying into obsolete technology. I'll wait and see what Graphene can do.

What about if you roll up sheets of graphene to make little cylindrical tubes. Then use them as fibres. IOW you may wish to consider the relationship between carbon nanotubes and graphene.

Re:No thanks

[aliquis]

I'm not buying into obsolete technology. I'll wait and see what Graphene can do.

What about if you roll up sheets of graphene to make little cylindrical tubes. Then use them as fibres. IOW you may wish to consider the relationship between carbon nanotubes and graphene.

Carbon... Call me when they make tubes out of diamonds instead.

Re:No thanks

[gb]

Yes well, you'll be asking for carbon free diamonds next I suppose.

Re:No thanks

[The Grim Reefer]

what's whoosh made out of?

Graphene and fairy dust.

Re:Biological Activity

[Anonymous Coward]

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