Slashdot Mirror


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.

1 of 39 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Biological Activity by mukinrestak · · Score: 3, Informative

    Nah man, even if just a small amount of nanotubes escape, they can cause similar effects to asbestos (another microscopic fiber), http://www.mesothelioma.com/me... The source they link is a dead link, so have this from the CDC instead http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/... There's nothing wrong with being careful and thinking ahead, and there's evidence that nanotubes, while potentially very useful, are definitely a hazardous material that we shouldn't be using willy nilly.