Title: A new perspective on hierarchical structure to analyse strength limiting factors of CNT yarns

Authors: Chris Page; Varun Thiagarajan; Xin Wang; Yuntian Zhu; Fuh-Gwo Yuan

Addresses: Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA ' Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA ' Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA ' Department of Materials Science and Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA ' Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, USA

Abstract: The astonishing properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) at the nanoscale have not been effectively translated into the CNT yarn at the macroscale. Thus, quantitative assessment to identify the strength-limiting factors for CNT yarns is needed. By observing that CNT yarns resemble conventional textile yarns, textile knowledge base based on continuum mechanics is used to provide a new perspective on the hierarchical structure of CNT yarns. Bundles are identified as the most basic unit; the CNT is a sub-basic unit. Four length scales (CNT, bundle, pack, yarn) are introduced to identify and evaluate strength limiting factors that occur either within each distinct scale or the interaction between them. Four top-level parameters are defined to quantify the strength-limiting factors, and simulation results are congruent with currently available experimental data. This new perspective is then used to explore solutions and illuminate the future potential of the CNT yarn.

Keywords: hierarchical structure; CNT yarns; strength-limiting factors; carbon nanotubes; CNT fibres; CNT bundles; nanotechnology; strength limits; continuum mechanics; simulation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSMSS.2016.078728

International Journal of Sustainable Materials and Structural Systems, 2016 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.308 - 334

Received: 17 Nov 2015
Accepted: 08 Mar 2016
Published online: 01 Sep 2016 *

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