Carbon nanotubes: Today's future technology?

Some of the properties of carbon nanotubes and their influence to the plastic compounds are discussed. The graphitic nature of nanotubes, together with their geometry, gives them phenomenal properties. The tensile strength reaches 150 gigaPascals, and their elastic modulus exceeds one teraPascal. Nanotubes can significantly enhance mechanical, electrical, thermal and even flammability properties of plastics compounds at loadings well below those normally needed for conventional reinforcing fillers. Baytubes are prepared from carbon nanotubes and the sticks are 60-70% more impact resistant than normal carbon fiber composite sticks. Nanotubes are much better at static dissipation so additive levels are much lower and so is any negative effect on mechanical properties. The electronics application of carbon nanotubes include hard disk drives and chips. Fibrils are widely used to dissipate electricity in fuel lines and connectors in the auto industry.