Mechanical properties of nanotubule fibers and composites determined from theoretical calculations and simulations Original Research Article

Theoretical Youngʹs moduli have been estimated for carbon fibers composed of single-walled fullerene nanotubules aligned in the direction of the tubule axis. In the limit of infinitely long tubules, the fibers can have a Youngʹs modulus comparable to that of diamond. Exploiting this property of nanotubule fibers, we investigate a new carbon composite composed of layered nanotubule fibers and diamond. Such a composite is found to be a high-modulus, low-density material that is quite stable to shear and other distortions.