MAINSTREAM ENGINEERING CORP — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N171-024

Description

The Phase I proposal presented here details a procedure to produce metal encapsulated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) for integration into steel cabling for aircraft carrier arresting cables. The addition of CNTs traditional steel cabling has the potential to significantly improve cable strength and longevity. However, current methods for CNT integration struggle due to CNT aggregation and poor interfacial interactions between CNT and matrix. The proposed process is based on a simple, scalable, one-pot process that uses emulsion chemistry to coat a metal on the surface of the nanotubes. This coating will create an iron-coated CNT nanopowder which enhances the binding of CNT to the steel matrix, improves mixability, and limits aggregation. In addition, the emulsion chemistry enhances the matrix/CNT interface, improving both mechanical properties. The consulting investigator has previously developed the emulsion chemistry process for polymers, and together with Mainstream has developed a procedure to coat CNTs with copper for electrical wiring. The process will be adapted for coating CNTs with alternative metals and the coated CNTs will be leveraged with Mainstreams expertise in nanocomposite manufacturing.