Use of Nanotubes in Aerospace Components

Nanotechnology will make flying in aircrafts safer and faster. The chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of nanotubes can be harnessed in aerospace, defense and security technologies and applications.

Two types of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) - Single Wall Carbon Nanotube (SWNT) and the multilayer nanotubes find applications in space and aircraft manufacture.

Some of the concerns where aerospace industry needs to exploit new technologies include:

Increased safety
Reduced emissions
Reduced noise
Increased capacity
Increased mobility

Stronger, tougher and long lasting aerospace components are needed to make flying risk-free. The major problem faced by air craft manufacturers is the fatigue strength of aircraft components which decreases with the component’s age. Fatigue strength can be increased by reducing the grain size of the material which in turn makes the material stronger, thereby, increasing the life of the aircraft. Nano-materials provide such a significant reduction in the grain size over conventional materials so that the fatigue life is increased by an average of 200-300%. Composite materials with improved fatigue life, damping properties and higher damage tolerance properties due to CNT inclusions, is vastly investigated in the last years.

Nanomaterials have a remarkable tensile strength. It is anticipated that nanotube-based materials may become 50–100 times stronger than steel at one-sixth of the weight. Functionalized-carbon-nanotubes (FCNT) enable new technologies in aircraft platforms performance, ballistic protection and conductive fibers.

Furthermore, components made of Nano-structured materials that are perhaps 100 times lighter than conventional materials of equivalent strength are possible, so an aircraft can fly faster and more efficiently (for the same amount of aviation fuel).

Components made of nanomaterials can operate at higher temperatures making it suitable to be used in aircrafts. In spacecrafts, elevated-temperature strength of the material is crucial because the components (such as rocket engines, thrusters, and vectoring nozzles) operate at much higher temperatures than aircrafts and higher speeds. Nanomaterials are perfect candidates for spacecraft applications, as well.

Also, embedding Nanoscale electromechanical system components into earth-orbiting satellites, planetary probes, and piloted vehicles potentially could reduce the cost of future space programs. The miniaturized sensing and robotic systems would enhance exploration capabilities at significantly reduced cost.

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