10.1016/j.mtcomm.2018.10.016">
 

Quantifying the effects of ultraviolet type C radiation on the mechanical and electrical properties of carbon nanotube sheet for space-based applications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2019

Abstract

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have high strength, stiffness, durability, electrical and thermal conductivity, and most notably are of lighter weight when compared to advanced composite materials. It is the purpose of this investigation to determine the possible detrimental effects on the mechanical properties and electrical conductivity of CNT sheets subjected to ultraviolet type C (UVC) radiation under vacuum. Monotonic tensile tests were performed pre- and post-treatment to determine the effects of UVC exposure on the overall mechanical properties, while the effects of UVC exposure on the electrical conductivity were measured before and after tensile testing. The CNT sheets were exposed to UVC under vacuum in order to simulate the conditions a spacecraft could encounter in low earth orbit. The mechanical properties of the CNT sheets did not change in a statistically significant way after being exposed to UVC radiation. UVC radiation did not cause significant detrimental effects on the CNT sheets. The conductivity of the bulk material was not significantly affected by either UVC exposure or tensile testing. Scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy verified that the effects of UVC exposure on the specimens’ microstructure were minimal.

Source Publication

Materials Today Communications

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