Research Symposium

BIO

HPMI Undergraduate Researcher | FSU Mechanical Engineering & Music | Aspiring Engineer in Carbon Neutral Energy or Materials Science | Microtonal Composer

Woven Carbon Nanotube Yarn for Aerospace Use

Abstract

NASA is searching for the next generation of materials to replace state of the art carbon fiber in aerospace structures. This work manufactured three-ply woven laminates out of Carbon Nanotube yarns (CNTy) and Bismaleimide resin (BMI). Each ply was woven in a prototyped vertical loom. The warp was made by winding CNTy via filament winder concurrently with looping a heddle segment every 180 degrees. This was particularly innovative due to the drastic reduction in manufacturing time. CNTy is ideal for heddle stringers because their graphitic character reduces friction. The warp-heddle assembly is mounted to the loom. The weft (CNTy) is passed through the warp at alternating lever positions with each pass, much like standard looming. Unlike other looms, the two warp layers have their own spring loaded warp beam, making it easier to weave. We designed an aluminum frame with rubber lips to grip the suspended weave to be cut from the loom. The weave is densified at 5000 lbs and pre-impregnated with BMI resin. Three prepreged weaves were layed up and cured to make the laminate. This being the first exploration of CNTy weaving, the resultant laminate is a first of its kind.

Keywords: materials CNTs NASA