Structural Nanocomposites

Materials scientists predict that composites made with nanoscale reinforcing materials such as nanotubes, platelets, and nanofibers will have exceptional mechanical properties. However, the results obtained so far are disappointing, particularly when compared to advanced composites reinforced with high-performance continuous fibers (1–4). The reasons include inadequate dispersion and alignment of the nanoreinforcement, low nanoreinforcement volume fraction, and poor bonding and load transfer at interfaces. Intensive work is under way, but the prospect of bulk structural supernanocomposites appears more remote now than it did just a few years ago. However, recent work shows that some applications in reinforcement of small structures may have a near-term payoff that can foster longer-term work on nanocomposites. Most of the work on structural nanocomposites has relied on ultrastrong nanoreinforcement such as single- walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) (1–3). However, the high SWCNT strength has not yet translated into bulk strength, and it is not even clear whether such translation is possible: Any attempt to create strong interfacial bonds will introduce defects into the SWCNTs that reduce their intrinsic strength. Still, multifunctional applications not relying solely on the mechanical superproperties will benefit (4, 5). Tailorability and controlled anisotropy are other useful special features of nanocomposites. Multiscale modeling (6) will help us achieve the desired balance between various functions