Simulated strength and structure of carbon–carbon reinforced composite

The atomistic simulations of carbon nanotube (CNT) – carbon reinforced composite material are reported. The studied composite samples are obtained by impregnating certain amounts of CNTs (3,3) and (6,6) into a pristine graphite matrix. The addition of CNTs is found to be of significant usefulness for the CNT–reinforced composites, since it allows to achieve extreme lightness and strength. Being impregnated into graphite matrix, CNTs are able to increase the critical component of its initially highly anisotropic Young modulus by 2–8 times. The linear thermal expansion coefficients do not exceed 10−6 to 10−5 K−1, making this material applicable for novel aviation and space vehicles. The degree of dispersion of CNTs within graphite matrix is found to drastically influence composite properties.