Future applications of carbon nanotube reinforced functionally graded composite materials

Abstract

Future applications demand materials having extraordinary mechanical, thermal and chemical properties which must sustain the different environment conditions and in the same time available easily at reasonable prices. The carbon nanotubes(CNT) reinforced functionally graded composite materials(FGCM) is expected to be the new generation material having a wide range of unexplored potential applications in various technological areas such as aerospace, defence, energy, automobile, medicine, structural and chemical industry. They can be used as gas adsorbents, templates, actuators, catalyst supports, probes, chemical sensors, nanopipes, nano-reactors etc. This paper explores in detail the different possibilities of application of CNT reinforced functionally graded composites and manufacturing techniques, which raise the awareness on the promise of nanotechnology and the potential impact on aerospace industry as well as on other areas. � 2012 Pillay Engineering College.