A theoretical evaluation of load transfer in multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Load transfer in the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) is studied using a shear-lag model that accounts for the atomistic features. The analysis takes into account both the lattice registry effect and the elasticity of the CNTs. It is shown that the strength utilization ratio cannot be further improved either by increasing the CNT length beyond five times of a characteristic length, or by a change in the layer spacing, and the diameter and the chirality of the CNTs. Therefore, MWCNTs are not a good reinforcement in composites from the aspect of interwall load transfer.