Energy absorption characteristics of single-walled carbon nanotubes

The excellent mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes make them potential candidates for engineering application. In this paper, the impact and failure behaviors of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are investigated. The effects of diameter, length, and chirality on their energy absorption characteristics under lateral impact and axial crush are studied. By integrating the principle of molecular structural mechanics (MSM) into finite element method (FEM), the locations and directions of fracture process can be predicted. It is shown that the specific energy absorption (SEA) of SWCNTs is 1-2 order of magnitude higher than that of the ordinary metallic materials and composites in axial impact, indicating that carbon nanotubes are promising energy absorption materials for engineering applications.