ELASTIC PROPERTIES OF SINGLE AND MULTILAYERED NANOTUBES

Elastic properties of single-and multilayered nanotubes are calculated using an empirical model. It is predicted that the nanotubes are the strongest materials. The Young's modulus and the shear modulus are com parable to that of the diamond, but the bulk modulus is almost twice a s large. Elastic moduli are shown to be insensitive to details of nano tube structure such as helicity, tube radius and number of layers. The se unusual properties ensure that nanotubes will have a wide range of potential applications. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.