Carbon nanotube films with ultrahigh thermal-shock and thermal-shock-fatigue resistance characterized by ultra-fast ascending shock testing

The exploration of material failure behavior not only involves defining its limits and underlying mechanisms but also entails devising strategies for improvement and protection in extreme conditions. We’ve pioneered an advanced multi-scale, high-speed ascending thermal shock testing platform capable of inducing unprecedented heat shocks at rates surpassing 105 °C/s. Through meticulous examination of the thermal shock responses of carbon nanotube (CNT) films, we’ve achieved remarkable breakthroughs. By employing an innovative macro-scale synchronous tightening and relaxing approach, we’ve attained a critical temperature differential in CNT films that exceeds an exceptional 2500 °C—surpassing any previously reported metric for high-performance, thermal-shock-resistant materials. Notably, these samples have demonstrated exceptional resilience, retaining virtually unchanged strength even after enduring 10,000 thermal shock cycles at temperatures exceeding 1000 °C. Furthermore, our research has revealed a novel thermal shock/fatigue failure mechanism that fundamentally diverges from conventional theories centered on thermal stress.