Graphene Super Paper Is 10x Stronger Than Steel 244
Elliot Chang writes "The University of Technology in Sydney recently unveiled a new type of graphene nano paper that is ten times stronger than a sheet of steel. Composed of processed and pressed graphite, the material is as thin as a sheet of paper yet incredible durable — this strength and thinness gives it remarkable applications in many industries, and it is completely recyclable to boot."
Tensile strength is ten times stronger. (Score:4, Informative)
Re:Tensile strength is ten times stronger. (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Rate of degrading? (Score:2, Informative)
Not generally. It sublimates at 3915K, the highest of all elements. Additionally, it's very non-reactive in most forms around standard temperature and pressure. Stable carbon forms do *not* oxidize easily.
Re:Rate of degrading? (Score:4, Informative)
My understanding is that pure carbon things sublimate into CO2 over time (including diamonds) when exposed to oxygen.
I don't disagree that this might happen, but isn't this usually called oxidation and not sublimation? Sublimation refers to a state change (always C), and oxidation is a chemical reaction (C to CO2). If oxidation happens quickly enough, I heard it is called "burning"...
(ducks)
At any rate, you are partially correct in that diamond oxidation depends on sublimation occurring:
http://acs.omnibooksonline.com/data/papers/2001_6.2.pdf [omnibooksonline.com]
But you may need to heat it to 350 degrees C for this to happen at a noticeable rate:
http://www.mdu.edu.tw/Chinese/pdf/mdu01c-2-09.pdf [mdu.edu.tw]
Re:The Strength of Compressed Graphite? (Score:4, Informative)
Attempts with less exotic materials have had very limited success.
The biggest problem there is, the user has no clue what he's doing. Large swords are never used as swords (swinging/slashing). That's a complete misconception. Large swords are actually used as a pole arm (thus the typical handhold north of the hilt) and frequently used from horseback where the extra reach is desired. Furthermore, should one actually desire to use it standing and not as a pole arm, you would do so in a spinning/slicing fashion rather than a swinging manner - but that would be a move or pure desperation.
Remember, not all swords are used the same. For example, the classic Roman sword, central to the phalanx [wikipedia.org], was almost never used in a swinging fashion; despite being bladed. It was almost exclusively used in a shielded, stabbing technique.
In fact, contrary to pop culture, the sword was pretty far down on the list of preferred weapons. Universally, weapons such as spears, pikes, flails, mace, pole arms, axes and hammers of various sizes were, by far, the preferred weapons. Swords, if in fact they were used at all, were considered a weapon of last resort. And in fact, long daggers/short swords where typically preferred over that of what is typically depicted as a sword in pop culture. Which in turn, is precisely what inspired the creation of weapons such as bastard (sword and a half)/long sword, and two handed swords (example, claymore).