Polypropylene fibers reinforced with carbon nanotubes

The strength properties of polypropylene fibers were enhanced with single‐wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Solvent processing was used to disperse SWNTs in a commodity polypropylene. After the solvent was removed, the solid polymer was melt‐spun and postdrawn into fibers of unusual strength. For a 1‐wt % loading of nanotubes, the fiber tensile strength increased 40% (from 9.0 to 13.1 g/denier). At the same time, the modulus increased 55% (from 60 to 93 g/denier).