RSS
Home
Nanotechnology and Fly Rods?
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
A multi-wall Nanotube
How far is too far?
October 28,2009 - Recently Zack Matthews posted a quick story on Mid-Current that one of his reliable sources in the industry leaked to him that in the endless quest for “the next best thing” they where experimenting with a graphite material that either utilizes or is entirely composed of Nanotubes. (This sounds awfully Orvis to me, the graphite for the Helios was developed for the rotary blades on the next generation of Apache attack helicopters because the engine rotation was so powerful, it would shatter the previous blades.)
So what are Carbon Nanotubes?
Carbon nanotubes are the strongest and stiffest materials yet discovered in terms of tensile strength and elastic modulus respectively. This strength results from the covalent sp² bonds formed between the individual carbon atoms. In 2000, a multi-walled carbon nanotube was tested to have a tensile strength of 63 gigapascals (GPa). (This, for illustration, translates into the ability to endure tension of 6300 kg on a cable with cross-section of 1 mm2.) Since carbon nanotubes have a low density for a solid of 1.3 to 1.4 g·cm−3,[5] its specific strength of up to 48,000 kN·m·kg−1 is the best of known materials, compared to high-carbon steel's 154 kN·m·kg−1.Under excessive tensile strain, the tubes will undergo plastic deformation, which means the deformation is permanent. This deformation begins at strains of approximately 5% and can increase the maximum strain the tubes undergo before fracture by releasing strain energy.
This is high tech stuff! But for those of us that still love the romance of a bamboo rod, it is too much? How light is too light for a fly rod?
If you have ever cast an unbalanced rod and then a perfectly balanced rod you can feel the difference immediately. A rod that has the center of gravity perfectly set at the center of your grip feels like tailor made suit and is a delight to cast. Too much weight forward or back and the rod becomes painful to cast and feels like a $20 stick from Wal-Mart.
So if we start making rods that are lighter than a helium atom and reels that still weight the same, what will happen?
Fly rod manufacturers have the dilemma and delight of selling to some of the highest educated consumers in the market; we are doctors, lawyers, scientists, (and me with a GED). But the main thing that convinces most consumers at the store is the “wiggle test”.
The potential buyer walks up to that giant rod rack, picks ups each rod, and gives is a firm wiggle. The lightest rod with the most feel wins the sale before it is even cast.
On the flip side, this is a pretty exciting time we’re living in. Every year we have better and better products on the market that just make fishing more enjoyable. We’ve gone from thick rubber waders to breathable waders that are comfortable enough to wear to church, synthetic tying materials allows us to tie new patterns that catch more fish, and high tech clothing keeps us warm and dry while on the stream.
Either way you look at this, I can’t wait to cast a fly rod that incorporates some of the most cutting edge science of today, nanotechnology.
.
More About:
fly fishing
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
.jpg)
February 1, 2010 - Trout Unlimited members across New England are still in shock today over last weeks news that the State DEP purchased 245 acres …
.jpg)
January 26th, 2010 - Trout Unlimited's CEO since 1991 announced today that he's stepping down and Chris Wood, Cheif Operating Officer, would will now …
