Polymer

This manuscript investigates the theoretical properties of one-dimensional mag-carbon polymers, specifically mag-carbyne, as a lighter-weight alternative to the previously studied mag-carbon nanotubes (mag-CNTs). While mag-CNTs exhibit unparalleled absolute strength, their substantial linear mass density ($\approx 76.63 \text{ kg/m}$) presents a challenge for mass-critical applications. This work explores if a 1D polymer analogue can offer a superior strength-to-weight ratio. By applying a rigorously derived, carbon-specific scaling methodology to carbyne, theoretically the strongest 1D material, we calculate the properties of its magmatter counterpart. Our results predict that a mag-carbyne chain possesses a theoretical tensile strength of $2.402 \times 10^{52} \text{ Pa}$ and a 3D-equivalent specific strength of $5.726 \times 10^{14} \text{ N} \cdot \text{m/kg}$, both approximately 2 times greater than those of a mag-CNT. Most critically, its linear mass density is found to be only $1.069 \times 10^{-2} \text{ kg/m}$, over 7,000 times lighter than a mag-CNT, yielding a theoretical breaking length of $5.839 \times 10^{13} \text{ m}$. While the absolute breaking load of a single chain is lower than that of a single, more massive nanotube, we conclude that mag-carbyne’s phenomenal specific strength and flexibility make it the ideal foundational thread for creating woven macro-scale structures. It represents a revolutionary material for applications where minimal mass per unit length is the most critical design parameter, such as tethers for space elevators and the construction of planetary-scale infrastructure. ...