  The objective of the present paper is to investigate the mechanical
properties of carbon nanotubes. We use classical molecular dynamics simulation
in order to study the effect of external compression, bending and torsion to
nanotubes. We find that in the low temperature limit, the nanotubes are
resilient, sustaining extreme strain without signs of brittleness or
plasticity. For high temperatures and under tension the nanotubes show brittle
or plastic behavior.
