Field emission properties of carbon nanotubes under mechanical stress have been investigated. The emission threshold fields initially decrease from 2.3 to 0.6 V/mu m before rising back to 3.1 V/mu m with increasing mechanical stress applied externally to the film. this behavior from nanotube composites has not been reported and is believed to be associated with modification to the work function of the nanotubes. This work suggests a possible application for these composite films as electromechanical high power switches. (c) 2005 American Vacuum Society.