Effect of Sintering Temperature on Mechanical Properties of Electrospun Silica Nanofibers

Abstract

Mechanical Properties of materials depend upon the crystal structure, presence of dislocations and slip planes in the unit cells. Nano-structures due to its nano scale size are expected to have defect free unit cells and hence posses very good mechanical properties. Electrospinning provides simple and cost effective means to produce nanofibers on a mass scale. These electrospun nanofibers could be subsequently used in woven composites to improve interlaminar properties. This paper addresses manufacturing of silica nanofibers by electrospinning and effect of sintering temperature on properties of these fibers. Electrospinning produces nanofibers by stretching liquid droplet emanating from spinnerate under the combined action of Columbic forces due to applied voltage and repulsion of charged ions. When the formed electrospun silica nanofibers are sintered at different temperatures, there is variation SiO2 content due to evaporation of solvents. This results into variation in the mechanical properties of electrospun silica nanofibers based on the sintering temperature. Differential Scanning Calorimetric (DSC) studies are carried out to relate variation in SiO2 content with sintering temperature. The mechanical properties of these electrospun fibers under various sintering temperatures are ascertained by evaluating their performance of composite laminates with electrospun interlaminate layers.