Mechanical properties of electrospun nanofiber reinforced/interleaved epoxy matrix composites—A review

Abstract

Electrospinning has by far proved to be the most successful method to spin high aspect and surface area to volume ratio nanofiber for multidisciplinary applications. Its application, however, as reinforcement in fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites (FRPC's) started from interlaminar fracture toughness improvement through interleaving. Since then, its usage both in short fiber and nonwoven mat formation has been phenomenally increased to tailor mechanical properties. This review paper focuses on application of nanofiber in multiscale reinforced epoxy matrix composites for mechanical performance. After a brief overview of electrospinning and spinning parameters, it presents a case for nanofiber as reinforcement with attendant mechanisms to develop insight into nanocomposite performance. Next, it summarizes and shares findings of studies, carried out in last 10 years, seeking to enhance tensile, flexural, interlaminar toughness, impact, and fatigue properties of epoxy composites through electrospun nanofiber reinforcement. Finally, it presents a perspective to gain headways in nanofiber reinforced FRPC's research through a variety of processing and material variables.

Post Processing Strategies for the Enhancement of Mechanical Properties of ENMs (Electrospun Nanofibrous Membranes): A Review

“…This range can be termed as the processing window or optimum range beyond which electrospinning is not possible. Many applications of electrospun fibers and membranes include biomedical (tissue engineering [12][13][14], drug delivery [15][16][17], immobilization of enzymes [18][19][20], wound dressing [21][22][23] and antibacterial membranes [24][25][26]), textiles [27][28][29], separation membranes (Li ion battery separators [30][31][32], distillation [33][34][35] and filtration membranes [36][37][38]), sensors [39][40][41], and high performance composite materials (reinforcing agents [42][43][44] or vascular networks of healing agents [45][46][47]), etc.…”

The role of interface on dynamic mechanical properties, dielectric performance, conductivity, and thermal stability of electrospun carbon nanofibers reinforced epoxy

“…In contrast, electrospun nanofibers and the derived carbon nanofibers offer several advantages such as high yield, very high aspect ratio, low cost, good thermal/electrical conductivity, and the flexibility to tune the processing parameters for desired mechanical properties [28] and are, thus, an excellent choice for reinforcement. [29,30] However, their poor dispersion, aggregation, phase separation, and weak interfacial bonding with the matrix leads to poor load transfer across the interface. [31] Tailoring chemical nature of CNF surfaces, for example, by amine functionalization enhances the hydrophilicity, which assists in better dispersion.…”

Carrier Fibers for the Safe Dosage of Nanoparticles in Nanocomposites: Nanomechanical and Thermomechanical Study on Polycarbonate/Boehmite Electrospun Fibers Embedded in Epoxy Resin

“…Thanks to a combination of high yield strength and elongation to fracture, these thermoplastic layers placed between the carbon fiber mats helped to decisively improve the interlaminar fracture toughness, and this with only a thin interlayer of about 16 µm thickness [ 10 ]. The use of thermoplastic micro- and nanofibers, which can be produced by electrospinning [ 11 ], is also already established. Polyamide 6,6 (Nylon), for example, has been an extended option to be used as a reinforcement material due to its good thermal stability and mechanical strength, proving to increase the interlaminar fracture toughness by 25% [ 12 ].…”