Mechanical properties of electrospun PMMA micro-yarns: Effects of NaCl mediation and yarn twist

• Published in: Polymer (Guilford) Vol. 53; no. 22; pp. 5037 - 5044
• Main Authors: Sui, Xiaomeng, Wiesel, Erica, Wagner, H. Daniel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 12.10.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Electrospinning; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers and threads; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Mechanical properties; Mediation; Modulus of elasticity; Nanofibers; Polymer industry, paints, wood; polymers; Polymethyl methacrylates; sodium chloride; Sodium chloride mediation; Technology of polymers; Twisted electrospun yarns; Ultimate tensile strength; Yarns; Sodium chloride mediation; Mechanical properties; Twisted electrospun yarns; Strengthening; Twisted shape; Twist angle; Electrospinning; Sodium chloride; Experimental study; Salt effect; Morphology; Property structure relationship; Manufacturing; Fiber bundle
• ISSN: 0032-3861; 1873-2291
• DOI: 10.1016/j.polymer.2012.08.062

We recently discovered that minute additions of sodium chloride (NaCl) during the preparation of electrospun polymethyl methacrylate (ES PMMA) nanofibers significantly raise their mechanical properties. In the present work, twisted yarns made of such ES PMMA nanofibers were prepared and the effects of NaCl mediation and yarn structure and twist on the resulting mechanical properties were studied. Improvements in these properties due to NaCl mediation are again observed for yarns, as they were for single ES fibers. Furthermore, both Young's modulus and the ultimate strength of the yarns show an increase with increasing angle of twist up to a maximum, followed by a decrease at higher twist angles. [Display omitted]