Testing and modeling the mechanical behavior of nanofibers for composite applications

Testing and modeling the mechanical behavior of nanofibers for composite applications 

Determining tensile properties of nanofibers and structures built thereof 

The mechanical performance of electrospun nanofibers concerning nanocomposites can be discussed at different levels such as mechanical properties of single nanofibers, nano-fibrous self-products, and nanofiber reinforced composites as well. When designing composites it is crucial to know the mechanical parameters, behavior and damage process of the nanofibrous materials. 

The tensile properties can be determined only if the cross section of the specimens is known. In the case of electrospun materials that are deposited on a flat metal collector [106], the area density is not uniform. To avoid this problem, a rotating drum with low velocity is suggested. This slow motion does not affect the orientation of fibers, but the structure has a quasi-constant thickness in the direction of rotation [107], And in this case the linear density in the direction of rotation can also be considered constant. The cross section 

As the damage of nanofibers occurs due to the flaws of the material, which axe strongly related to the volume and extent of nanofibers, Weibull-analysis can be used to describe the failure characteristics [108]. 

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