Variability of mechanical and dielectric properties in testing electrospun PAN nanofiber mat

Electrospinning technology has been found to have applications in various fields including medical, structural reinforcement, filtration, storage, energy, and others. Electrospinning has been successfully used to develop aligned micro- and nano-fiber mats for lightweight reinforcement of composite materials and structures. A horizontal apparatus has been designed and fabricated for improved micro- and nano-fiber alignment that provides the possibility of developing better reinforcement materials in the form of aligned fiber mats. These nano fiber mats are stiffer, stronger and have better mechanical, electrical and thermal properties for structural and multifunctional applications. Understanding the behavior of nanofibers at its nano scale is important for realizing benefits in these fields. In this research, the force rate behavior of nanofibers; its toughness properties, dielectric properties, specimen geometries, measurement challenges and characterizing failure modes at the failure regions have been demonstrated.