Producing Yarn with Nanofibers

Producing nanofibers using electrospinning has increased greatly with the rapid development of nanotechnology. In addition to this increase, the nanofibers are typically deposited on a flat surface so they cannot be used in adequate quantities in their 3D structures.

In order to diversify and control the nanofiber production process, some dominance over production has to be established. The aim is to bring them into the form of yarn so that the nanofibers created using the electro-production technique can be utilized differently and more in 3D structures.

Yarn Production

Using nanofibers for yarn production has been studied by a few researchers even if it is limited, and some strand-like structures have been obtained, although it is not a continuous production ^[1]. The most successful of these studies was conducted by Usman Ali and his colleagues from Deakin University, Australia, where they obtained a few meters of yarn.

Figure 1. Funnel and nanofiber yarn obtained with PvDF solution

Image Credit: Inovenso

Figure 2. Nanofiber Yarn produced by 10 m/h winding velocity (7.5 m)

Image Credit: Inovenso

Electro-Production Technique

When the nanofibers obtained using the electro-production technique were entangled into the yarn form by twisting, a yarn made up of only nanofibers was produced. In addition to the superficial possibilities of the nanofibers in this regard, the 3D structure of the nanofibers is also enhanced.

Not only yarn composed of nanofibers obtained by electro-production technique can be produced, but it can also be created in functionalized yarns by coating on filament yarns. Sometimes, mono-filaments and synthetic yarns do not offer enough comfort and desired properties on their own.

Here, synthetic and mono-filament yarns can be used as a self-coating in the electro-production technique by exploiting the properties of nanofibers. In areas where only elastane (Lycra) is used, it has to be covered with its surface in addition to its elasticity, so that its form is not disturbed for comfort. The aim is to engineer a nonstop production by coating other mono-filament yarns, including elastics, using electro-production technique.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Inovenso.

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