Abstract

This work demonstrates the potential of aligned electrospun fibers as the sole reinforcement in nanocom-
posite materials. Poly(vinyl alcohol) and epoxy resin were selected as a model system and the effect of
electrospun fiber loading on polymer properties was examined in conjunction with two manufacturing
methods. A proprietary electrospinning technology for production of uniaxially aligned electrospun fiber
arrays was used. A conventional wet lay-up fabrication method is compared against a novel, hybrid
electrospinning–electrospraying approach. The structure and thermomechanical properties of resulting
composite materials were examined using scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis,
thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,
and tensile testing. The result demonstrate that using aligned electrospun fibers significantly enhances
material properties compared to unreinforced resin, especially when manufactured using the hybrid
electrospinning–electrospraying method. For example, tensile strength of such a material containing only
0.13 vol% of fiber was increased by �700%, and Young’s modulus by �250%, with concomitant increase in
ductility.