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Production of β-Silicon Carbide Nanofibers using the Forcespinning® Method
A. Salinas1, A. Altecor1, M. Lizcano2, K. Lozano1
1 The University of Texas Pan American, Mechanical Engineering Department, Edinburg, Texas, 78539 US
2 NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH 44135
received November 11, 2015, received in revised form May 24, 2016, accepted June 1, 2016
Vol. 7, No. 3, Pages 229-234 DOI: 10.4416/JCST2016-00026
Abstract
Silicon carbide (SiC) nanofibers were produced on a large scale using the Forcespinning® method. Non-oxide ceramics such as SiC are known for their low density, oxidation resistance, thermal stability, and wear resistance. The nanofibers were prepared using a solution-based method with polystyrene and polycarbomethylsilane as the precursor materials. Fiber spinning was performed under different parameters to obtain high yield, fiber homogeneity, and small diameters. The fibers were spun under a controlled nitrogen environment to prevent fiber oxidation. The resultant nonwoven nanofiber mats were then subjected to different heat treatments to evaluate the effect of these on the crystalline structure. Characterization was conducted using scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. The results show high yield, semi-continuous bead-free nanofibers with diameters ranging from 280 nm to 2 micron depending on the selected processing parameters. The sintered precursors show formation of SiC nanofibers with a beta phase crystalline structure and oxygen content below 15 %.
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Keywords
Silicon carbide, high-temperature materials, ceramic nanofibers, Forcespinning®
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