Development of UV protective electrospun layers for high performance fibres for high altitude applications

Abstract

In this study, a range of lightweight UV protective layers has been developed from electrospun polyurethane loaded with different amount of rutile TiO₂ nanoparticles using electrospinning with variable speed drum (collecting surface). To assess the degree of protection of the manufactured layers, a braid from <span style="mso-bidi-language:EN-US" lang="EN-GB">Zylon_{<img src='http://www.niscair.res.in/jinfo/Regd.gif' border=0>} fibres has been sheathed with the protective layers of different weight per braid unit length and the strength of yarns raveled from the braids is measured. The strength retention after exposure to artificial UV rays in Atlas Weatherometer for six days is used as a measure of the degree of sheath protection. Electrospun polyurethane layers loaded with 1% of TiO₂ with weight of 2.29 g/m braid, processed at high speed collector (87.7 m/min), provide the highest protection among the developed electrospun polyurethane layers.

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