Optimization of the adhesion between two dimensional structures and thermoplastic polymer nanofibers

Within the scope of the study, it was aimed to evaluate and improve the adhesion force between thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) nanofibers produced by electrospinning and two-dimensional nitinol braided structures. In this context, different methods were used to coat braided structures with nanofibers and their adhesion strengths were tested and compared. The braided structures were produced using a circular knitting machine and then the 3D braided structures were cut and made 2D and flattened by baking with the help of a designed mechanism. While coating the 2D braided structure with nanofibers, heat treatment with hot air, pre-coating with TPU, plasma treatment and two-sided coating methods were used. The adhesion strength of the prepared samples was measured by the peel test performed according to DIN EN ISO 11339 standard and the results were compared. An increase in adhesion was achieved with each method performed. As a result, heating the nanofibers resulted in a 2.4 times increase in adhesion compared to untreated samples. Pre-coating of the nitinol braided structure with TPU resulted in an average 9.15 times increase in adhesion strength compared to untreated samples. The two-sided coating increased by 2 times, and treatment with argon plasma increased by 2,5 times.