What is it about?
The aim of this study is to systematically analyze the influence of silica gel fiber reinforcement on silica xerogels, encompassing morphology, mechanics, thermal behaviour, compression test, and thermogravimetric characteristics. The research used a low-cost precursor named Tetraethyl orthosilicate to synthesize low-cost composite Silica xerogel and glass and carbon fiber added to provide strength and flexibility to the overall composite. Silica gel works as binder in strengthening the xerogel network.
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Why is it important?
Recently, the addition of various fibres like glass or carbon fiber is one of the best reinforcement methods to minimize the brittle behaviour. Supercritical drying technique usually used to develop aerogel that is expensive and difficult to produce in bulk quantities. Higher cost obstacle can be tackled by applying ambient pressure drying technique to develop xerogel.
Perspectives
This research will help to investigate low cost material for practical applications in daily life.
Muhammad Zubair
University of Sharjah
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Investigation of mechanical and thermal behavior of fiber-reinforced silica xerogel composites, PLoS ONE, June 2024, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303293.
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