Non‐polymeric thin wires by drawing materials near room temperature

Abstract

Abstract Herein, non‐polymeric thin cross‐sectional wires were fabricated by injecting materials into elastomeric hollow fibers with subsequent drawing. Once materials were injected into hollow elastic fibers, cores were drawn as fibers elongated. Solidifying the core and removing polymeric shell could form free‐standing wires with thin cross‐sections. In this work, two different thin wires, metallic wires (gallium), and SiCN ceramic wires, were fabricated. Although mechanical and physical properties of these wires completely differed, fabrication approaches were identical by drawing materials near room temperature. Solidified wires enhanced mechanical properties of fibers. Thus, fibers could store elastic energy and preserve deformed complex shapes with the assist of solidified cores. Although the wires with thin cross sections are inherently brittle, the relatively low melting point of gallium (29.8°C) allows it to heal easily upon body heating.

Keywords

• drawing materials
• liquid metals
• non‐polymeric thin wires
• preceramic polymers