Mechanical Properties of Textile Composites. 1st Report, Knitted Fabric Composite.

Abstract

In the previous papers, the numerical analysis method was proposed for estimating the mechanical behavior of braided composites, and its validity was confirmed. An analytical model can be developed for considering the continuity and crimp of fibers, and can be faithfully expressed in reinforcement configuration. The purpose of this study is to extend this analysis method to estimation of the mechanical properties of textile composites such as woven, braided and knitted fabrics. In this paper, the tensile properties and fracture behavior of weft-knitted fabric composite were estimated. The validity of this analysis method was examined by comparing predicted results with experiment data. Consequently, deformation properties and the stress state of weft-knitted fabric composite could be expressed using this analytical model. The predicted tensile modulus agreed well with the experimental results. Accordingly, it was clear that the tensile properties of weft-knitted fabric composite could be estimated using this analysis method.