Compressive Properties of Syntactic Foam Reinforced by Warp-knitted Spacer Fabric

Abstract

Syntactic foam composites are widely used as aviation, construction and marine materials because of their high specific strength, specific modulus, damage tolerance and low moisture absorption. The present work aimed to investigate the compression behaviours of syntactic foam reinforced by warp knitted spacer fabric (SF-WKSF). Eight kinds of SF-WKSF samples were produced with warp knitted spacer fabrics of various surface layer structures and parameters including inclination-angle, fineness of spacer yarns, different microballoons types as well as contents. The compression tests were carried out on aMTS material testing system and the compression properties of SF-WKSF were analyzed based on the experimental compressive stress-strain curves and modulus values. It was indicated that the SF-WKSF made with preferable spacer fabric showed higher compressive modulus and yield strength values compared to neat syntactic foam (NSF). The results also demonstrated that all the parameters had significant effects on the compression performances of SF-WKSF. The composites could gain better anti-compression capacities by selecting larger inclination-angle, coarser spacer yarn, denser surface layer structure, higher microballoon density and higher S60HS microballoon contents.