Experimental and theoretical studies of the elastic behavior of knitted-fabric composites

Abstract

This paper presents experimental and theoretical studies of the elastic behavior of knitted-fabric composites. In the experimental studies, two types of weft-knit preforms based upon plain-stitch and rib-stitch fabrics were first fabricated and fabric composites were consolidated by using a hand lay-up process. Tensile and rail shear tests were performed, and Young's moduli along the warp and weft directions and shear modulus determined. In order to correlate the preform microstructure with composite elastic properties, geometric models for plain-stitch and rib-stitch fabric composites were developed. Modeling of the elastic behavior was conducted by using an averaging method. The predicted elastic constants are in reasonably good agreement with experimental values. Finally, the limitation and potential of knitted-fabric composites are discussed.