Multifunctional polymer-based composite materials with weft-knitted carbon fibrous fillers

Viktoriia Bezsmertna,Yurii Vasilenkov,Valerii Kohanyiy,Vadym Stavychenko,Oleksandra Mazna,Maryna Shevtsova,Iryna Bilan,S Pantelakis,C Charitidis

doi:10.1051/matecconf/201930401012

Abstract

The production technology of reinforcement filler for new multifunctional polymer based composites with weft-knitted structure had been proposed. In such reinforcement filler high-strength carbon fibers (CFs) from PAN precursors (wefts) were laid in a knitted fabric as straight continuous yarns, so in such case these CFs were not twisted by knitting machine to form the loops. Various kinds of chemical and inorganic fibers can be used as base yarn in this case, in particular glass, aramid, carbon fibers from hydrate cellulose and etc. Properties of multifunctional polymer-based composite materials with weft-knitted fillers depend upon fiber composition, relative content of weft and base yarns, scheme filler stacking (1D, 2D and 3D composites). The electrical conductivity of weft-knitted fabrics shows the strong anisotropy along high-strength fibers in comparison with looped rows, depending on the direction of high-strength CFs (weft). Investigation of shielding properties of polymer based composites reinforced by carbon weft-knitted fabrics showed the possibility of using them as shielding materials with the ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation.

Highlights

Weft threadFor the production of these fabrics upgraded flat knitting machine was used
The electrical conductivity of weft-knitted fabrics shows the strong anisotropy along high-strength fibers in comparison with looped rows, depending on the direction of high-strength carbon fibers (CFs)
The use of composite materials based on carbon fibers in the aircraft construction is a promising and cost-effective direction for the development of the aviation industry

Summary

Weft thread

For the production of these fabrics upgraded flat knitting machine was used. This type of equipment allows to process fragile threads (with a large number of elementary fibers) or threads of large diameter that cannot be formed into a loop. By using of this method, it is possible to obtain a combined filler and hybrid composites reinforced by it, in which various filaments can be combined, for example, carbon and glass, carbon and aramid, carbon and carbon, glass and aramid and others (Fig. 3.4).

Number of rows

Transverce electrical resistivity ρy

Findings

Knitted fabric