Structural analysis of three-dimensional mesh fabric by Micro X-ray computed tomography

Kevin Lotz,Yuan Zhang,Chengyu Su,Yanping Liu

doi:10.1177/1558925019896433

Abstract

Three-dimensional mesh fabric is a special type of knitted spacer fabric with sandwich structure consisting of two separate meshed multifilament outer layers linked together with a layer of spacer monofilaments. It has found wide applications in home textiles and automotive industry due to its good energy-absorbing performance and ventilation property. This article presents a comprehensive structural analysis on a mesh spacer fabric of thickness 10.3 mm in order to place a solid foundation to enhance the understanding of the structural features and mechanical behavior. The real geometric structure was reconstructed by scanning the fabric via Micro X-ray computed tomography. The spacer monofilaments and meshed outer layers were analyzed quantitatively based on the Micro X-ray computed tomography reconstruction. It was found that the spacer monofilaments are different in length, curvature, and torsion. The spacer monofilament lengths can be ranging from 9.43 to 10.77 mm. Their curvatures varied from around 0.1 to 0.3 mm−1. The torsions of spacer monofilaments can be positive and negative with different directions of twisting and had a certain degree of symmetry between two adjacent wales. The monofilament loops in the outer layers also varied in height, width, and enclosed area. Three-dimensional mesh fabric is a periodic but highly inhomogeneous structure.

Highlights

Warp-knitted spacer fabric is a three-dimensional (3D) integral structure consisting of two outer fabric layers, which are kept apart but connected by vertical spacer monofilaments.1 3D mesh fabric is a special type of warp-knitted spacer fabric whose outer layers are meshed.[2,3]
A quantitative structural analysis of a typical 3D mesh spacer fabric of thickness 10.3 mm for both the spacer layer and outer layers was conducted based on the precise geometry reconstructed from μCT scanning
The following conclusions can be drawn from the analysis: 1. 3D mesh spacer fabric was a periodic but highly inhomogeneous structure whose spacer monofilaments were greatly different in length, curvature, and torsion, while monofilament loops in the outer layers were slightly different in loop height, width, and enclosed area

Summary

Introduction

Warp-knitted spacer fabric is a three-dimensional (3D) integral structure consisting of two outer fabric layers, which are kept apart but connected by vertical spacer monofilaments.1 3D mesh fabric is a special type of warp-knitted spacer fabric whose outer layers are meshed.[2,3] The distance or space formed by the two meshed outer layers filled with air and countless compression-resistant monofilaments enables the fabric to have several functions like mechanical cushioning,[1,3,4] redistribution of compression pressure,[5] and air/moisture permeability.[6] In view of these functions, 3D mesh fabrics have found wide applications to take advantage of the designable compressibility and permeability.

Objectives

Conclusion