Fabric Structure Research Articles

Effect of Fibre Type and Fabric Structure on Composite Materials Under Ballistic Shock Impact

This study analysed the effect of fibre type and fabric structure on the behaviour of aramid and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW PE) composite plates under ballistic shock loading. A specific test system that simulates a ballistic shock wave was prepared in this context. Aramid composite plates are reinforced with three types of fabric structure, while UHMW PE composite plates are reinforced with a single fabric structure. The plates were cured in an autoclave. The ballistic explosion behaviour of composite plates was evaluated in terms of trauma depth, trauma diameter and absorbed energy at the ballistic limit. The results of the ballistics tests showed that GS3000-reinforced composites demonstrated the highest energy absorption. In contrast, UHMW PE composite plates exhibited higher ballistic energy absorption on a unit-weight basis than other plates. UHMW PE fabric-reinforced composites showed approximately 30% higher energy absorption per unit area density than other composites. Biaxial aramid fabric composite plates exhibited 10% higher energy absorption per unit area density than woven aramid fabric composite plates. Additionally, UD-aramid GS3000 reinforced composite demonstrated the lowest trauma depth of all tested composites, showing 90% less trauma depth than UHMW PE fabric-reinforced composites.

The Role of Fabric Structure on the Compressional Stress Relaxation of Weft-Knitted Spacer Fabrics Compared to PU Foam

The Role of Fabric Structure on the Compressional Stress Relaxation of Weft-Knitted Spacer Fabrics Compared to PU Foam

The Effect of Adhesive Quantity on Adhesion Quality and Mechanical Characteristics of Woven Kevlar Fabric-Reinforced Laminated Structures

This study investigated the adhesion and mechanical properties of woven fabric-reinforced laminates (FRLs) made with four distinct Kevlar fabrics of varying areal densities (36 g/m2, 60 g/m2, 140 g/m2, and 170 g/m2) under different fabric-to-adhesive weight ratios (1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:1.5) in both the warp and weft directions. A novel aspect of this research lies in our systematic study of the effect of adhesive quantity on FRLs, a topic that has received limited attention despite its critical role in laminate performance. Additionally, the application of a newly developed yarn pullout test alongside the standard T-peel test provides unique insights into the interfacial behavior of laminates. The results show that in lower areal density fabrics (36 g/m2 and 60 g/m2), adhesive quantity minimally affects the pullout and T-peel forces or tear strength, indicating that structural integrity can be maintained with reduced adhesive application. In contrast, higher areal density fabrics (140 g/m2 and 170 g/m2) benefit from an increased adhesive ratio, with a transition from 1:0.5 to 1:1 significantly enhancing the pullout resistance, while further increases to 1:1.5 yielded diminishing returns. Tensile strength remained consistent across all samples, highlighting that it is largely dictated by the inherent properties of the fibers and fabric structure rather than the adhesive. This study concludes that a 1:1 fiber-to-adhesive ratio offers an optimal balance of adhesion quality and mechanical performance for FRLs. By addressing the understudied impact of adhesive quantity on FRLs and introducing the yarn pullout test, this research provides novel and practical guidelines for optimizing FRLs in applications demanding high structural integrity and adaptability under challenging conditions.

Industrial production of asymmetric wettability patterned fabric for efficient atmospheric water harvesting

While harvesting water from the atmosphere is considered as a promising technology to address the increasing issue of water scarcity, its wide applications are still limited by the difficulty in mass production of water harvesting materials. Here, an industrial-producible asymmetric wettability patterned fabric (AWPF) with high water harvesting capacity is developed using a continuous and low-cost weaving technology. Four textile patterns are developed for high-efficiency atmospheric water harvesting. The alternating patterned surface in AWPF is constructed with hydrophilic bumps and hydrophobic grooves using one set of green fluorine-free superhydrophobic polyester warp yarns and two sets of superhydrophobic polyester/hydrophilic viscose weft yarns. We optimized the water collection performance of the single-sided AWPF by spraying co-MBAA-DVB superhydrophobic material on the back of the AWPF to construct a wetting gradient, that is, double-sided AWPF. The double-sided AWPF shows a strong water harvesting capacity of 2840.2 mg·6h−1·cm−2, which increased the water harvesting efficiency by 43.2 % compared with the unoptimized single-sided AWPF. To reduce the pressure drop, 6 mm wide the double-sided AWPF was designed, resulting in a water harvesting capacity that is 1.23 times higher than that of without cutting. This advanced industrialized weaving technology with an asymmetric fabric structure design holds great potential for substantial water harvesting.

Mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of 3D layer‐to‐layer interlock woven composites

AbstractThree‐dimensional layer‐to‐layer interlock woven composites (3D LTLIWCs) have been widely used in various aero‐engine blade models because of their excellent near‐net forming capabilities for complex components, as well as significant advantages in structural design flexibility and high damage tolerance. In this paper, a typical and two new 3D LTLIWCs, specifically including 1/3 twill (S‐I), modified satin (S‐II), and stuffer twill (S‐III), were manufactured by two design methods: varying interweaving frequency and introducing stuffer yarns. Three‐point bending and uniaxial tensile tests were conducted along the 0° (warp) and 90° (weft) directions. The damage morphology and failure mechanism of the specimens were revealed by nondestructive testing technology and topological structure analysis. The results showed that the fabric structure significantly influenced the mechanical properties and failure mechanisms of the 3D LTLIWCs. Compared with S‐I and S‐II, S‐III demonstrated a 17.9%–80.2% increase in bending strength and a 35.3%–162.8% increase in tensile strength in the 0° direction, while the bending strength and tensile strength in the 90° direction increased by 1.1%–73.3% and 9.3%–50.4%, respectively. Notably, S‐III exhibited lower bending and tensile damage in the 0° direction than S‐I and S‐II, with a smaller propagation range of resin and interface cracks and less severe shear fracture of the load‐bearing yarns. This study can provide a useful reference for the optimal design of fabric structure for 3D woven composite blades.Highlights Two design schemes for optimizing 3D LTLI fabric structure were compared. Introducing stuffer yarns improved the mechanical properties of 3D LTLIWCs. S‐III composites exhibited the highest failure strength in all test directions. Full‐field strain distribution was closely related to the interlocking patterns. Fabric structures had a great influence on the failure modes of 3D LTLIWCs.

Clean production and dyeing of fluorescent yellow dyes based on naphthalic anhydride in supercritical carbon dioxide

Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) was selected as the medium for the synthesis and dyeing of four naphthalimide dyes (Y-1, Y-2, Y-3, and Y-4). They were synthesized through the reaction of 4-bromo-1,8-naphthalene dianhydride with various amines. These dyes demonstrated good photophysical properties and thermal stability, aligning with the prerequisites for scCO2 dyeing. Consequently, the scCO2 dyeing of polyester fabrics using these four dyes was investigated, and the optimal dyeing conditions were established in the range of 1820 MPa, 120130℃, and 8090 min. Surface analysis confirmed the uniform distribution of the dyes on the fabrics, with no significant damage to the fabric structure under the dyeing conditions. Additionally, the dyed fabrics exhibited good color fastness to soap washing and friction with level 4 or above. Overall, the clean preparation and dyeing of naphthalimide dyes hold promise for reducing environmental pollution.

Numerical analysis of ballistic performance in hybrid structures of triaxial and plain fabrics

Numerical analysis of ballistic performance in hybrid structures of triaxial and plain fabrics

Multi-protection durable unidirectional water-transport fabric with personalized moisture and thermal management

Effective management of the microclimate interface of the human skin-fabric-external environment significantly contributes to enhancing the wearer’s comfort experience. In this paper, a fast sweat-absorbing anti-corrosion durable fabric was prepared based on fiber surface modification and textile structure design to improve the comfort and prolong the service life of fabrics. By the formation of self-assembled membranes (SAMS), silver-plated yarns with excellent oxidative resistance and hydrophobicity were obtained. A durable unidirectional water-transport fabric (DUWF) was received through a weft-double weave organization with hydrophobic silver-plated yarns as the inner weft and hydrophilic lyocell yarns as the outer weft. Spontaneous moisture conduction was achieved by the wettability gradient of two sets of weft threads and one set of warp threads in the thickness direction. DUWF had an electromagnetic shielding effect of over 65 dB, a unidirectional moisture transfer index of 863.33 %, an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 2000, a fast- cooling capacity of 3.3 °C, and good long-term stability and repeatability. The multifunctional smart fabrics proposed in this paper enhance the moisture and heat manageability of conventional garments and pave the way for further research on comfortable protective clothing.

Role of stable‐structural yarns and fabrics on the tensile and bending performance of carbon fiber resin composites

AbstractThe component yarns and fabrics effected the formability and stability of preforms, and finally determined the performance of corresponding composites. In this research, four typical fabric structures of carbon fiber resin composites (CFRC) were introduced to conduct the comparative investigation. The stability of component yarns in natural state and in fabrics have been discussed at mesoscopic scale, and the main methods to improve the structural stability of preforms were proposed. Composites with and without stable‐structural fibers and fabrics were manufactured by the modified curing process, and the yarn cross‐sections in specimens were analyzed. The tensile and bending performance of these composite specimens was comparatively conducted to discuss the influence of stable preforms on the elastic properties. The fracture mode and mechanism of specimens were illustrated in meso‐scale. The results depicted that yarns and fabrics with stable‐structural cross‐section could ensure a high fiber volume fraction, reducing the curvature of load‐bearing yarns, and effectively reduce the yarn curvature along bearing direction. The high interfacial bonding strength of composites with stable geometrical fabrics exhibited the excellent in‐plane mechanical properties, and presented the obvious brittle fracture characteristics when the fibers fully exert their load‐bearing capacity.Highlights Stable‐structural fibers result in the prominent performance of composites. Performance of composites with stable preforms show the low dispersion. Stable cross‐section of component yarns can enhance the stability of preforms. Low curvature yarns lead to brittle fracture characteristics of composites.

Topography-Mediated Induction of Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition via Alumina Textiles for Potential Wound Healing Applications.

Substrate topography is vital in determining cell growth and fate of cellular behavior. Although current invitro studies of the underlying cellular signaling pathways mostly rely on their induction by specific growth factors or chemicals, the influence of substrate topography on specific changes in cells has been explored less often. This study explores the impact of substrate topography, specifically the tricot knit microfibrous structure of alumina textiles, on cell behavior, focusing on fibroblasts and keratinocytes for potential wound healing applications. The textiles, studied for the first time as invitro substrates, demonstrated support for keratinocyte adhesion, leading to alterations in cell morphology and the expression of E-cadherin and fibronectin. These topography-induced changes resembled the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), crucial for wound healing, and were specific to keratinocytes and absent in identically treated fibroblasts. Biochemically induced EMT in keratinocytes cultured on flat alumina substrates mirrored the changes seen with alumina textiles alone, suggesting the tricot knit microfibrous topography could serve as an invitro model system to induce EMT-like mechanisms. These results enhance our understanding of how substrate topography influences EMT-related processes in wound healing, paving the way for further evaluation of microfibrous alumina textiles as innovative wound dressings.

Developing computational and experimental models of heat transfer through multi-layered textile structures

Object signature management is a critical and urgent task that helps conceal and restrict the detection of contemporary optoelectronic systems. The design of thermal camouflage textiles and material solutions constitute a significant scientific area, however publications in this area are restricted because of military competitiveness and technological secrecy. Research on thermal camouflage materials has drawn interest both domestically and internationally for a variety of purposes, especially in military applications. Multi-layered Textile Structures (MTS) is a material with several advantages, such as its simple structure, capacity to combine many different materials with many different qualities, and great applicability. The article includes a model of computation and simulation of heat transfer through multi-layer textiles, as well as tests to assess the heat shielding effect and heat radiation energy of some samples of multi-layer textiles made of domestic materials. The initial computational and experimental results constitute an important foundation for further research and application of multi-layered textile structures.

Comprehensive Approach to Evaluating the Macro- and Micropore Structures of Textile Materials

Introduction. The assessment of the macro- and microporous structure of textile fabrics is increasingly relevant for predicting their permeability, dyeability, and decorative potential. This evaluation plays a crucial role in determining the hygienic properties of clothing materials, optimizing dyeing and finishing processes, and assessing the filtration capabilities of technical fabrics in various dispersed media.Problem Statement. Challenges persist in accurately predicting the permeability of textile fabrics, as well as in determining the optimal parameters for dyeing and finishing processes.Purpose. The purpose of this research is developing a rapid, cost-effective, and accurate method to evaluate the macro- and microporous structure of textile materials is essential for assessing their permeability and suitability for dyeing and fi nishing processes.Materials and Methods. To study the porous structure of textile fabrics, we select the fabrics that varied in the thread structure — yarn produced by traditional and shortened methods — and in the fibrous composition. The first fabric is made from complex polyamide threads in a plain weave, the second from twill-woven polyester fiber yarn, and the third differs from the second in the structure of the weft thread. The macro- and microporous structures of these textile fabrics have been assessed by means of drying methods and sorption thermograms.Results. The micro- and macroporous structures of textile fabrics made from polyamide threads and polyester fibers have been compared. It has been found that the fabric made from polyamide threads exhibits a significantly higher sorption capacity than the fabric made from polyester fibers. This finding suggests that the fabrics made from polyamide threads possess a more developed microporous structure. This fact enhances their dyeing and decorating capabilities as compared with the fabrics made from polyester fibers. A comprehensive approach, utilizing both drying methods and sorption thermograms, has been employed to evaluate the macro- and microporous structures of the textile fabrics. Conclusions. The proposed comprehensive approach enables comparative studies of various textile materials, allowing for the refinement of technological processes for dyeing and decorating, as well as the identification of potential applications for these materials.

Mechanical Behaviour of Green Epoxy Composites Reinforced with Sheep and Dog Wool from Serra Da Estrela.

Environmental awareness has led industries and consumers to replace products derived from oil resources with products derived from natural sources. In the case of the composite materials industry, the replacement of synthetic fibres with natural fibres has increased in recent years. To study the influence that different types of natural fibres and different textile manufacturing techniques have on the mechanical properties of composites, bio-based epoxy matrix composites reinforced with different natural animal fibres were produced, some reinforced with sheep's wool and others with dog wool, which were later subjected to bending and tensile tests. From the authors' knowledge, there are few studies of composites produced with animal fibres, and even fewer with dog hair. The textile structures used as reinforcement were created using crochet, knitting, and weaving techniques. Prior to the composites production, the fibres were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (X-RD), and the yarns produced from these fibres were subjected to tensile tests. The results obtained suggest that the number of yarns and the diameter of the needles used during the production of the reinforcement have a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the composites. The green epoxy resin composites reinforced with sheep's wool exhibit higher values of flexural strength, tensile strength, and Young's modulus than those reinforced with dog wool, with average increases of 36.97%, 45.16%, and 72.99%, respectively. It was also possible to verify that the composites reinforced with woven fabrics and crocheted fabrics exhibit the highest values of tensile strength, flexural strength, and Young's modulus. Additionally, the composites reinforced with woven fabrics exhibit the highest values of deformation at first failure/break and toughness.

Open source tool for Micro-CT aided meso-scale modeling and meshing of complex textile composite structures

Volumetric image-based modeling of textile reinforcements and composites is favored over ideal geometric modeling because of its ability to represent complex structures in sufficient detail. Although several approaches were devised, there is still a scarcity of dedicated tools capable of effectively transferring pertinent information from images to high-fidelity models. This work presents the open source project, PolyTex, a Python-based object-oriented application that establishes a streamlined and reproducible workflow for such tasks. Dual kriging serves as the foundational theory for the parametric approach developed to represent, simplify, and approximate the morphology and topology of fiber tows. The code takes two types of input, either an explicit representation of tow geometry using point clouds or implicit representations, such as image masks representing fiber tows separately with grayscale values. Tailored APIs allow for smooth integration between PolyTex’s modeling capabilities and the simulation environments offered by OpenFOAM and Abaqus. Case studies on virtual testing of textile permeability were presented to demonstrate this capability. The modular and object-oriented design makes PolyTex a highly reusable and extensible tool that allows users to create a customized pipeline.

The Rehabilitation of the Old Medina of Bejaad, Morocco: a Technological Approach (BIM) to Enhance the Built Heritage

Objective: This study proposes a process of revitalization and regeneration of the old medina of Bejaad, as well as a methodology for the technical analysis of its urban fabric and traditional structures, while respecting the inherent values of its constructions. Through data related to the location of each building and a more in-depth investigation, a global relationship with its environment and history is established. Theoretical Framework: The old medina of Bejaad, through its ancient fabric and its potential social and economic wealth, should be leveraged for the development of this spiritual city. This built heritage is characterized by buildings that, for the most part, have preserved an uncommon restraint, maintaining the art of past construction and the secrets of local housing. Its housing is composed of two types of built fabric: traditional and more recent structures. These two types of buildings are connected by a network of public spaces that bring the inhabitants together. Method: Creation of specific Building Information Modelling (BIM) object libraries, derived from three-dimensional models created by 3D scanning using Lidar technology. Results and Discussion: The results of this investigation highlight the need to identify new methodologies for studying the built environment, which no longer focus solely on individual building types, but encompass the broader scale of the fabric, within which it is possible to assess the constructive relationships between the elements composing the block. This is achieved through a process of adopting measures for the protection, rehabilitation, and appropriation of their living environment. Originality/Value: The study proposes a practical evaluation approach by providing precise data to improve the preservation of the built heritage of the old medina of Bejaad, with the aim of establishing an architectural, urban, and landscape charter for the city and its components.

Advancing characterization of VOC diffusion in indoor fabrics: A dual-porosity modeling approach

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are major chemical pollutants in indoor air. Indoor fabrics, such as curtains, carpets, sofas, and clothes, strongly adsorb VOCs due to their high loading rates and large specific surface areas. The desorption of VOCs from these fabrics can act as a secondary source, worsening indoor air pollution and prolonging its effects. The diffusion coefficient is a key parameter that determines the source-sink properties of fabrics. In this study, the VOC diffusion characteristics in fabrics were investigated through microstructural examination, mass transfer analysis, and environmental chamber experiments. Yarn and fiber gaps were identified as dual mass transfer channels within the fabrics and were represented using two distinct fractal models. A dual-porosity medium (DPM) model, based on these fractal representations, was developed to predict the VOC diffusion coefficients in indoor fabrics and was validated via experiments under various environmental conditions and fabric-VOC combinations. The results highlight the significant impact of fabric structure and composition on VOC adsorption and emission dynamics. The validated DPM model provides a comprehensive approach to predicting VOC diffusion in fabrics, providing a more accurate method for assessing indoor air quality and fabric-mediated human exposure.

Elucidation of the Effect of Solar Light on the Near-Infrared Excitation Raman Spectroscopy-Based Analysis of Fabric Dyes.

Colored textiles are valuable physical evidence often found at crime scenes. Analysis of the chemical structure of textiles could be used to establish a connection between fabric found at a crime scene and suspect cloths. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and mass spectroscopy coupled HPLC are traditionally used for the identification of dyes in fabric. However, these techniques are invasive and destructive. A growing body of evidence indicates that near-infrared excitation (λ = 830 nm) Raman spectroscopy (NIeRS) could be used to probe the chemical signature of such colorants. At the same time, it remains unclear whether environmental factors, such as solar light could lower the accuracy of NIeRS-based identification of dyes in textiles. In this study, we exposed cotton fabric colored with six different dyes to light and investigated the extent to which colorants fade during seven weeks using NIeRS. We found a decrease in the intensities of all vibrational bands in the acquired spectra as the time of the exposition of fabric to light increased. Nevertheless, utilization of partial least-squared discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) enabled identification of the colorants at all eight weeks. These results indicate that the effect of light exposure should be strongly considered by forensic experts upon the NIeRS-based analysis of colored fabric.

Fabrication of copper coated aminated graphene oxide based textiles for electromagnetic interference shielding applications

The issue of electromagnetic radiation pollution and interference has been triggered due to rapid progress in electronic and telecommunication technologies. Serious health issues such as cancer, headaches, and improper development of the brain take place due to long-term exposure to dangerous radiation. Therefore, materials are required to provide efficient protection against electromagnetic interference (EMI). This study aimed to protect humans from dangerous radiations of different frequency by developing EMI shielding textiles. For this, a bilayer textile structure was fabricated by the electroless plating of copper on aminated GO cotton fabric. GO was applied on cotton fabric by simple dip and dry method and then amine groups were generated by solvothermal reaction. After that, copper electroless plating was done on aminated GO fabric. According to the results, remarkable EMI SE in different frequency bands was observed in developed fabrics and the maximum EMI SE was about 34 dB at 13.6 GHz. In all the frequency bands ranging between (100 MHz and 13.6 GHz), more than 99.9 % of EMI shielding observed in the developed fabric. Moreover, the developed fabric exhibited high thermal stability and surface resistance of about ∼0.18 Ω/cm. The results of this study clearly showed that the efficacy of EMI shielding developed fabric is a remarkable strategy for controlling electromagnetic radiation pollution exposing humans.

Modifying 3D composite textiles as functional panels

Honeycomb fabric-reinforced composites have been widely used recently, due to their prominent properties, when compared to other materials. This is because they are lighter in weight and stronger than other materials. Thus, they can absorb different types of energies, such as mechanical and thermal energies. A multi-layer fabric is developed by creating a unique fabric structure, to enable the presence of air voids within the panels produced, which diminishes the heat transfer rate through the material. The structure applied in samples used in this manuscript is novel, as it consists of a 3D fabric produced using a traditional loom with a special technique, by dividing the warp yarns into four layers. A skin of textile, produced from textile wastes, is applied, along with the technique of hardening the 3D fabrics to keep the open areas in the structure with the aid of pre-designed pins and a resin. The composite panel was produced with the pins used to open the fabric’s structure, and the resin was applied as a matrix holding the structure and keeping its dimensions. Panels of the 3D fabric-reinforced composite obtained from cotton and polyester yarns were produced, to achieve thermal insulation and good mechanical properties, which enable the use of the fabric in various applications. The fabric has two panels of each material, one with skin and the other without skin. This skin consists of low-quality fabric, mainly made from textile wastes. The physical and mechanical characteristics of the developed panels were measured. Functional performance, such as thermal and sound properties, were also measured. Testing thermal conductivity, it was found that panels made of cotton had higher conductivity than panels made of polyester. In addition, the presence of the skin improved the thermal insulation and mechanical strength of the panels compared to those without skin. In mechanical testing, polyester-based panels showed better mechanical properties than panels based on cotton. In sound absorption testing, all samples reached the limits for sound absorption. The number of layers affected the sound absorption coefficient (SAC) and the noise reduction coefficient (NRC). Also, the presence of the skin improved NRC. Finally, all samples had an aesthetic appearance, due to the presence of surface waves, but the sample containing the polyester material, with double layers, and the laminated skin made of waste fabric had the highest functional panel performance, in terms of radar chart areas. This means that it can be used in the field of architecture as a façade panel or as an indoor wall used for isolation, which do not require paint.

Enhancing Force Absorption, Stress-Strain and Thermal Properties of Weft-Knitted Inlay Spacer Fabric Structures for Apparel Applications.

The pursuit of materials that offer both wear comfort and protection for functional and protective clothing has led to the exploration of weft-knitted spacer structures. Traditional cushioning materials such as spacer fabrics and laminated foam often suffer from deformation under compression stresses, thus compromising their protective properties. This study investigates the enhancement of the force absorption, stress-strain, and thermal properties of weft-knitted spacer fabrics with inlays. Surface yarns with superior stretchability and thermal properties are used and combined with elastic yarns in various patterns to fabricate nine different inlay samples. The mechanical and thermal properties of these samples are systematically analyzed, including their compression, stretchability, thermal comfort, and surface properties. The results show that the inlay spacer fabric exhibits superior compression properties and thermal conductivity compared to traditional laminated foam and spacer fabrics while maintaining stretchability, thus providing better performance than traditional fabrics for protective clothing and wearable cushioning products. This study further confirms that the type of inlay yarn and inlay structure are crucial factors that significantly influence the thermal, tensile, and compressive properties of the fabric. This research provides valuable insights into the design and development of advanced textile structures to improve wear comfort and protection in close-fitting apparel applications.