EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL-STUDIES OF THE ELASTIC BEHAVIOR OF KNITTED-FABRIC COMPOSITES

This paper presents experimental and theoretical studies of the elasti c 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 per formed, and Young's moduli along the warp and weft directions and shea r modulus determined. lit order to correlate the preform microstructur e with composite elastic properties, geometric models for plain-stitch and rib-stitch fabric composites were developed. Modeling of the elas tic 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 compos ites are discussed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Limited.