The effect of loop density on the tensile behavior of biaxial weft knitted composites using both experimental tests and numerical method

Abstract

In this study, a high-tenacity polyester was used to produce biaxial weft knitted fabric in three different loop densities. All of the composite samples were manufactured using the vacuum injection process. Epoxy resin was used as the matrix in the composite samples. Tensile tests in the course and wale directions were carried out on all samples. The results showed that the tensile strength and the elastic modulus of the composites were improved by increasing the loop density. On the other hand, multi-scale finite element modeling was employed to predict the elastic constants and the tensile strength of the composites. In this method, unit-cells of biaxial weft knitted fabrics with a script were modeled by ABAQUS finite element software in the meso scale. Periodic boundary conditions were applied to the unit-cells. Stiffness matrices of composites were calculated by a python code. In the macro model, a shell geometry was created and the elastic constants calculated from the meso scale were assigned to the macro model. The tensile strength of composites in the course and wale directions was predicted by the Tsai-Wu failure criterion equations. The numerical results had a good agreement with the experimental ones. According to the numerical results, the difference in the loop densities as the inputs data could be used and elastic constants and strength of composites in the course and wale directions could be obtained. So, this model is a useful method to predict the tensile behavior of biaxial weft knitted composites with different geometries.