Flax/PP Weft-knitted Thermoplastic Composites and its Tensile Properties

Abstract

Flax/polypropylene (PP) weft-knitted environmentally friendly technical composites were developed. The relationship between the tensile properties of some composites and volume fractions as well as knitting structures was investigated. Analysis revealed that the full-gage rib was superior to the 1 × 1 rib as far as the tensile strength of the laminates was concerned. The research concluded that 50 : 50 volume fraction of flax/PP was considered to be optimum when the tensile strength was the major concern. The laying direction of the fabric in the laminates played an important role for the composite strength.