Cut-resistance of elastic high-performance composite yarn

Abstract

Soft and lightweight personal protective equipment for civil or military use that is made of cut-resistant textiles is usually rigid and heavy, less elastic or flexible. Insertion of elastane fiber during the fabrication of rigid textiles seems to be working, but actually is not. Therefore, it presents a severe challenge in achieving an appropriate balance among elasticity, flexibility, and protection. To address this issue, an elastic cut-resistant composite yarn is fabricated by single wrapping ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene around elastic Spandex. The effects of wrapping parameters (including the twist, spindle speed, and yarn combination) on yarn elasticity and coverage are investigated to achieve a perfect wrapping, and the cut-resistance of the composite yarn is evaluated by using a self-improved AUTOGRAPH universal testing machine. It demonstrates that the cutting process of the composite yarn consists of four stages, the cut modulus and yarn elasticity are highly correlated with yarn structure and wrapping process parameters. The optimizing coverage and cut-resistance are achieved when the twist is 750 t/m, which is also with a high elastic recovery rate (79.79%) and low plastic deformation rate (10.11%). Groups of parallelized composite yarns with varying densities are fabricated by self-improved sample holders to simulate the cut-resistant weaving fabrics with different weaving densities, of which the cut-resistance is evaluated. The resistance against cutting varies significantly among different groups, which is directly proportional to their densities. Finally, two types of elastic cut-resistant fabrics with different structures are woven from fabricated elastic cut-resistant composite yarns practically. Both weft-backed weave and the double-layer weave fabrics have good flexibility and protection, of which the cut-resistance is level 1 and level 2, respectively. Thus, the composite yarn has an excellent elasticity and maintained cut-resistance, which is an ideal material for the production of highly elastic protective textiles.