Mechanical properties of the surface membrane of lattice spacer-fabric flexible inflatable composites

Abstract

The surface membrane plays a vital role in bearing loads of flexible inflatable composites. In this work, the mechanical properties of the upper and lower surfaces of inflatable composites and spacer fabrics were studied. It focused on the changes in mechanical properties of surfaces of spacer fabrics with different structures after coating and damage characteristics. The results show that the PVC resin improves the mechanical properties of the surface, which penetrates into the structure to make the yarns bond to each other and adhere to the resin on the surface. And compared with knitted structures, composite membranes with a woven structure have the characteristics of specific strength. This provides data accumulation for performance research of flexible inflatable composites, finite element calculation analysis, and the experimental reference for broadening the application in military pontoons and marching tents.